phd in medical biology

Human Genetics and Genomics, PhD

School of medicine, ph.d. program.

The Johns Hopkins Human Genetics Training Program provides a training in all aspects of human genetics and genomics relevant to human biology, health and disease. 

Advances in human genetics and genomics continue at an astounding rate and increasingly they are being integrated into medical practice. The Human Genetics Program aims to educate highly motivated and capable students with the knowledge and experimental tools that will enable them to answer important questions at the interface between genetics and medicine. Ultimately, our trainees will be the leaders in delivering the promise of genetics to human health.

The overall objective of the Human Genetics program is to provide our students with a strong foundation in basic science by exposure to a rigorous graduate education in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and biostatistics as well as a core of medically-related courses selected to provide knowledge of human biology in health and disease. 

This program is also offered as training for medical students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program.  Students apply to the combined program at the time of application to the M.D. program. (See section entitled Medical Scientist Training Program).

Research Facilities

Research laboratories are well equipped to carry out sophisticated research in all areas of genetics. The proximity to renown clinical facilities of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, including the Department of Genetic Medicine, and Oncology Center provides faculty and students with access to a wealth of material for study. Computer and library facilities are excellent. Laboratories involved in the Human Genetics Program span Johns Hopkins University; consequently supporting facilities are extensive.

Financial Aid

The program is supported by a training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. These fellowships, which are restricted to United States citizens and permanent United States residents, cover tuition, health care insurance and a stipend during year one.  Once a student has joined a thesis lab, all financial responsibilities belong to the mentor.   Students are encouraged, however, to apply for fellowships from outside sources (e.g., the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Scholars Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute) before entering the program.

Applicants for admission should show a strong academic foundation with coursework in biology, chemistry and quantitative analysis.   Applicants are encouraged to have exposure to lab research or to data science.  A bachelor's degree from a qualified college or university will be required for matriculation.  GREs are no longer required.

The Human Genetics site has up-to-date information on “ How to Apply .” For questions not addressed on these pages, please access the contact imformation listed on the program page: Human Genetics and Genomics Training Program | Johns Hopkins Department of Genetic Medicine (hopkinsmedicine.org) .

Program Requirements

The program includes the following required core courses: Advanced Topics in Human Genetics, Evolving Concept of the Gene, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Cell Structure and Dynamics, Computational Bootcamp,  Pathways and Regulation, Genomic Technologies, Rigor and Reproducibility in Research, and Systems, Genes and Mechanisms of Disease. Numerous elective courses are available and are listed under sponsoring departments.

Our trainees must take a minimum of four electives, one of which must provide computational/statistical training.

The HG program requires the “OPTIONS” Career Curriculum offered by the Professional Development and Career Office.  OPTIONS is designed to provide trainees with the skills for career building and the opportunity for career exploration as well as professional development training

Human Genetics trainees also take a two-week course in July at the Jackson Labs in Bar Harbor, Maine entitled "Human and Mammalian Genetics and Genomics: The McKusick Short Course" which covers the waterfront from basic principles to the latest developments in mammalian genetics. The faculty numbers about 50 and consists roughly in thirds of JAX faculty, Hopkins faculty and “guest” faculty comprising outstanding mammalian geneticists from other US universities and around the world.

The courses offered by the faculty of the program are listed below. All courses are open to graduate students from any university program as well as selected undergraduates with permission of the course director.

Trainees must complete three research rotations before deciding on their thesis lab.  They must also participate in the Responsible Conduct of Research sessions offered by the Biomedical Program; starting at year 3, students must attend at least two Research Integrity Colloquium lectures per year. 

Our trainees participate in weekly journal clubs, department seminars, monthly Science & Pizza presentations as well as workshops given twice a year on diversity, identity and culture.

At the end of the second year, trainees take their Doctoral Board Oral Examination.  Annual thesis committee meetings must be held following successful completion of this exam.

Average time for completion is 5.3 years.

Graduates from the Human Genetics program pursue careers in academia, medicine, industry, teaching, government, law, as well the private sector.  Our trainees are encouraged to explore the full spectrum of professional venues in which their training my provide a strong foundation. Driven by curiosity and a desire for excellence, our trainees stand out as leaders in the chosen arenas of professional life. They are supported in the development of their career plans by a program faculty and administration who are dedicated to their success, and by a myriad of support networks across the Johns Hopkins University, many of which are provided by the Professional Development Career Office of the School of Medicine.

PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health

Prepare for a high-impact academic or research career at the forefront of the biological sciences in public health..

As a student in the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, you will gain expertise in the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect thousands—even millions—of people. Working with leading public health scientists, you will learn both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research, while specializing in one of four areas of investigation:

• The metabolic basis of health and disease
• Immunology and infectious diseases
• Gene-environment interactions
• Inflammation and stress responses

Each area of investigation emphasizes biochemical, cell biological, and genetic approaches to understanding disease. In your research, whether basic or translational, you will apply cutting-edge tools and techniques to advance the understanding, treatment, and prevention of human diseases that significantly impact global populations today. Current research within our laboratories includes these and other diseases and risk factors:

• Atherosclerosis
• Chagas’ disease
• Environmental exposure to toxins
• Inflammatory diseases
• Kidney disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Tuberculosis

As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared for a career as a faculty member in a college, university, medical school, research institute, or school of public health. You may also choose to pursue a career in research at a government agency, or in the private sector at a consulting, biotech, or pharmaceutical firm.

The program provides broad interdisciplinary knowledge of both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research and prepares graduate students for research careers with courses in the following areas:

• Biochemistry, Genetics
• Biostatistics
• Cell biology
• Epidemiology
• Immunology/Infectious diseases
• Molecular biology
• Toxicology/Cancer cell biology

All students admitted to the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, including international students, are guaranteed full funding, which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance for five years, provided they maintain satisfactory progress.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

To qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for the vigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in the sciences.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Like all PhD (doctor of philosophy) programs at the School, the PhD in biological sciences in public health is offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system . The program is located within the Division of Biological Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

OUR COMMUNITY: COMMITTED, ACCOMPLISHED, COLLABORATIVE

As a PhD candidate in the biological sciences in public health program, you will be part of a diverse and accomplished group of students with a broad range of research and other interests. The opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas outside of the classroom will be one of the most rewarding and productive parts of the program. The School fosters those relationships by sponsoring an “informal curriculum” of seminars, journal clubs, retreats, and other opportunities that will broaden your knowledge, hone your presentation skills, and teach you how to critically evaluate scientific literature while providing a supportive, collaborative community within which to pursue your degree. Our location in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area—home to Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many world-class hospitals—makes collaboration with eminent laboratory and clinical researchers a natural part of the educational experience. And when you graduate, you will benefit from Harvard’s unparalleled global network of alumni leaders.

LEARN MORE Visit our website at www.hsph.harvard.edu/biological-sciences for more information or contact [email protected]

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Biological and Biomedical Sciences

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Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)  is an area of study within the Division of Medical Sciences, an administrative unit based at Harvard Medical School that coordinates biomedical PhD activities at the Longwood Medical Area. Students who study in BBS receive a PhD in medical sciences. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Division of Medical Sciences” as your program choice and select "Biological and Biomedical Sciences" in the area of study menu.

This program trains you in the biosciences, starting with core training in contemporary genetics; biochemistry; and molecular, cellular, and mechanistic biology. You can customize your curriculum to allow you to align with your research interests.

You will have access to a vast wealth of resources, including more than 700 faculty, top scientists, core facilities and hospitals, cutting-edge research, and an extensive alumni network. You will be in close proximity to top nationwide hospitals and research centers and more than 130 biotech, biopharma, and pharmaceutical companies that have biological and biomedical sciences (BBS) alumni on staff.

Examples of specific student projects include “Development of nucleic acid detection methods for object provenance and viral diagnostics,” “Interrogating genetic diversity in Mycobacterium abscessus with transposon-sequencing,” and “Sexual dimorphism in hair follicle stem cells.”

Graduates of the program have secured faculty positions at such prestigious institutions as New York University, University of Minnesota, Harvard University, and University of Illinois. Others have gone on to careers with leading companies such as Novartis and the Broad Institute. Derrick Rossi, cofounder of Moderna, is a graduate of the BBS program.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted GRE Subject: Not Accepted iBT TOEFL minimum score: 100 IELTS minimum score: 7

See list of Biological and Biomedical Sciences faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Biomedical PhD Programs

The following programs are administered in the School of Medicine by the  Office of Biomedical Graduate Education  (OBGE).

Each PhD program has its own course work and preliminary exam requirements, but all programs follow a general academic pattern. The first year is generally devoted to course work and laboratory rotations. At the beginning of the second year, students enter their thesis labs, finish course work and assemble dissertation committees. At the end of the second year, students complete their preliminary exam, which is generally based on their proposed dissertation project. After passing the preliminary exam, the student is fully devoted to research. Some programs have a teaching requirement but all students can serve as teaching assistants with the approval of their dissertation mentor.

Learn more about specific departmental requirements, offerings, leadership, and faculty on each program’s webpage.

• Biochemistry
• Biostatistics
• Cell & Molecular Biology *
• Cell Biology  (non-admitting)
• Cognitive Neuroscience † *
• Computational Biology & Bioinformatics *
• Developmental & Stem Cell Biology † *
• Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program † *
• Medical Physics
• Medical Scientist Training Program - MD/PhD
• Molecular Cancer Biology
• Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
• Neurobiology
• Pharmacology
• Population Health Sciences
• University Program in Genetics & Genomics *

† Admitting program

Admitting interdisciplinary programs offer students an opportunity to develop foundational skills with interdisciplinary faculty from the admitting program in the first two years of study. Students then affiliate into a degree-granting program to join a lab, continue study, and earn the Ph.D. degree.

*Interdisciplinary program

Interdisciplinary programs offer training from faculty from across Duke departments who bring together valuable field knowledge from a variety of academic perspectives. Some interdisciplinary programs are admitting programs and constitute only the first two years of training; others are degree-granting and see students through the entire PhD degree. Admitting programs are denoted with a †.

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Discover the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Ph.d. program, ph.d. program overview.

At Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, you’ll discover a unique research training environment of academic inquiry and scientific discovery, combined with exceptional intellectual and technological resources designed to help you achieve your highest scientific career goals.

Through the Ph.D. program, you’ll acquire a broad expertise in biomedical science with the opportunity to go deeper into your primary area of research interest.

year average time to degree

Best graduate school rankings

a top school for biological sciences as ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Guaranteed 5-year internal fellowship

includes full tuition, stipend, and benefits

Whether you’re preparing for graduate school or applying now, the Mayo Clinic experience for biomedical science Ph.D. students is different.

Program highlights:

• Research training by leading investigators in fields ranging from molecules to populations, all in the context of exceptional health care.
• Embedded within a top academic medical center, you’ll have access to clinical data from more than 6 million patient histories.
• A Career Development Internship program where senior students experience networking opportunities in career settings different from those of their research mentors.
• A national destination for research training of students from backgrounds underrepresented in science. Mayo’s NIH-funded IMSD is more than two decades old, and Mayo invented the NIH PREP concept.
• Join about 250 students who have access to 300+ faculty members in small class sizes.
• 87% of graduates since 1989 are employed in academia or industry.
• Three campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona with diverse research opportunities.
• Every student is awarded a fellowship for five years that fully covers tuition.
• Ph.D. students receive a stipend and health benefits.

See yourself here

Hear from students and faculty to get an idea of what it's like to learn here, live here, and be a Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

"I can be the scientist I want to be"

Choosing your area of specialization

You'll choose from one of eight  biomedical science specialty tracks within our Ph.D. Program. Track choice is indicated during the application process and confirmed after admission. But you'll be able to do research and learn in any Mayo laboratory that interests you, even if it's not within your track.

Perspectives on our Ph.D. Program

"Collaboration is massive here"

Collaborative research and learning environment

The hallmark of research at Mayo Clinic is the highly collaborative interaction that occurs between investigators in basic science and clinical areas. While each investigator has a competitively funded independent lab, collaboration with graduate students and staff across the institution is common. As a Ph.D. student, you’re free to select any Mayo mentor, regardless of which track you choose.

"Allowed me to build my own team"

Teaching opportunities

Tutoring and teaching opportunities are available and optional for our Ph.D. students. If you’re interested in developing these skills, serving as a tutor or a teaching assistant can help cement the knowledge you gain from your coursework.

Application window

Apply between Sept. 1 and Dec. 4 for the following academic year.

To get in touch with the Ph.D. Program, fill out the form on the Contact Us page .

Ph.D. and master's degree program catalog (2023-2024), rev. 5-11-23

Virtual visits

Explore our virtual visit options or sign up for a video chat to get a personalized look at our program.

Ph.D. Program

The training for a Ph.D. in Biology is focused on helping students achieve their goals of being a successful research scientist and teacher, at the highest level. Students work closely with an established advisor and meet regularly with a committee of faculty members to facilitate their progress. The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger Biosciences community at Stanford, which includes doctorate programs in the basic science departments at Stanford Medical School. 

There are two tracks within the Biology Ph.D. program:

• Cell, Molecular and Organismal Biology
• Ecology and Evolution

(Previously a part of the Department of Biology Hopkins Marine Station is now a part of the Oceans Department within  Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability )

All  tracks are focused on excellence in research and teaching in their respective areas; where there are differences between the tracks, they are indicated in the links below. 

Requirements & Forms

Dissertation defense, cellular and molecular biology training program, stanford biology ph.d. preview program, career development resources.

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) is an area of study within the Division of Medical Sciences, a unit based at Harvard Medical School that coordinates biomedical Ph.D. activities at the Longwood Medical Area. The Ph.D. Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) offers training in the biosciences, built outward from core training in contemporary genetics, biochemistry, and molecular, cellular, and mechanistic biology. BBS provides a rigorous, nimble biomedical education, equipping trainees with tools to bring about scientific breakthroughs and to launch entrepreneurial paths in academics, industry, and education.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Offered By: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Onsite | Full-Time | 5 years

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About the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Program

Through a departmental core curriculum as well as research area-specific courses, laboratory rotations, qualifying examinations, mentored research, and professional development, all MMI PhD students are prepared to engage in cutting edge research and scholarship that advances knowledge. MMI PhD students hone their scholarship, research and professional skills. Course and laboratory work can address problems in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, disease transmission, and diseases related to malaria, mosquito and arboviral biology.

Students can choose to complete the traditional MMI PhD program or the MMI PhD program concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM). The concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM) conveys a broad background in immunology and infectious diseases research, with a special emphasis on critical thinking, logic, ethics, and written and oral skills to help graduates become communicators of complex scientific concepts and agents of change in their workplaces and communities.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Molecular Microbiology And Immunology?

Sample careers.

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate
• Science Communicator or Writer
• Scientist (academia, industry)
• Specialist in Science Regulatory Affairs
• Faculty, Professor
• Science Advocate (nonprofit agencies)
• Public Health Service (NIH, CDC, FDA)
• Science Policy Fellow

Curriculum for the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Current students can view the MMI student handbook on the MMI portal site.

Topic Areas

MMI faculty are recognized experts in a wide variety of infectious diseases research areas, allowing our PhD students to study the biology of disease based on their research interests and career goals. Our PhD students gain a comprehensive understanding of infectious diseases that provides a foundation to launch careers that directly tackle critical public health challenges.  

Topic Areas include: 

• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Cell biology 
• Fungal pathogenesis 
• Medical entomology/Disease ecology
• Parasite pathogenesis 
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice
• Tick-borne diseases
• Vaccine development 
• Vector biology
• Viral pathogenesis

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are  optional  for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2023. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2023 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

All full-time PhD students will receive the following support for all years of the program: stipend, full tuition, individual health insurance, University Health Services clinic fee, vision insurance, and dental insurance.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU  starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Alex Kim , Senior Academic Program Coordinator  Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 615 North Wolfe Street, Room E5014 Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Fax: (410) 955-0105

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• Supplementary PhD Programs

Medical Biology PhD Program

2 Minute read

The Medical Biology PhD Program is a supplementary learning opportunity to enrich your graduate research experience. The program offers an opportunity to share your research with other disciplines and expand your peer network.

You can find existing Graduate Research courses using our Find a Course search tool.

This PhD Program is a supplementary learning opportunity that will enrich your graduate research experience.

When you join our PhD Program, you will work with others who share a passion for research related to medical biology. You’ll connect with graduate researchers from other disciplines. And you’ll engage with relevant external organisations.

The program will expand your knowledge in key areas. You will learn more about:

• medical biology
• research management
• commercialisation of research
• clinical translation.

Our multidisciplinary PhD program provides many benefits. You will:

• broaden your research experience
• enhance your career prospects
• access a range of activities that are not part of your core PhD studies
• extend your networks across the University and external organisations.

The Medical Biology PhD Program is delivered by the Department of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne. When you join, you will undertake research training at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Learn more about the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

This institute is affiliated with the University of Melbourne. It provides a scientific environment of innovation, collaboration and excellence. Research from the institute has won prestigious awards, including:

• The Nobel Prize
• Albert Lasker Awards
• Royal Society Medals
• The Australia Prize.

As a graduate researcher, you will work in a supportive and collegiate working environment. We value and promote diversity and gender equity.

Our intensive research environment includes:

• senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows and research assistants
• professional staff
• technical support services
• a Scientific Education Office
• opportunities to develop diverse professional skills that will benefit your future.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has expertise in fundamental and translational research in many fields, including:

• Bioinformatics
• Computational biology
• Cancer biology
• Chemical biology
• Drug development
• Clinical translation
• Epigenetics
• Immunotherapy
• Infectious disease
• Inflammation
• Personalised medicine
• Stem cells and developmental biology
• Structural biology

Find more information about our PhD Program opportunities .

The program gives you access to a wide range of activities that will enhance your core PhD studies. These include academic, professional and career development opportunities. You will receive intensive training in a supportive environment. This experience will prepare you for a dynamic scientific career.

The Walter and Eliza Institute provides the following opportunities as part of this program:

• Weekly postgraduate seminar series, including events within the Institute and graduate researcher completion seminars
• Internal internship program
• Mentoring program
• Professional development and career workshops
• Leadership opportunities through institute committees and the student association.

Discover detailed program information .

Participate

To take part in the Medical Biology PhD Program, you must:

• be enrolled in a PhD at the University of Melbourne
• have a PhD supervisor who is based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

If you’re a current University of Melbourne PhD candidate

• Talk with your supervisor about participating.
• Contact our Scientific Education Office.

If you want to apply for a PhD with us

• Explore PhD opportunities at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
• See details of the candidature application process .
• Once you’re accepted as a PhD candidate, contact our Scientific Education Office.

First published on 22 February 2022.

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Investigating biological structure, function, development, and evolution at the organismal level

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PhDs in Biomedical Sciences

The Coordinated Doctoral Programs in Biomedical Sciences are part of the medical school and the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The programs are located at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus. PhD students have access to more than 250 training faculty when selecting their research direction, ensuring that each student receives optimal training and research experience. We also provide a supportive environment which goes beyond academics. 

Programs include:

• Biomedical Informatics
• Genetics and Development
• Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Neurobiology and Behavior
• Nutritional and Metabolic Biology
• Pathology and Molecular Medicine
• Pharmacology and Molecular Signaling
• Physiology and Cellular Biophysics

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Stritch School of Medicine

Phd program.

The Cellular and Molecular Physiology track trains PhD candidates to acquire, analyze, and integrate data obtained from their basic research into a physiological context to understand the molecular basis of cell function and dysfunction within the organism. With cardiovascular research, neurosciences and metabolism as main research topics, students receive a solid, integrated training in basic medical sciences including Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Pathophysiology. 

The PhD program requires at least four (but usually not more than five) years to complete. The usual PhD plan of study is detailed below. It includes 48 credit hours of supervised research and didactic coursework. Students are expected to fulfill program obligations throughout the entire year but usually do not register for courses during the summer months. Elective courses can be taken instead of some (or all) of research credit hours listed in the second year.

Learn more .  

Requirements

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The general requirements for the PhD degree are listed in the Loyola University /chicago Graduate School Catalog. Only some of those requirements are summarized here. Forty-eight semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree are required (plus dissertation research supervision). The time limit to complete all doctoral work is eight years for students with a bachelor’s degree and five years for students with a master’s degree. Students are required to participate in all departmental activities, such as research seminars, journal clubs, research retreats, and dissertation defenses; students are expected to schedule their research or other activities accordingly.

REQUIRED COURSEWORK

The IPBS PhD program requires students to complete a core curriculum of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Methods, Ethics, Systems Biology, Statistics, Presentation Skills, and three research rotations during the first year.  The director of Graduate Programs will advise first year students in selecting lab rotations and electives with the assistance of individual track Graduate Program Directors (GPDs).  

Students in the Cellular and Molecular Physiology track continue complete the required coursework including Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, and two elective courses of choice; recommended options include Excitability and Ion Transport, Signal Transduction, Structure-Function of Membrane Proteins, Molecular Biology, or other approved electives. Students are required to participate in the Student Journal Club during semesters three, four, and five.  Students in their second, third, and fourth years are required to present one formal seminar annually.  Enrollment in the formal seminar course is required during the second year.  Additional coursework may be required (or desired), depending on the student's specific research interests. Decisions concerning additional coursework must be made with the approval of the student, their dissertation advisor and/or the GPD; a total of 48 credit hours are required for the PhD track.

Some of the information in the following sections is quoted directly from the IPBS handbook.

QUALIFYING EXAM

All students must pass a Qualifying Examination to become a PhD candidate.  The Qualifying Exam is standardized among all IPBS tracks and is administered at the end of the fourth semester after the required coursework is complete. The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to evaluate the student’s competency in the following areas: 1. Hypothesis or Experimental Question: the student must have a hypothesis or experimental question which is clearly stated, testable, and well-justified. The rationale for this hypothesis or question must be clear and the student must be able to defend their proposed hypothesis or question. 2. Experimental Approach: the student must present an experimental approach that is clearly described and logical. The approach must directly test the hypothesis or experimental question; discussion of expected and alternative outcomes, potential pitfalls, and alternative approaches must be included. 3. Background Knowledge: the student must display a deep understanding of the Qualifying Exam topic and supporting literature. Additionally, the student must have broad knowledge of the general biomedical sciences and experimental approaches, especially in their specific track. 4. Oral Presentation: the student must clearly articulate and describe their research proposal. The student must be able to defend their rationale for specific approaches and respond to critiques professionally.  Overall oral communication skills are evaluated in this section.

Please consult the IPBS Handbook for procedural details.

SELECTION OF A DISSERTATION ADVISOR

By the end of the first year, students will have completed the three required laboratory rotations and will select a dissertation advisor and track in consultation with the Director of Graduate Programs and GPD. Students will communicate this decision with the Graduate Program Office via submission of the “IPBS PhD Track & Advisor Selection Form” (Appendix 1). Forms also will be available at the Graduate Program website HERE .

SELECTION OF A DISSERTATION COMMITTEE

As soon as possible after passing the Qualifying Exam, the student will form a PhD Dissertation Committee, consisting of at least five members the student selects in consultation with their advisor. The student's advisor and three members must be members of the Graduate Faculty of the Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences. We recommend that one member is from outside the Program, including from outside the institution. The committee membership must be approved by the GPD and communicated to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, who will have the responsibility of officially appointing the Committee. It is strongly suggested that the Committee be formed by January 1 of the third year and required no later than August 1, at the start of year 4.  n the first meeting, the Committee members will select a Chair who is not the student's advisor. The student should schedule meetings with the Dissertation Committee at least annually to discuss progress or changes of direction in their dissertation work (see “Subsequent Dissertation Committee Meetings” below). The student will initiate the Dissertation Committee form by l ogging into the Graduate Student Progress System (GSPS) .  Once Committee members are entered, the form will be approved (electronically) by the Director of the Dissertation Committee and the Graduate School. (On the GSPS form, the term “Director” refers to the Committee Chair, which is different from the student’s advisor, who should be designated as “Principal Investigator”). Electronic approval from readers on the Committee is not required at this time, but all Committee members will be required to approve the subsequent Dissertation Proposal form and sign the Dissertation Defense form. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary to change the composition of the Dissertation Committee. Because the Committee is an official body appointed by the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, a student must make a formal, written request to the Associate Dean to add or replace any member of the Dissertation Committee (and then a new committee imust be created in the GSPS and approved.

PRESENTATION OF DISSERTATION PROPOSAL (THESIS OUTLINE)

The student will send the Dissertation Committee a written Dissertation Proposal which outlines the dissertation, including: background, specific aims, experimental plan, and bibliography. The proposal should be developed as soon as possible after passing the Qualifying Exam, and no later than August 1, at the start of year 4.  The experimental plan is not binding and can be modified after consultation with the Dissertation Committee. A meeting of the Committee should be scheduled at least two (but not more than four) weeks after submission of the document. At that meeting, the student will defend the Dissertation Proposal during an oral presentation. The Dissertation Committee must approve the Proposal with or without modifications by written vote of the members and submit the written document to the program administration office.

Students must initiate the “Ballot for Approval of a Dissertation Proposal” by logging into the GSPS .  Committee members, the Graduate Program Director and the Associate Dean will approve by electronic signature.

SUBSEQUENT DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS

At least yearly and more frequently if the Dissertation Committee recommends, the student will schedule Committee meetings to evaluate their  progress. Prior to the meeting, the student will submit a Progress Report detailing the experimental work performed since the last Dissertation Committee meeting. Each Committee member will evaluate the progress and the Committee Chair will compile a written report.  This report will be submitted to the Program Administrator, who will distribute it to the student, the GPD, and include it in the student’s file.

STUDENT PROGRESS

The Dissertation Committee plays an essential role in monitoring and evaluating the student’s progress towards completing laboratory experiments, writing, and dissertation defense.  The Committee Chair is responsible for documenting the student’s progress and the results of each Committee meeting. In addition to evaluating the student’s progress, the Dissertation Committee may recommend supplementary didactic courses or training in special methods. These recommendations should be included in the Dissertation Committee's report.

The Dissertation Committee can, and should, encourage timely completion of the degree. In cases where progress is significantly delayed, the Committee (in consultation with the Dissertation Mentor) may recommend conditions to be met and within specific deadlines. Failure to meet such deadlines could result in suspension of stipend support and/or dismissal from the program due to insufficient progress (see “Causes for Dismissal” in the Handbook).

DISSERTATION DEFENSE

The candidate must be registered for the term in which they take their Dissertation Defense. The candidate must send each Dissertation Committee member a complete written document of the Dissertation at least four weeks prior to the defense. All Dissertation Committee members must be present at the defense, unless the Dean of the Graduate School approves the absence. In most cases, presence of an out-of-town committee member via phone will be acceptable. The final, revised document must be approved by all Dissertation Committee members prior to conferring the degree.  At least one week before the defense, a public invitation must be made to the Dean of the Graduate School, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the Health Sciences Campus, the Dean of the Stritch School of Medicine, and the Health Science Campus faculty and students, announcing the oral presentation of the candidate's research and defense. This invitation can be printed as a brochure including the candidate’s curriculum vitae, publications, dissertation abstract, and the constitution of the Dissertation Committee. A 45-minute public, oral presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period, after which a closed examination with the candidate and the Dissertation Committee members will be held. The candidate must successfully defend their dissertation and must demonstrate solid background knowledge of the corresponding field of inquiry. Successful completion of the oral examination requires approval of the Chair and at least three other voting Committee members. The student will make any modifications the Committee requests and submit the final dissertation to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the Health Sciences Campus within a month of the oral defense.

If a student fails to receive the Committee's approval at the oral examination, they may request to schedule a second examination, which must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School, with input from the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the Health Sciences Campus. The GPD  will initiate the Thesis/Dissertation Defense form  and will be instructed to submit a pdf of the approved (paper) Dissertation Defense Form. Electronic approvals of the Graduate School will follow.

During the first year, students become familiar with all potential research mentors in the Research Rotations and gain hands-on research experience during three, 10-week research rotations. For each rotation, students will have a desk and study space in one of the Physiology faculty's lab.   The faculty member sponsoring the laboratory rotation and the student will plan and implement various laboratory research experiences during the 10 weeks. Ensuring adequate time for coursework also will be an important consideration in planning the rotation's activities.  At the end of the sixth or seventh week of each rotation, students are required to give a 15-minute presentation to the Physiology faculty on an aspect of their lab experience.  The student’s goals are three-fold: to maintain a high level of academic achievement; begin to narrow research interests and select a potential thesis adviser.

• Molecular Biochemistry (BMSC 410; 4 credits)
• Cell Biology (BMSC 412; 4 credits)
• Methods in Biomedical Science (BMSC 416; 1 credit)
• Ethics Course (BMSC 405; 1 credit)
• Research Rotation (2 credits)

10 Didactic Credits, 12 Total

• Systems Biology (BMSC 414; 3 credits)
• Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (NRSC 410; 3 credits) *or elective
• Biostatistics  (BMSC 402; 2 credits)
• Communication Skills (BMSC 418, 1 credit)
• Research Rotation (two, 10 weeks, 3 credits)

8 Didactic Credits, 12 Total

* NRSC 410 is required for the Physiology and Neuroscience  tracks

Second Year

During the second year, students are exposed to a rich array of Cellular Physiology topics: the Excitation & Transport, Cellular Signaling and Membrane Protein courses. However, in consultation with their advisor and GPD, students may substitute other elective courses. Students are required to participate in the formal seminar course and also have the opportunity to take additional elective courses.  At the end of the year, students must pass a Qualifying Exam. The second year student’s goals are to: 1) maintain a high degree of academic achievement 2) pass the Comprehensive Exam 3) make substantial progress in their dissertation research, 4) begin formulating their dissertation proposal, and 5) establish their dissertation committee by January 1 of their 3 rd  year.

• Advanced Elective: Excitability & Ion Transport (PIOL 470; 3 credits) *  or substitute elective
• Research (PIOL 412; 4 credits)
• Student Journal Club (PIOL 446, 456 or 468; 0 credits)
• Research Seminar (PIOL 416, 1 credit)**

3 Didactic Credits, 8 Total

* Offered every other year (odd years)

**Research seminar may be taken during either the Fall or Spring semester but not both. Students will consult with their GPD and Seminar Series Director before enrolling in this course.

• Physiology (PIOL 401; 3 credits)
• Structure/Function of Membrane Proteins (PIOL 472; 3 credits) *   or substitute elective
• Research (PIOL 412; 3 credits)

6 Didactic Credits, 9 Total

27 Didactic Credits, 41 Total Credits

Summer         

• Qualifying Exam***
• Dissertation Research (full-time)
• Start formation of Dissertation Committee (by January 1 st  of their 3 rd  year, no later than August 3 rd  of 3 rd  year)

*** For detailed information on the Qualifying Exam, please consult the Graduate Student Handbook. 

Students select electives in collaboration with their advisor. See some examples:

• Function of the Human Body (PIOL 301)
• Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (NRSC 410)
• Epigenetics and Stem Cells (BMB 490)
• Physiology (PIOL 401) 
• Graduate Colloquy (PIOL 414)
• Physiological Methods (PIOL 420) 
• Excitability and Transport (PIOL 470)

During the third year, students continue dissertation research and select a Dissertation Committee. Students will write, present, and defend their dissertation proposal/outline in a public seminar attended by their Dissertation Committee. The third year student’s goals are to: 1) maintain a high degree of academic and ethical standards 2) select a Dissertation Committee 3) receive formal approval and submit their dissertation proposal/outline, and 4) substantially increase the intensity of their dissertation research.

Students will complete 48 credit hours by graduation.  Additional credit hours are reserved for Year 3 in case additional courses are desired; otherwise, they can be met with research hours.

• Dissertation Supervision (PIOL 600)
• Presentation of Dissertation Proposal
• Research Seminar (PIOL 416, 0 credits)*
• Research Seminar (PIOL 416, 0 credits)

* Research seminar may be taken during either the Fall or Spring semester but not both semesters during the year. Students will consult with their GPD and Seminar Series Director before enrolling in this course.

Fourth Year

During the fourth year, students continue dissertation research and periodically (about every six months) meet with their Dissertation Committee to help ensure timely completion of degree requirements. Students are required to give one formal research seminar in which they present their dissertation research to the Physiology faculty. This seminar may be in conjunction with the student’s final defense. By the end of the fourth year, students are expected to be close to completing and defending their dissertation research.

The fourth year student’s goals are to: 1) maintain a high degree of academic and ethical standards 2) maintain a high intensity of dissertation research 3) periodically meet with their Dissertation Committee, and 4) prepare to complete/defend their dissertation research.

• Research Seminar (PIOL 416; 0 credits)*
• PRESENTATION OF DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
• FINAL DISSERTATION DEFENSE

PhD Studies in Life and Biomedical Sciences

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Research Clusters for IBiS and DGP Students

Biotechnology systems and synthetic biology, cancer biology, cell and molecular biology, chemical biology and drug discovery, developmental systems and stem cell biology, genetics and genomics, immunology and microbial sciences, reproductive science, structural biology and biophysics.

We welcome your interest in PhD studies in Life and Biomedical Sciences at Northwestern University (NU LaBS).  Our goal is to train scientists in an innovative, interdisciplinary environment while allowing them to grow into confident, independent researchers as they specialize and explore their own areas of interest in depth. We provide graduate students with the financial and academic resources they need in order to take full advantage of Northwestern’s internationally-renowned faculty, its exceptional research and academic culture, and its state-of-the-art facilities on multiple campuses in and around the vibrant city of Chicago.

First-year students can take advantage of the wealth of resources, faculty, research and the academic culture of the university’s two campuses and its affiliate medical centers, but they generally spend the majority of their time on either the Evanston or Chicago campus. The Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS)  program is housed within one of the world’s great liberal arts universities, and emphasizes mechanistic molecular biosciences, as well as the interface of biology with physics, chemistry and biomedical engineering. The Driskill Graduate Program (DGP) is housed in one of America’s leading medical schools and its affiliated hospitals, emphasizing basic and translational biomedical science. Though students will be in residence primarily on one campus, they enjoy ample opportunity to cross campuses and take advantage of resources program-wide. The program as a whole, linking faculty, post-docs and graduate students from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the McCormick School of Engineering, and the Feinberg School of Medicine truly offers science without boundaries.

PhD programming at Northwestern offers students unparalleled exposure to foundational and cutting-edge specialties in the life sciences, building on the rich history of biological research at Northwestern. These programs prepare students to succeed in the rapidly evolving life and biomedical sciences fields, in part by emphasizing collaborative interdisciplinary studies with an outstanding internationally recognized faculty using state-of-the-art technologies. After an interdisciplinary first year which exposes students to a broad array of biological, bioengineering, and translational bio-medical research, students identify a thesis laboratory and affiliate with a research cluster that provides more focused training in their area of specialization. Through journal and data clubs, symposia, and advanced coursework, the clusters provide forums for continued intellectual development throughout the PhD training. 

We welcome you to learn more about opportunities for PhD study in Biology at Northwestern.

Students interested in pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience, click here .

Driskill Graduate Program (DGP) 303 East Chicago Avenue Morton 1-670 Chicago, IL 60611-3008 Phone: 312- 503-1889 Fax: 312-908-5253 Website URL: DGP Email: [email protected]

Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) 2205 Tech Drive Hogan 2-100 Evanston, IL 60208 Phone: 847-491-4301 Fax: 847-467-1380 Website URL: IBiS Email: [email protected]

Degree Requirements

The Weill Cornell Graduate School awards master's and PhD degrees in the listed programs below.  Each program is unique, featuring a mix of coursework, teaching, and research experiences designed to prepare the next generation of leaders across fields. 

PhD Degree Requirements

The Weill Cornell Graduate School awards Cornell University PhD degrees to students in seven programs of study. Much of the academic structure by which a student progresses through WCGS is set by his/her program of study. Details of program requirements and procedures may be found directly within each program description.  WCGS expects students to complete their PhD degree requirements within six years.

Requirement Overview

In all programs, students take courses in the first year of graduate school. After year one, coursework is required or elective, depending on the program. Also in year one, students begin research rotations in faculty members' laboratories. The rotations help the student define his/her thesis research and determine faculty he/she wants to work with in pursuing the PhD.

By the end of the second year, the student takes the Admission for Candidacy Exam (ACE)—a combined written and oral exam with content and format determined by the program of study, and administered by a faculty committee. Upon the successful completion of the ACE, a student is considered a PhD candidate.

The progress of the PhD candidate is closely guided by a major sponsor (thesis advisor) and a Special Committee. Each program has its own process for selection of the sponsor and the committee, with a focus on developing the student as an independent scholar and scientist.

The student selects a sponsor from among Graduate School faculty and typically conducts all or nearly all of his/her thesis research in the major sponsor's laboratory. The Special Committee, including the major sponsor, meets at least annually with the student to evaluate the student's progress toward the degree.

In year three and thereafter, the WCGS PhD candidate conducts laboratory work focused on his/her approved thesis project.

Typically in the sixth year, the student completes the final examination (the thesis "defense") and has met all requirements for the PhD. The committee approves the student's thesis, the student's defense of the thesis (in the final exam), and ultimately certifies that the student has met all requirements for the degree. 

Details of program requirements and procedures may be found directly within each program description,  here . 

Master's Degree Requirements

The Weill Cornell Graduate School awards master degrees to students in six programs of study.  Each graduate program maintains specific requirements for degree completion. Review your program's departmental requirements below before beginning the process. 

Biomedical Imaging

The Master of Science in Biomedical Imaging Program is designed to provide STEM bachelor’s degree recipients with a comprehensive introduction to the physics, mathematics, radiochemistry, and engineering principles and methods that underly each of the major imaging modalities currently in use in clinical radiology and pathology.  The Program is highly interdisciplinary and includes faculty members with expertise in physics, radiology, engineering, mathematics, radiochemistry, and pathology. To review all the degree requirements, click here .

Clinical & Translational Investigation

This multidisciplinary training program is primarily for practicing healthcare professionals who hold medical degrees or are in professions or training programs focused on clinical research. The program provides fundamental clinical research skills to those pursuing long-term clinical investigative careers.  To review all the degree requirements,   click here .

Clinical Epidemiology & Health Services Research

The Master of Science Program in Clinical Epidemiology & Health Services Research program is designed for those who wish to plan, implement and analyze quantitative and qualitative research studies using appropriate research designs. To review all the degree requirements, click here .

Computational Biology

The M.S. in Computational Biology (MS-CB) presents a unique, rigorous training program, equipping students with theoretical understanding and practical mastery of state-of-the-art applications of computational approaches in biology and medicine.  To review all the degree requirements,   click here .

Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership

The Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Policy and Research is a dual degree program that  prepares the next generation of healthcare delivery leaders for success in a rapidly changing environment.  To review all the degree requirements, click here .

Health Sciences for Physician Assistants

The Weill Cornell Graduate School Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants (MSHS PA) program is a twenty-six month course of study to educate students to become Physician Assistants. To review all the degree requirements, click here .

Population Health Sciences

The   Department of Population Health Sciences   offers a range of educational programs to train the next generation of leading researchers and practitioners in the study of the most effective ways to organize, coordinate, manage, finance and deliver high quality care. 

To review the degree requirements for each program, click below:

• Biostatistics and Data Science
• Health Informatics
• Health Policy and Economics

Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences 1300 York Ave. Box 65 New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6565 Fax: (212) 746-8906

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Graduate Program: Physics & Biology in Medicine

UCLA's Graduate Program in Physics & Biology in Medicine offers the following degree(s):

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Physics & Biology in Medicine Graduate Program at UCLA B2-115 CHS Box 951721 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1721

Visit the Physics & Biology in Medicine’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Physics & Biology in Medicine’s course descriptions

• Admission Requirements
• Program Statistics

(310) 825-7811

[email protected]

MAJOR CODE: PHYSICS & BIOLOGY IN MEDICINE

Should I Get a Master's Before a Doctoral Degree?

Do you need a master's degree to get a Ph.D.? No, but experts suggest considering these key factors before deciding.

Should I Get a Master's Before a Ph.D?

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A master’s eases the transition to graduate work and may make you more competitive when applying to doctoral programs.

Although it's not usually a requirement, earning a master’s degree before applying to a Ph.D. or other doctoral program can be a good way to get accustomed to graduate-level coursework while gaining valuable research experience and connections in your field.

But it can also be an expensive and time-consuming detour on the route to a doctorate, so it’s important to consider whether the benefits of earning a master’s before a Ph.D. outweigh the cost.

Here are some factors experts say you should weigh.

Reasons to Get a Master’s Degree First

Karin Ash, a graduate consultant at Accepted, a college admissions consulting firm, says the research experience students can gain through a master’s tends to give them an edge in doctoral admissions.

Master's studies can also expand opportunities for students who already have significant research work behind them. Ash notes that some students she works with have research experience but choose to explore other research areas through a master's before deciding on a focus for their doctoral studies.

If your undergraduate major was fairly different from what you plan to study at a graduate level, getting a master’s degree first can help bridge the gap, says Julie Posselt, a professor of education and associate dean of the University of Southern California Graduate School. Posselt, who earned her master's before pursuing doctoral studies, says master’s studies can also help you decide whether what you’re studying is right for your academic interests and career goals .

“I learned through my master's program that the field that I had started to pursue was much more narrow than what I wanted for the long term,” Posselt says. “So instead of investing five years in a field, I was able to invest a shorter amount of time – two years – and then make the decision that if someday I wanted a Ph.D., it was going to need to be in a broader field than the one that I had during my master's.”

Ash and Posselt say a master’s can be a good way to network with experts in your field of interest and make connections that will be valuable in a future career.

“A lot of STEM students tell me they don’t have professors who know them as their classes are large,” Ash wrote in an email. “Obtaining a master’s degree will allow them to develop relationships with professors who can then write substantive recommendation letters .”

Reasons to Go Straight to a Doctoral Program

Master's degrees can be expensive , and students often don't receive significant funding to complete their studies.

“My concern is the increasing debt that American students have from their undergraduate education," Posselt says, "and the fact that most master's programs don't fund them, and as a result, students have to take out significant loans" to complete a master’s.

"I always encourage students, if they're going to get a master's degree, to try to find a place where they can get funding along the way,” she says.

On the other hand, Ash says it’s common for Ph.D. programs to be fully funded , so it may be unnecessarily costly to earn a master’s degree first – especially if it means taking out student loans .

In addition to considering the tuition cost, Posselt says it’s important to consider the earnings you could lose by delaying the start of your career by a year or two to pursue a master’s degree.

It's also worth investigating whether the doctoral program you're considering will accept some of the credits you earn in a master's program, as that could shorten your doctoral studies. But Posselt says the transferability of master's-level coursework is relatively weak and varies by institution.

Even if you do apply master's coursework to your Ph.D., it may not be worthwhile.

"Many Ph.D. programs will accept credits from courses taken at the master's level if the coursework is relevant to the program," Ash says. "However, often the applicant is veering to a more specialized education and will need to take the appropriate coursework to become proficient in that subject area. This could mean they end up with many more credits than needed to graduate."

If you’re still unsure whether you should pursue a master’s first, Posselt says it’s important to consider the leverage the degree could have when it comes to doctoral admissions. A master’s is more valuable in some fields than others, she notes, so consulting with advisers and mentors from your undergraduate studies is a good way to determine how useful it will be when pursuing doctoral work.

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PhD Student - Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology

Job Information

Offer description.

Last application date Jun 30, 2024 00:00

Department WE14 - Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology

Contract Limited duration

Degree Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Major Bioinformatics & Systems Biology or other Master of Science with relevant expertise in computational biology

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

• Glioblastoma remains an aggressive, lethal, hard-to-cure brain tumor. Accumulating evidence points to extensive tumor heterogeneity, as well as plasticity in response to therapy, leading to therapy failure. At the single cell level, this presents with different cell states that can transition into one another upon specific environmental conditions or treatment. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular and regulatory mechanisms underlying therapy-induced plasticity in glioblastoma patients is indispensable for the development of novel, more effective and less toxic treatment modalities. This PhD project is embedded in the context of an interuniversity ‘Stichting Tegen Kanker’ project that aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced tumor cell plasticity at single cell resolution.
• The lab for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation – CBIGR – of Prof. Vanessa Vermeirssen focuses on acquiring a functional understanding of gene regulation and signalling towards personalized medicine, using statistics, bioinformatics and machine learning, as well as high-throughput biology in the framework of gene regulatory networks. Our final goal is to use this knowledge in the development of novel preventive or therapeutic strategies for successful personal healthcare. We are part of the Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology and the Department of Biomolecular Medicine, with recognised expertise in molecular biology, omics technologies, bioinformatics and cancer at Ghent University. We are also partner of the Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), https://www.crig.ugent.be/en/prof-vanessa-vermeirssen-phd .
• We are looking for a talented and highly motivated PhD candidate to join our enthusiastic team on single cell multi-omics glioblastoma research. Specifically, you will implement and optimize methodologies (cutting-edge computational and experimental single cell multi-omics) and analyse and integrate high-dimensional data to unravel the regulatory heterogeneity in glioblastoma and identify key regulatory programs of plasticity.

Job profile

• You obtained a Master of Science degree in Bioscience Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Major Bioinformatics & Systems Biology or other Master of Science with relevant expertise in computational biology.
• You have a good track record (study results – top 25% of the study cohort - and/or publications).
• You have experience in programming (including bash, Python, R scripting, high-performance computing, databases and visualization tools).
• You have a strong interest and expertise in bioinformatics, biostatistics and the analysis of high-dimensional data.
• You have knowledge on cancer molecular biology, single cell and multi-omics.
• Expertise with laboratory work in a molecular biology lab, including omics technologies, is a plus.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• You possess strong analytical problem-solving skills (creative, critical, thinking out-of-the-box).
• You are able to work independently and take initiative, yet you are also a team player.
• You are accurate and have a strong feeling of responsibility.
• You are perseverant and have a strong ambition to learn.
• You will work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment and will have the possibility to interact with top cancer and computational biology researchers at CRIG, UGent and the project partners at KUL and SCK-CEN.
• You will have access to state-of-the-art technologies and computational infrastructure.
• You will have the opportunity to attend international conferences, publish your results in high-profile journals and visit relevant research institutes.
• You will have the chance to guide undergraduate and internship students.
• You will receive a competitive remuneration including a wide range of training and education opportunities (on the job and through the UGent doctoral school program e.g.), 36 days of holiday leave, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.
• You will have the possibility to obtain a PhD degree. We offer a position for 1 year, which will normally be extended to 4 years in case of a positive evaluation. Note that the latter may require application for a FWO/BOF doctoral fellowship (check your eligibility at "Profile and conditions" on https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/ ).

How to apply

Submit the following documents, merged in a single pdf-file, by email to [email protected] :

• Motivation letter
• Names and contacts from at least 2 references
• Copy of diploma’s

Top-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview (either on-site or via MS Teams/Zoom).

For inquiries concerning the position contact Prof. Dr. ir. Vanessa Vermeirssen ( [email protected] ).

Requirements

Additional information, work location(s), where to apply.

Future Doctor Looks to Provide Inclusive Care

Senior Sarah Halupa, BS ’24, will graduate from Saint Joseph’s this spring and head to medical school at nearby Thomas Jefferson University, where she’ll join a program focused on providing better care for patients with autism.

Written by: Alex Hargrave ’20

Published: April 30, 2024

Total reading time: 4 minutes

In her future career as a physician, Sarah Halupa, BS ’24, will spend each day acting on her two greatest passions: science and service. 

This fall, Halupa, a biology major and autism behavioral studies minor, will attend Thomas Jefferson’s medical school as part of a joint program with Saint Joseph’s University that trains future physicians to better care for patients with autism. 

Halupa started working at SJU’s Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support as a sophomore and soon completed more than 500 hours of work, which is a requirement to enroll in Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College Scholars program. 

Her work at the Kinney Center has highlighted for her how most of society, including healthcare, is built only with those who are neurotypical in mind, Halupa says.

At Saint Joseph’s, she contributed to research about the effects of SSRIs on patients on the autism spectrum, and she also participated in research at Jefferson about creating more sensory-friendly doctor visits for neurodivergent children.

“People who are on the spectrum, a lot of times, don't even make it to their doctor's appointments because it’s a lot, mentally and emotionally, when they know it's a sensory overloaded environment,” Halupa says. “I've had so many interactions and so many friends here who I know are on the spectrum and who have had these problems. I would like to be somebody who could be a voice for inclusive care.”

"I would like to be somebody who could be a voice for inclusive care.”

Sarah Halupa, BS ’24

Michael McCann, PhD, professor and chair of biology department , has taught Halupa in several biology classes throughout her four years at Saint Joseph’s. He says that Halupa’s rigorous course load and various activities outside of the classroom have prepared her for a successful medical career.

“I am confident that she will be the kind of physician that all of us would want to have treating us or a family member, as she has really become a fully formed person during her time here,” McCann says.

While her passion working with those who are neurodivergent was cultivated at Saint Joseph’s, medical school has been part of Halupa’s plan since before she came to college. Her career choice is not a surprise, she says, given that her mom is a nurse practitioner, her brother is a physician and her dad is a dentist.

“I’ve also been such a science nerd my whole life,” she says. “I remember coming home from elementary school and begging my mom to do science experiments with me.”

Halupa was accepted to the program at Jefferson during her junior year, so she’s been able to spend her senior year devoting time to many extracurricular activities in lieu of applying to medical schools and studying for the MCAT.

Halupa’s interests are widespread, as evidenced by her involvement at Saint Joseph’s. She is president of University Singers, participates in chapel choir, is a member of the honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, and she served as a Philadelphia Service Immersion Program leader for two years and an Appalachian Experience (APEX) service/immersion program leader and peer minister.

After leading a group during a spring break APEX immersion as a junior, Halupa spent most of this year preparing for the 2024 program as one of three APEX peer ministers, who work with Tricia Riordan, Campus minister for APEX , to plan the program for more than 105 participants and 23 leaders.

Riordan has worked closely with Halupa for the two years she’s served as an APEX leader. To Riordan, what sets Halupa apart from her peers is her leadership and commitment to growth in all facets of her life, including faith, academics and service.

“Sarah is such a deep thinker – that’s such a gift she’s brought to our program,” Riordan says. “She values those experiential education opportunities, such as APEX, and her traditional academic coursework. Her integration of both of those is preparing her to be an intelligible doctor.”

Halupa, herself, is from Frackville, Pennsylvania, part of the Appalachian region. For that reason, she says, she didn’t expect to enjoy her first APEX trip as much as she did. This spring, she was a leader in Alleghany Highlands, Virginia, a town with a lot of older residents with whom her group was able to spend a lot of time, making connections and engaging in service projects.

“It has shown me that I might not be able to change the world, but I can change somebody’s world."

“It has shown me that I might not be able to change the world, but I can change somebody’s world,” Halupa says.

That is an outlook that she says she hopes to take with her into her medical career. 

“I can see people for who they are, as people rather than their diagnosis, or rather than for the sickness they’re presenting me with,” Halupa says. 

As she prepares for graduation, Halupa says that while Saint Joseph’s wasn’t where she imagined she would go to school when she first considered her college choices, she can’t imagine her life if she had gone anywhere else. 

“I can explore everything I’m passionate about in one place,” she says. “There are so many things that are so unique to Saint Joe’s. 

ASPIRE’s Luca Toth, BS ’24, Graduates into Full-Time Employment

Luca Toth, BS ’24, is the first student to graduate from ASPIRE – a college support program for students with autism spectrum disorder – with a full-time job lined up. In June, he’ll begin his new role as a business operations trainee with Philadelphia Insurance.

Saint Joseph’s Helps High School Students Explore a Future in Healthcare

In collaboration with the Lancaster Chamber, Saint Joseph’s helped high school students explore careers in healthcare during a hands-on event on Feb. 9.

Bringing Central American Food and Culture to Philly

MBA alumna Sofia Deleon’s culinary journey from Guatemala to the heart of Philly's food scene recently earned her the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Excelencia in Hispanic Business Accelerate Award.

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The Bioinformatics PhD Program is well established, with a long history of successful graduates in both academia and industry.  

• How to Apply
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• Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for the Bioinformatics PhD Program, you must submit complete applications by December 1 for admission the following Fall term. Early applications are not allowed and will not be considered. 

Please visit the Rackham Graduate School web pages for additional information on applying. There you will also find information on how to respond to an offer of admission, plus tips and materials required for international applicants and incoming students.

If you are certain about pursuing a Bioinformatics PhD, then applications should be submitted directly to the Bioinformatics PhD Program ; there are more than 100 diverse affiliated faculty to choose from.

Applicants should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition, applicants with a background in quantitative sciences should consider applying directly. Separately, if you are transferring from another University of Michigan Program or have obtained an established University of Michigan mentor affiliated with the program, a direct application is most appropriate.

PIBS is an umbrella program that offers first-year PhD students flexibility in exploring opportunities in bioinformatics and thirteen other graduate programs. Through PIBS, students have the opportunity to rotate in, and potentially join the lab of a faculty mentor in another program; there are more than 500 diverse faculty to select from. PIBS students who list Bioinformatics as their primary choice must complete at least one rotation with a Bioinformatics-affiliated faculty member. After 10 months in PIBS, students officially join Bioinformatics (or one of the other programs). You can visit the PIBS website for more information.

Please note that reviewing admissions faculty for both PIBS and direct applications are the same. In addition, admitted applicants take the same Bioinformatics-specific courses and activities. See below for details on program diversity outreach, application materials, and funding.

Students who will have an MS in a relevant field (e.g. computer science, statistics, biostatistics, biology) from another university may request to have up to 6 credit-hours (two classes) waived. These classes may be used to help fulfill the core PhD requirements for biology (1 course), statistics (2 courses), and/or computing (1 course). To obtain approval, students need to send a detailed syllabus of the class(es) they took to the PhD directors along with their grade(s), which must be a B or better. The other PhD course requirements, including BIOINF-529 and two advanced bioinformatics courses, cannot be waived.

Most international Bioinformatics PhD applicants should apply through PIBS. However, some who are already embedded in a University of Michigan mentor lab affiliated with the program may be an appropriate fit for the direct Bioinformatics PhD program.

The TOEFL or IELTS exam is required unless Rackham Graduate School waiver requirements have been met. Criteria for English proficiency exemption can be found on the Rackham website . In addition, a list of required credentials from non-U.S. institutions for an application can be found here.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented minorities, students with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. There are numerous funding opportunities and resources on campus to contribute to students overall well-being while pursuing studies. Several resources available to students can be found on the Rackham Graduate School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website .

We find a new reason to love Ann Arbor nearly every day — year-round outdoor activities, cultural experiences, a growing food scene, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere are just a few that come to mind. Explore all that Ann Arbor and our surrounding communities have to offer. 

All application materials should be submitted electronically when possible. Applicants must meet  Rackham's Minimum Requirements for Admission . The  online application form  can be found on the Rackham Admissions webpages. The application is available in early September through the deadline. 

• GPA, minimum 3.2/4.0 (exceptions may be made if deemed appropriate)
• Letters of recommendation (3 required): Please be aware that submitting only the Rackham Recommendation for Admission Form is insufficient; forms must be accompanied by a letter from the recommender. All letters are due by the application deadline. Without them, applications will not be considered complete or reviewed by the Program Admissions Committee.
• Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• Personal Statement: The Personal Statement should be a concise, well-written statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
• Transcripts: Please submit unofficial transcripts electronically with your online application
• GRE scores are no longer included as part of admission
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency via either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The institution code is 1839. Other exams may not be substituted. Rackham Graduate School offers a full explanation of this requirement , including exemption criteria. Please contact Rackham directly ( [email protected] ) with questions.

Diversity is a key component of excellence, especially for solving the complex biomedical challenges that our field of computational medicine and bioinformatics faces. We believe that all people—regardless of background, race, religion, sexual/gender orientation, age or disability—deserve an equitable opportunity to pursue the education and career of their choice.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program will provide tuition, healthcare coverage, and a stipend on a 12-month basis. This level of support will be maintained throughout a student's tenure in the Program, provided s/he remains in good academic standing and makes reasonable progress towards the degree as determined by the Graduate Directors, with faculty input. It is expected that the student will be supported directly by the mentor's laboratory, beginning in the second year. The expected time to degree is typically 5-6 years.

The U-M MS program is a terminal degree program. If you are interested in the Bioinformatics PhD Program, you must submit a new application. If you are a Bioinformatics MS student who is in good academic standing and has identified a Bioinformatics affiliated faculty mentor, you may apply for admission directly to the PhD Bioinformatics Program for the Winter term. Reviewing faculty take all application components into account and mentors are prepared to take both academic and financial responsibility for their trainees.

Eligibility: Only current or recently graduated University of Michigan Master’s students are eligible. Before applying, students must have completed more than half of all required courses, with at least six credits from the Bioinformatics Program.

Application deadline: October 1

The online application form can be found on the Rackham Admissions webpages. The application is available in early September through the deadline.

• Letters of recommendation: Please be aware that submitting only the Rackham Recommendation for Admission Form is insufficient; forms must be accompanied by a letter from the recommender. If you wish to include three letters from your original application, only one additional letter is needed. It must be from the DCMB faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission. Alternatively, you may wish to obtain three new letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to include letters from those familiar with your research and coursework obtained while pursuing your Master’s degree. Of these, one must be from the faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission.
• Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how the PhD Program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• Transcripts: Only a current, unofficial U-M transcript is necessary. You do not need to re-submit materials included with your Master’s application.
• TOEFL: If you submitted TOEFL scores when applying to the Master’s Program, additional test scores are not needed.

Bioinformatics consists of a mathematical and/or statistical analysis of a biomedical problem using computation. We define bioinformatics widely and include traditional bioinformatics areas such as for examples, systems biology, genomics, proteomics, plus statistical and evolutionary genetics, clinical informatics, and protein modeling.

As an interdisciplinary field, Bioinformatics attracts graduate students from mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Most incoming students have both a major in one and a minor in another discipline. In recent years students have entered with undergraduate training in bioinformatics or computational biology.

Each student obtains individual counseling by one of the two graduate program directors upon arrival and throughout their academic career. As Bioinformatics is still developing, new courses are added all the time. Current students are encouraged to contact the Program Directors about courses that may be relevant to their studies and are not listed on the website (esp. if they are new or infrequently offered).

In most cases, we recommend you apply to the PIBS program, as it provides flexibility in classes, funding, and a central admission for many biomedical programs. If you have no or very little biology background, please contact our Student Services Representative as to whether a direct application would be better. Current student who are considering transferring areas of study should also contact the Bioinformatics Graduate Office.

There is no need to apply both direct and through PIBS, as the same committee sees your applications.

For most students, thesis work includes computing, reading, and writing. A small group also participates in wet laboratory work. Please check both the research areas and student webpages for an overview of the varied subjects addressed in research and student theses.

Many of our graduate students obtain academic postdoctoral fellowships and go on to faculty positions. Quite a significant number of graduates go into non-academic professions such as small or large biotech companies. Some have founded their own business, and others apply their analytical skills in companies unrelated to bioinformatics. For a current list of graduate placement, please visit the alumni pages.

No. If you want to get a PhD, directly apply to the PhD Program.

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