[Fields of Study]

Biomedical Sciences 

Johnny He, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor
CBH-345
817-735-0224
E-mail: Johnny.He@unthsc.edu
http://www.hsc.unt.edu/departments/BMSC/

Graduate and Adjunct Graduate Faculty: All members of the graduate and adjunct graduate faculty are included in Biomedical Sciences.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical sciences. Students are encouraged to acquire a broad base of knowledge in those disciplines that flourish in an environment of a health science center and are required to pursue specialized research and study in a particular area of biomedical and health science. The training students obtain equips them for professional careers in health science centers, universities, secondary science education, health care industry, publishing, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. All entering graduate students are expected to complete a one-year integrated biomedical sciences program that surveys the fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and physiology to prepare them for tomorrow's scientific advancements and employment opportunities.

Biomedical Sciences is interdisciplinary in nature; therefore, advanced courses focus on the individual student's particular interests. Mentors may be selected from any of the Graduate Faculty, regardless of departmental affiliation. The traditional M.S.; M.S. in Biotechnology, Forensic Genetics, Medical Science or Science Education; or Ph.D. may be obtained through the biomedical sciences discipline.

Biomedical Sciences Advisory Committee
Research leading to theses and dissertations must reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the biomedical sciences discipline, i.e. the research must involve two or more disciplines, such as integrative physiology and biochemistry/microbiology. Each traditional M.S. or Ph.D. student is required to select a major professor from the primary discipline. Together, the student and major professor select a minor professor from the secondary discipline. The student's research will then be conducted in both the major and minor professors' laboratories. The remaining advisory committee members will reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the student's specific research and may be selected from any discipline, provided that they are members of the graduate faculty. For the master's program, at least one additional member will be required and, for the doctoral program, at least two additional members will be required. Both master's and doctoral students must have a university member present at any qualifying examination, proposal defense, or final thesis/dissertation defense, as required by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Degree Plans
The following are typical degree plans for students in the biomedical sciences discipline. Degree plans for students in the biomedical science discipline are tailored to the individual student's interest and vary greatly due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. For these reasons, advanced and elective courses offered after completion of the first year core curriculum are not indicated.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination ensures that the doctoral student has mastered a broad knowledge base in biomedical sciences necessary to succeed as an independent research at the doctoral level. The student obtains this knowledge through course work, reading of textbooks and scientific literature, and discussion with faculty members.

The oral qualifying examination is administered by each student's qualifying exam committee and may include topics from any aspect of the biomedical sciences. The student will select one area of primary interest from the areas covered in the integrative core curriculum. These include biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, physiology, and pharmacology. The student will also identify two areas of secondary interest. Students are allowed to meet with committee members prior to the examination to discuss potential topics for the questions. Questions will be given to the student in writing 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the exam.

Two attempts to successfully pass the qualifying examination are allowed. Failure to pass the qualifying examination results in dismissal of the student from the doctoral program. A doctoral student who does not pass may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.

Grant Writing (BMSC 6310)
Successful completion of Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) requires the preparation and oral defense of an original NIH grant proposal. Two attempts to successfully accomplish this are allowed.

The student should submit a report which presents the hypothesis, experimental strategy and specific aims for the proposal to the examination committee by mid-semester. The proposal must consist of the student's original ideas and is expected to significantly extend scientific knowledge in the chosen research area if the proposed experiments were actually conducted. The committee must approve this summary of the research proposal.

The student must prepare a detailed written report of the research proposal in NIH format after the summary has been approved. The final proposal will be typed and presented to the advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The grant proposal and presentation will be evaluated on the basis of originality and ability to synthesize and communicate this information.

If the proposal and defense are satisfactory, the student is advanced to candidacy. Failure to pass Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) results in dismissal of the student from the doctoral program. A doctoral student who does not pass may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.