Co-program directors
Mary Kearns-Jonker
Julia Unternaehrer-Hamm

The School of Medicine offers basic sciences curricula leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The core curriculum provides a broad background in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Advanced courses allow each student to fully develop an area of interest.

Research strengths of the program include: cancer biology (prostate, breast, thyroid, ovarian, cervical, pancreatic, and leukemia), molecular mechanisms controlling normal development and regeneration, stem cell-based cardiovascular repair, oxidative stress in mechanism of anticancer agents, stem cell delivery of gene therapy for regenerative medicine, neuronal injury and axonal regeneration, transcriptional regulation, normal and malignant immune cell development and function, nanoparticles for therapeutic applications, cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases and aging, plasticity and interconnection between normal and cancer stem cells, miRNA regulation in ovarian cancer and early development, epigenomic/transcriptomic reprogramming and longevity, calcium signaling during lung development, developmental programming of health and disease, stem cell reprogramming, and genome editing.

The thesis or research Master of Science degree provides training for individuals who will become technicians involved in biomedical research in universities or in the biotechnology industry. The non-thesis Master of Science degree provides content appropriate for secondary teachers seeking advanced training in areas such as molecular biology, cancer biology, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine; and for students seeking admission to a professional school, such as medicine or dentistry.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to prepare students for careers in independent research and teaching in a university, clinical, or biotechnology environment. Doctoral degree students are expected to develop creativity and independence in addition to technical skills.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the biomedical sciences.
  2. Demonstrate subject mastery in cancer, developmental, or regenerative biology.
  3. Interpret the current literature in the field.
  4. Design hypothesis-driven studies to address key questions in the field.
  5. Make original contributions to the body of biomedical knowledge.
  6. Demonstrate the principles of scientific and professional ethics.
  7.  Write effective scientific publications and grant proposals.*

*This outcome is not applicable to M.S. degree students.

A minimum of 45 units is required for the M.S. degree, as detailed in the table below. Two options, a research track and a coursework track, are available. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Students must adhere to all University and program policies as published in the Student Handbook, University CATALOG, or Student Guide. Policies and requirements are subject to change.

Basic science core
IBGS 501Biomedical Communication and Integrity2
IBGS 502Biomedical Information and Statistics2
IBGS 511Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems I6
IBGS 512Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II6
IBGS 522Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II Journal Club2
IBGS 523Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems III Journal Club2
Seminars (all requried)
IBGS 604Introduction to Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar1
IBGS 605Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar1
Religion
REL_ ____Graduate-level religion course (RELE, RELR, or RELT)3
Program specific courses12
Choose from the following:
Stem Cell Biology and Medicine
Human Embryology Lecture
Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
Seminar in Stem Cells and Cancer
Cancer Journal Club
Biology of Cancer
Degree completion options8
Coursework track:
Electives (8 units)
Research track:
Research
Thesis (1-3 units)
Elective (0-2 units)
Total Units45
Available Electives
ANAT 548Introductory Flow Cytometry1
BCHM 530Biochemical Basis of Human Disease SM2
IBGS 525Translational Research Training2
MDCJ 520Basis of Medical Genetics2
MDCJ 560Basis of Medical Genetics2
MICR 515Introduction to Bioinformatics and Genomics2
MICR 530Basic Immunology4
MICR 537Selected Topics in Molecular Biology1-3
PHSL 541Cell and Molecular Biology4
PHSL 587Physiology of Reproduction2
1

Registration and attendance required every quarter in residence, but units do not count toward total required for graduation.

Service learning requirement

This requirement may be met by taking IBGS 525 Translational Research Training or a religion course designated as a service learning course. For more information about this requirement and a list of religion courses that fulfill it, see section on academic service learning in this CATALOG.

Noncourse requirements

Coursework track:  a comprehensive written examination over the graduate coursework in lieu of preparing a thesis.

Research track:   pass an oral examination given by their graduate guidance committee after the thesis has been completed.

Normal time to complete the program

Two (2) years— based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted

Comparison

See the comparison of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.

For the Ph.D. degree, students must complete a minimum of 61 units—as detailed in the table below—and must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0.  Students must adhere to all University and program policies as published in the Student Handbook, University CATALOG, or Student Guide. Policies and requirements are subject to change.

Basic science core
IBGS 501Biomedical Communication and Integrity2
IBGS 502Biomedical Information and Statistics2
IBGS 503Biomedical Grant Writing2
IBGS 511Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems I6
IBGS 512Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II6
IBGS 522Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II Journal Club2
IBGS 523Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems III Journal Club2
Seminars (all required)
IBGS 604Introduction to Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar1
IBGS 605Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar (1)2
IBGS 607Integrated Biomedical Graduate Studies Seminar 11
Religion
RELE 5__ Must be numbered 500 or above3
RELR 5__ Must be numbered 500 or above3
RELT 5__ Must be numbered 500 or above3
Program specific courses6
BCHM 610Cancer Journal Club1
Emphasis: Developmental/regenerative biology
Stem Cell Biology and Medicine
Human Embryology Lecture
Emphasis: Cancer biology
Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
Seminar in Stem Cells and Cancer
Cancer Journal Club
Biology of Cancer
Electives: 6-12
Choose from the following and other courses as approved by advisor:
Biochemical Basis of Human Disease SM
Clinical Exposure in Oncology
Translational Research Training
Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences
Basis of Medical Genetics
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Genomics
Basic Immunology
Fundamentals of Electrophysiology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Physiology of Reproduction
Research and dissertation
BCHM 697Research (1-10)12
IBGS 696Research Rotations (1)2
IBGS 699Dissertation (1-5)1-5
Total Units62
1

Registration and attendance required every quarter in residence, but units do not count toward total required for graduation.

Service learning requirement

This requirement may be met by taking IBGS 525 Translational Research Training or a religion course designated as a service learning course. For more information about this requirement and a list of religion courses that fulfill it, see section on academic service learning in this CATALOG.

Noncourse requirements

  • Pass written and oral comprehensive examinations in order to advance to candidacy.
  • Successfully defend the dissertation before their guidance committee prior to being awarded the Ph.D. degree.

Normal time to complete the program

Four (4) years — full-time enrollment; part time permitted

Comparison

See the comparison of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.