BMSC: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
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BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Phyllis N. Horns, Interim Dean of the Brody School of Medicine
John Lehman, Associate Dean for Health Sciences Research
George J. Kasperek, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies
The Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and
Immunology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology offer graduate programs for the degree of
doctor of philosophy. The Brody School of Medicine and the departments of Biology and Chemistry offer
the degree of doctor of philosophy in interdisciplinary biological sciences. An interdisciplinary master of
science degree in biomedical sciences is also offered. The educational objectives of these programs are
to foster scholarship, critical analysis, and creative research activity in a particular field of study. In
selecting candidates for admission, the departments give careful attention to individual aptitudes and
career goals and design their curricula to complement the students’ baccalaureate experiences. Each
candidate is encouraged to acquire a broad understanding of human biology in both health and disease
and to gain authoritative knowledge in a specific area.
Doctoral studies in the Brody School of Medicine provide opportunities for students to have frequent
contact with a wide variety of health science professionals who are concerned with problems relating to
human biology. All of the departments are excellently equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation
necessary for preparative and analytical procedures. Specialized facilities are also available for cell and
tissue culture, virological studies, and for the handling of pathogenic and recombinant agents.
Each department considers the laboratory as the major setting for the education of its doctoral
candidates. Students are encouraged to begin research activity immediately upon entering the program
and are assigned to staff members who supervise them in aspects of a research problem compatible with
part-time laboratory work. Students are provided the opportunity to rotate among several faculty, within
and outside of a department, before selecting a thesis preceptor.
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TIME LIMITS FOR COMPLETION OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A doctoral degree program must be completed before the end of the twelfth semester, excluding
summers, following initial enrollment. With endorsement of the student’s advisory committee and the
departmental chairperson, a student may request one extension of not more than two semesters,
summers included.
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences
(IDPBS)
Donald R. Hoffman, Interim Program Director
The interdisciplinary doctoral program in biological sciences brings together students and faculty from
multiple disciplines to study a broad variety of interesting biological phenomena. The interdisciplinary
program is 59-66 s.h., including 11-12 s.h. from the general and molecular/cellular core curricula, at least
30 s.h. from the research core and at least 18 s.h. from a specific concentration. The concentrations are:
biology; biomedical science; and pharmaceutical chemistry. Other appropriate graduate-level courses
may be added by agreement of the research advisor, graduate program director, and the IDPBS advisory
committee.
Core Curriculum for IDPBS
General Core .........................................................................................................................................8 s.h.
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8815 (1 s.h., taken 3 times)................................................................................3 s.h.
HUMS 7004......................................................................................................................................2 s.h.
BIOS 7022 or PSYC 6430 or PHAR 7777........................................................................................3 s.h.
Molecular/Cellular Core......................................................................................................................3-4 s.h.
Choose 3-4 s.h. from the following;
ANAT 7202; BIOC 7301, 7310; BIOL 7480, 7481, 7870; CHEM 6535; MCBI 7410
Research Core ...............................................................................................................................30-36 s.h.
Must complete the minimum hours specified in each of the three courses below:
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8810.................................................................................................................3-6 s.h.
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8830.............................................................................................................10-15 s.h.
BIOL/CHEM/PATH 9000...........................................................................................................12-18 s.h.
Concentration: See program director for concentration requirements.................................................18 s.h.
BISC: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
8810. Methods and Techniques in Experimental Biological Sciences (3) Formerly PATH 6810 May
be repeated. P: Consent of course director. One semester rotation through research laboratories
supervised by program faculty members.
8815. Seminar in Biological Sciences (1) May be repeated for credit. P: Consent of course director.
Presentations on research or critical review of current literature topics by students in IDPBS program.
Seminar presentation.
MS in Biomedical Science
[INSERT NAME OF PROGRAM DIRECTOR], Program Director
The master of science degree in biomedical science is an interdisciplinary degree program administered
by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies of the Brody School of Medicine. This research oriented
program prepares students for employment in the biomedical industry or provides research training and
experience for students interested in more advanced study leading to PhD or MD degrees.
Each applicant must meet the admission requirements of the university, and make satisfactory scores on
the Graduate Record Examination. The requirement for the Graduate Record Examination is not required
for applicants enrolled in medical school or with an MD degree. Each entering student should consult the
program director prior to beginning course work. Medical students require the permission of the dean of
the Brody School of Medicine to enroll in this MS degree program.
In addition to the course work (see below) each student must complete a research-based thesis, a
comprehensive defense of thesis proposal, a seminar based on thesis research, and a thesis defense.
The curriculum for students entering with a bachelor’s degree consists of a minimum of 38 s.h. as follows:
Core Courses: BMSC 6113 (3 s.h.), 6121 (4 s.h.), 6133 (3 s.h.), 7000 (6 s.h.); BIOC 7301(4 s.h.); ANAT
7202 or MCBI 7410 (4 s.h.); PHAR 7777 or BIOS 7021(3 s.h.); HUMS 7004 (2 s.h.)
Electives: Select a minimum of 9 s.h. of electives approved by the program director at the 6000 or 7000
level.
The curriculum of students enrolled in medical school or with MD degrees consists of 24 s.h as follows:
BMSC 6113 (3 s.h.), 6121 (2 s.h.), 6133 (3 s.h.), 6136(6 s.h.), 7000 (6 s.h.); ANAT 7202 or MCBI 7410 (4
s.h.)
BMSC: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
6113. Introduction to Biomedical Research (3) P: Consent of program director. Research rotations in
several different laboratories.
6121. Seminar in Biomedical Science (1) Registration for fall and spring required. P: Consent of
program director. Formal seminars and student critiques of current literature in biomedical science.
6133, 6136. Biomedical Research (3,6) May be repeated. P: Consent of program director. Design of
experimental protocols and participation in preceptor’s research program.
6141, 6142, 6143. Directed Study (1,2,3) May be repeated for a maximum o f 3 s.h. P: Consent of
program director. Investigates current research and methodology in biomedical science.
7000. Thesis (3) May be repeated. May count a maximum of 6 s.h.
PROGRAM COURSES
The courses indicated by an asterisk are required of all doctoral candidates in their specific program.
Some courses carry variable hours of credit.
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INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Donald R. Hoffman, Interim Program Director
The interdisciplinary program in biological sciences brings together students and faculty from multiple
disciplines to study a broad variety of interesting biological phenomena. The interdisciplinary program is
59-66 s.h., including 11-12 s.h. from the general and molecular/cellular core curricula, at least 30 s.h.
from the research core and at least 18 s.h. from a specific concentration. The concentrations are: biology;
biomedical science; and pharmaceutical chemistry. Other appropriate graduate-level courses may be
added by agreement of the research advisor, graduate program director, and the IDPBS advisory
committee.
Core Curriculum for IDPBS
General Core .........................................................................................................................................8 s.h.
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8815 (1 s.h., taken 3 times)................................................................................3 s.h.
HUMS 7004......................................................................................................................................2 s.h.
BIOS 7022 or PSYC 6430 or PHAR 7777........................................................................................3 s.h.
Molecular/Cellular Core......................................................................................................................3-4 s.h.
Choose 3-4 s.h. from the following;
ANAT 7202; BIOC 7301, 7310; BIOL 7480, 7481, 7870; CHEM 6535; MCBI 7410
Research Core ...............................................................................................................................30-36 s.h.
Must complete the minimum hours specified in each of the three courses below:
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8810.................................................................................................................3-6 s.h.
BISC/BIOL/CHEM 8830.............................................................................................................10-15 s.h.
BIOL/CHEM/PATH 9000...........................................................................................................12-18 s.h.
Concentration: See program director for concentration requirements.................................................18 s.h.
BISC: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
8810. Methods and Techniques in Experimental Biological Sciences (3) Formerly PATH 6810 May
be repeated. P: Consent of course director. One semester rotation through research laboratories
supervised by program faculty members.
8815. Seminar in Biological Sciences (1) May be repeated for credit. P: Consent of course director.
Presentations on research or critical review of current literature topics by students in IDPBS program.
Seminar presentation.
8820. Current Topics in Biomedical Research (2) Formerly PATH 6820 May be repeated. P: Consent
of course director. Topics reflect new scientific developments.
8830. Introduction to Research (5) Formerly PATH 6830 May be repeated. P: Consent of course
director. Assignment to faculty preceptor during second year of graduate school. Design of experimental
protocols and participation in preceptor’s research program.