You may find more detailed
information about the Ph.D. program and may apply on-line by
using the links at the left
Summary of Ph.D.
Program
The biomedical scientist is both
research scientist and medical educator with career possibilities
in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and government or
industrial biomedical laboratories.
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The
Biomedical Science Program at the University of South
Carolina School of Medicine offers a course of study and
significant research opportunities leading to the Doctor
of Philosophy and the Master's in Biomedical Science.
Graduate faculty are involved in a broad range of research
activities that encompass biological and physiochemical
disciplines in a medical setting. |
Palmetto trees and stately white columns
adorn the front of the Medical Science Building on the
School of Medicine VA campus
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The interdisciplinary programs
provide specializations in research focus of neuroscience,
molecular oncology, vision science, developmental biology and
anatomy, cardiovascular disease, reproductive biology, microbiology
and immunology.
A listing of Biomedical Science
faculty and their research interests may be found on this web site
(use the link at the left) and in the program announcement in
Peterson's Guide to Graduate Programs.
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Coursework
Coursework provides a broad emphasis
in the basic medical sciences, specialization in a
multidisciplinary research focus area, and laboratory skills for
research productivity:
- Core courses provide a fundamental
biomedical knowledge base and focus on molecular and cellular
biology and biochemistry. They emphasize critical scientific thinking in a small
group setting.
- Interdisciplinary laboratory
courses introduce facilities, major equipment, techniques and
methodologies used in contemporary biomedical research.
- Seminars provide a common forum for faculty and students to stay
abreast of research developments across the nation and around
the world.
There are two tracks in the
biomedical sciences graduate program
- A minimum of 60 graduate credits with
thesis are needed to satisfy Ph.D. degree requirements
- As many as 12 graduate credits may
be taken in USC schools and colleges other than the School of Medicine;
this option provides great flexibility to tailor programs to
each student and to draw on the wider resources of a
comprehensive university
- At least 50% of graduate credits
exclusive of thesis must be 700 level
- Up to 6 credits may be taken as
thesis preparation
- Up to 6 credits may be taken as research
or independent study
Elective courses
In addition to the core courses that
are taken by all Ph.D. students, there are many elective courses
offered by the faculty. Once a student decides on a research
mentor (major professor), the mentor and student will decide on
the courses to be taken. These will be approved by the
student's committee.
Among the courses available are
ANAT 715
Special Topics in Embryology
ANAT 703 Human Neuroanatomy
ANAT 740 Anatomical Methods and Techniques
BMSC 730
Cardiovascular Science
BMSC 740 Neuroscience
BMSC 710 Medical Molecular Biology
HGEN 720
Medical Genetics
HGEN 720 Medical Genetics
MBIM 720 Comprehensive Microbiology
MBIM Bacteriology
MBIM Immunology
PATH 710 Neoplasia
PHYL 701 Physiology for Health Sciences
PCOL 705 Biomedical Pharmacology
The Graduate
Bulletin with a description of these and other graduate courses is
listed at this website
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Examinations
A comprehensive examination will be
required to demonstrate scientific reasoning. To gain experience
writing research grants, students carry out a review of the current
scientific literature on a selected topic, then write a grant
proposal defining a research problem and an experimental plan; the
proposal is reviewed and orally defended before a faculty
committee.
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Research Training
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The
Newton Graduate Research Symposium
is held each year with formal slide presentations by
students of ongoing research; audience includes program
faculty, staff, and students; a faculty committee selects
winners and provides written evaluations with constructive
criticism
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During the first year of the program,
the student will choose a research mentor and may work in the
mentor's laboratory. Once the core courses have been completed
(which occurs by the end of the first year), the student, in
consultation with his/her major professor, will select
additional elective courses in year two while carrying out
thesis research. All courses are usually completed by the end of
year two and the student then carries out full time research. It is hoped that the student will
present work at local or national meetings and the Biomedical
Sciences Graduate program will provide travel support where
possible
- Medical
Research: follow this link to find out more information
about the research
activities of the faculty at the USC School of Medicine.
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Dissertation
The dissertation is an original and
creative body of research that makes a significant contribution to
biomedical science; a formal seminar given to program faculty,
staff, and students precedes review of the dissertation and oral
defense before a faculty examining committee. Click here for a
detailed description of the Dissertation. The
average time taken to obtain a Ph.D., degree in the biomedical
sciences program is 5.4 years and 80% of students complete their
degree within 6 years.
Outcomes
for Graduates
Ph.D. graduates expressed
satisfaction with their doctoral program and remarked on the
quality of mentoring. The figure below shows the fields in
which our graduate have found employment.
You may find more detailed
information about the Ph.D. program and may apply on-line
using the links at the left
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