May 31, 2026

2025-2026 University Catalog

HELP

2025-2026 University Catalog

Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.

Program Requirements

GPA and grade requirements: Minimum overall GPA of 3.0; minimum grade of “C+” in all courses

Note: Per the Degree/Certificate Standards Policy, no more than 25% of credits may be taken at the 500 level

Core Courses (9-10 credits)

BMSC 664 Research Models & Methods Credits: 2
BMSC 665 Scientific Logic Credits: 3
MGRD 650 Practice & Ethics of Science Credits: 1
Select one (3-4 cr.)
BMSC 620 Introduction to Biostatistics Credits: 3 (recommended)
BMI 551 / BMI 651 Bioinformatics & Computational Biomedicine II: Statistical Methods Credits: 4

Basic Biomedical Content (8 credits)

Select two:
BMSC 661 Structure & Function of Biological Molecules Credits: 3
BMSC 662 Genetic Mechanisms & Bioregulation Credits: 3
BMSC 663 Molecular & Cell Biology Credits: 3
Select one:
BMSC 666 Chemical Biology Innovators Credits: 2
BMSC 667 Principles of Physiology Credits: 2
BMSC 668 Molecular Biophysics & Structural Bioinformatics Credits: 2
BMSC 669 Fundamentals of Immunology Credits: 2
PHPH 618 Receptor Pharmacology Credits: 2

Communication and Professional Development Courses (9 credits)

Select from the following:

BEST 607 Neuroscience & Career Pathways Credits: 1
BMI 670 Scientific Writing & Communication for Informatics Students Credits: 3
BMSC 610 Data Rigor & Reproducibility Credits: 1 (recommended)
BMSC 611 Introductory Scientific Writing Credits: 1 (recommended)
BMSC 612 Writing a Fellowship Proposal Credits: 1 (recommended)
BMSC 621 Searching & Information Management Credits: 1
BMSC 622 Scientific Posters Credits: 1
BMSC 630 Professional Practicum Credits: 1 to 9
BMSC 631 Professional Experience Credits: 1 to 4
BMSC 660 Short scientific talks Credits: 1 (recommended)
CONJ 640 Professional Development Fundamentals Credits: 1
HIP 530 Leadership Skills in Team Science Credits: 2
HIP 531 Project Management Credits: 2
MGRD 628 Teaching Practicum/Assistantship Credits: 1 to 9
NEUS 644 Racial Equity in Scientific Research & Beyond Credits: 3

Journal Club (11 credits)

Select from the following:

BMSC 608 PBMS Journal Club Series Credits: 0.5
Any course with prefix BCMB, BEST, BME, BMI, BMSC, CANB, CELL, CONJ, MBIM, MGEN, NEUS, PHPH numbered 605A-F, 606, or 606A-B

Dissertation (27 credits)

BMSC 603 Dissertation Credits: 1 to 16 (27 credits required)

Additional Courses (70-71 credits)

Can be met by any of the following:

BMSC 601 Research Credits: 1 to 16
BMSC 603 Dissertation Credits: 1 to 16
MGEN 611 Departmental Grand Rounds Credits: 1
MGRD 660 Fall Intersession: Writing a Review Credits: 1 to 3
Advanced Electives: Any 500- or 600-level course with prefix BCMB, BEHN, BEST, BME, BMI, BMSC, CANB, CELL, CONJ, HIP, MBIM, MGEN, NEUS, PHPH, including Seminar courses

Non-course Requirements

Milestone tracking paper 1
Milestone tracking paper 2
Qualifying examination
Doctoral dissertation and defense

Total Credits for Completion: 135

Requirements for a Change in Degree Objective from Ph.D. to M.S. (45 credits)

Requirements Detailed in the Ph.D. (35-36 credits)

Core Courses Credits: 9-10
Basic Biomedical Content Credits: 8
Communication and Professional Development Courses Credits: 9
Journal Club (only 9 credits required for the M.S.)

Master’s Research and Thesis (10-11 credits)

Any combination of

MGEN 503 Thesis Credits: 1 to 16
BMSC 601 Research Credits: 1 to 16
BMSC 603 Dissertation Credits: 1 to 16
At least 1 credit must be in MGEN 503 or BMSC 603

Non-course Requirements

Milestone tracking paper 1
Milestone tracking paper 2
Thesis and Defense