This page summaries our PhD program
You will find more detailed
information about the Ph.D. program in the
PhD manual
You
may apply on-line by
using the links on
this page
Ph.D.
Program
PhD scientists follow many careers
including research in universities, medical schools, hospitals,
and government or industrial biomedical laboratories. Other
career paths include forensic medicine, clinical laboratory
management, scientific writing and intellectual property.
|
The
Integrated Biomedical Science Program at the University of South
Carolina offers a course of study and
significant research opportunities leading to the Doctor
of Philosophy and the Masters of Biomedical Science
degrees.
Graduate faculty are involved in a broad range of research
activities that encompass biological and physiochemical
disciplines in an academic setting |
Palmetto trees and stately white columns
adorn the front of the Medical Science Building on the
School of Medicine VA campus
|
The interdisciplinary program
provides specializations in
- Molecular - Cell
-Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Pharmacological Science
- Exercise Science
- Microbiology –
Immunology
- Virology
- Cancer
- Biodefense
- Biochemistry
- Vision Science
- Psychology
A listing of Biomedical Science
faculty and their research interests may be found on this web site
(use the menus at the top)
Return to top
of page
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 integrated graduate program
- A minimum of 60 graduate credits with
a written thesis are needed to satisfy Ph.D. degree requirements
- 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
Return to
top
of page
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.
Return to
top
of page
Research Training
 |
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
|
During the first year of the program,
the student will carry out up to three laboratory research rotations
and will choose a research mentor by the end of the first year. Once the core courses have been completed
(which occurs by the end of the first year) and the mentor is
chosen, the student will affiliate with the mentor's department.
In consultation with his/her mentor, the student 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 Integrated Graduate program may provide travel support where
possible,
Return to
top
of page
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 integrated 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 PhD program and may apply on-line
using the links above
|
