Graduate Bulletin

Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall:  April 15; December 15 international

Applications are processed as they are received throughout the year.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2 minimum; 3 preferred.

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from professors of science or supervisors of research experiences.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

Applicants should have at least one year of Advanced Biological Science (such as Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or Physiology); one year of General Chemistry; one year of Organic Chemistry; one year of Physics; and Mathematics through Calculus.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A master's degree is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree in the Biological or Chemical Sciences is required.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: the applicant's interest in Temple's Biomedical Sciences graduate program, research interests and past experiences, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. Acceptance by Temple University requires submission of verbal, quantitative, and analytical GRE scores. GRE scores below the 50th percentile are outside the norm set by the Graduate School, and no individual score in the verbal, quantitative, or analytical sections should be below that level.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 100 iBT or 600 PBT.

Advanced Standing:

Students who enter the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences may be considered for advanced standing, based on the successful completion of graduate-level courses in the Biological Sciences or Chemistry. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple, and the grades earned must be a "B" or better. The Graduate Admissions Committee makes the recommendation on a case-by-case basis as the application is reviewed. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 24.

Test Waivers:

Upon review of the student's background by the Graduate Admissions Committee, applicants with high levels of performance in one or more areas can gain favorable consideration for an application that is otherwise outside the acceptance matrix.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 37

Required Courses:

All students participate in a common first-year interdisciplinary experience that includes the following courses:

Molecules to Cells

Organ Systems

Scientific Design and Biostatistics

Scientific Communications

Bioinformatics

Scientific Integrity

Scientific Grant Writing

Advanced Elective Courses in Area of Concentration/Cluster (10 s.h.)

Cluster-Based Seminar/Specialized Journal Club (4 s.h.)

Internship:  No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Research Advisory Committee Meetings:

Students are required to meet with their Research Advisory Committee each semester to evaluate their progress toward the degree.

Outside Research Proposal:

In the Spring semester of the second year of study, students are required to prepare and defend an NIH-style grant proposal in their area of concentration on a topic that is distinct from the student's research topic. This is a requirement for admissions to candidacy. 

Culminating Events:

Dissertation Proposal:

The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should describe the context and background surrounding a particular research problem and a methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal is a requirement for admission to candidacy and should be submitted and approved during the Fall semester of the third year in the program.

Dissertation:

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences is a research degree. Research training begins with three research rotations in the first year of the graduate program and continues with the selection of an area of concentration and a Dissertation Research Advisor, who is a member of the graduate faculty from within the selected area of concentration. The areas of concentration include Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine. Under the direction of the Dissertation Research Advisor, the student develops an original research project. Dissertation research involves meaningful, critical thinking and the execution of ideas in the laboratory through the use of the scientific method. Dissertation research conducted by the student should be an original contribution to scientific knowledge. The quality of the student's Ph.D. dissertation research should be equivalent to that found in reputable biomedical sciences journals.

Upon selection of an area of concentration and a Dissertation Research Advisor, a Research Advisory Committee is formed for each student. This Committee is responsible for the review of the student's research and academic progress twice yearly. It determines whether the content of the student's research is sufficient for the Ph.D. dissertation.

The student submits the dissertation in complete form not less than 14 days prior to the date of the final examination. The dissertation must have been read and approved by the Dissertation Research Advisor prior to distribution. After the student has arranged the time, date, and room for the dissertation defense, the Announcement of Oral Defense form is completed and forwarded to the Office of the Graduate School, Main Campus, and the Office of Graduate Studies at the Health Sciences Campus at least 10 working days before the defense. Announcements of the defense are posted and emailed to all members of the cluster/area of concentration.

The Final Examination Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and demonstration of competence within the field of the dissertation and related areas. This Committee consists of five faculty members, including the Dissertation Research Advisor, Research Advisory Committee, and one additional faculty member from another cluster. The Committee evaluates the quality of the dissertation research and the student's ability to express (both in writing and orally) her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation and private question/answer period.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/medicine/biomedical_sciences/index.htm

Department Information:

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
Temple University School of Medicine
3500 N. Broad Street, MERB 1111

Philadelphia, PA 19140

tusmgrad@temple.edu

215-707-2423 or 215-707-6687

Department Contacts:

Admissions and Program Coordinators:

Dianne Soprano, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Graduate and M.D./Ph.D. Programs

dsoprano@temple.edu

215-707-3266

Scott Shore, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies

sks@temple.edu

215-707-5072

About the Program

The Ph.D. program is aimed at broad interdisciplinary and translational training in Biomedical Sciences and provides in-depth training in one of five areas of concentration. All students participate in an interdisciplinary first-year experience and then select an area of concentration from among Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine. The curriculum supports an interdisciplinary approach to research training, providing new pathways for learning and discovery. The Ph.D. program is intended to educate premier biomedical scientists who will be tomorrow’s leaders in research, education, and government.

Time Limit for Degree Completion:  7 years

Campus Location:

Health Sciences

With the permission of the student's Research Advisory Committee, elective courses not offered on the Health Sciences Campus may be taken at other campuses.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

The Ph.D. degree program is designed as a full-time day program of study.

Department Information:

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
Temple University School of Medicine
3500 N. Broad Street, MERB 1111

Philadelphia, PA 19140

tusmgrad@temple.edu

215-707-2423 or 215-707-6687

Interdisciplinary Study:

The graduate program in Biomedical Sciences is interdisciplinary and emphasizes translational research. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty in the disease-based research centers at the Medical School, including Center for Inflammation, Translational and Clinical Lung Research; Center for Neurovirology; Center for Substance Abuse Research; Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center; Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology; Independence Blue Cross Cardiovascular Research Center; Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center; Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center; and Temple Autoimmunity Center.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

The 2012 U.S. News and World Report ranked Temple University School of Medicine number 45 in Research and among the Best Graduate Schools.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

This is an interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences graduate program. Five areas of concentration are available for students who plan to earn the Ph.D. These include Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine.

Job Placement:

The graduate faculty has designed a well-balanced program that can be individually tailored to meet the interests and needs of each student and to fully prepare each student for a career in academic, industrial, and governmental biomedical sciences. The graduate program is designed to provide training in the theory and practice of Biomedical Sciences for eventual placement in research and teaching positions.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

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Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students may enroll in some courses with permission from the course instructor and approval from the Office of Graduate Studies at the School of Medicine.

Financing Opportunities

All students are provided with a competitive stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission. First-year students are supported by Medical School fellowships. After the first year, students receive financial support from extramural funds available to their research mentor, including training grants, research assistantships, and fellowships. Students are expected to work full time toward the completion of the degree requirements. A satisfactory level of performance must be maintained at  all times.

Exceptionally qualified students who apply to the program may be nominated for Presidential, University, and Future Faculty Fellowships. In order to be considered for nomination, prospective students must submit all application materials to the department by January 15.

Updated 10.17.12