Doctor of Philosophy Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
The Biomedical Sciences PhD program provides interdisciplinary and research-intensive training designed to prepare students for leadership careers in biomedical research, academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, government, and related scientific fields. The program integrates foundational and advanced study across molecular, cellular, systems, computational, and translational biomedical sciences within a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.
Students complete a rigorous core curriculum and laboratory rotations that establish broad competency across the biomedical sciences while introducing diverse experimental and analytical approaches. Advanced training is individualized through concentrated coursework, mentored dissertation research, and professional development experiences tailored to each student’s scientific interests and career goals. Research areas investigate the molecular, cellular, physiological, organismal, and environmental mechanisms underlying human health and disease, with opportunities to pursue specialized study in areas including cancer biology, cardiovascular physiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, neuroscience, reproductive biology, metabolism, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, and related biomedical and biological sciences. The program’s interdisciplinary framework promotes systems-level and translational approaches that integrate molecular and cellular mechanisms with physiology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, computational modeling, and environmental influences on health.
The program emphasizes critical thinking, experimental design, quantitative analysis, bioinformatics, scientific communication, and grant development to prepare students for independent research careers and original scholarly contributions. Through close faculty mentorship and collaborative research experiences, doctoral students develop the technical, analytical, and leadership skills necessary to address complex biomedical challenges in interdisciplinary research settings.
Admission
The Biomedical Sciences, PhD program is now participating in the BioMedCAS, specifically designed for biomedical programs.
Applicants to the program must have:
-
A bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating as a student
- If the bachelor’s degree was issued by a U.S. college or university, as a general rule it should be from a regionally accredited institution. However, the program may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
- Official transcripts from the awarding institution must specify the date upon which the degree was issued.
- An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and graduate GPA combined).
- While a holistic review is adopted, admission is competitive; most accepted applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
- Completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- This applies to international applicants only.
- Successfully completed the following courses:
- General Biology (1 semester with lab)
- Additional Biology (1 semester with lab)
- Calculus and/or statistics (1 year)
- General Chemistry (1 year with lab)
- Organic Chemistry I (1 semester with lab)
- Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry (1 semester, lab not required)
- Physics (one semester; one year preferred)
- An additional course in mathematics, computer science or chemistry may substitute for the second semester of physics.
Applicants must also have previous laboratory research experience (hypothesis-driven research outside regular laboratory courses), and we recommend that they take additional courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Complete the online application including a personal statement, along with the $86 application fee:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, sent by the registrar at those institutions
- Official transcripts from the awarding institution must specify the date upon which the degree is issued.
- Transcripts must be sent to BioMedCAS only. BioMedCAS only accepted electronic transcripts from Credentials Solutions, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse. If your school does not offer either of these services, your transcripts must be sent via mail. Please use the information below to send your transcripts.
- Sending transcripts to BioMedCAS electronically:
- Credentials Solutions - http://www.transcriptsplus.net/order
- Parchment - https://www.parchment.com/order/
- National Student Clearinghouse - http://www.studentclearinghouse.org
- Sending transcripts to BioMedCAS by mail:
- Download a transcript request form after you enter each institution in BioMedCAS.
- Send the transcript request form to the institution registrar to send the transcript by mail to the address below:
BioMedCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9207
Watertown, MA 02471
- Three letters of recommendation submitted using the form provided within the online application
- At least two letters should be written by faculty at colleges attended by the applicant who are familiar with the student’s academic and research capabilities
- Only professional references are acceptable. Letters from personal friends and family members will not be considered.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
Sending International Transcripts to BioMedCAS
- BioMedCAS will ONLY accept the evaluation report from the credentialing agency. Do not send your foreign transcript to BioMedCAS.
- All other foreign transcript evaluations from the credentialing agency must be sent directly to BioMedCAS.
Transcript evaluation: International applicants who attended any institution outside of the United States must contact one of the following credentialing agencies to submit transcripts for official evaluation:
These are preferred credentialing services. If you wish to select a company other than these, please contact us first.
Note: It can take 4 to 6 weeks for transcript evaluations to arrive after the agency receives transcripts. Plan ahead and request these documents early. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Translation: If the academic institution that you attended does not issue documents in English, the credentialing agency may require that you submit a word-for-word translation of your transcripts if they do not have this service available for purchase. You can contact University Language Services to submit your transcript for translation and instruct them to send the translated transcript to the credentialing agency.
TOEFL: International applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL exam and receive a score as follows:
- Paper-based test: 550
- Computer-based test: 213
- IBT exam: 80
The TOEFL School Code is B886.
Please take the TOEFL exam online through the Education Testing Service (ETS) and request your TOEFL scores be sent directly to the Admissions and Enrollment team for Health Professions. ETS reports scores for two years after the test date. If you have previously taken the TOEFL but the two-year period has expired, the program will accept a personal copy if available.
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer of credit may be allowed for courses comparable to those offered in our program. Courses must have been taken at an accredited biomedical or biological sciences graduate program in the U.S. Grades of B or higher or a passing grade in a pass/fail course are required. The Biomedical Sciences PhD program may accept up to 12 transfer credits. Transfer credit will be determined by the program director in consultation with program faculty after matriculation of a student into the program.
Official transcripts must be sent to BioMedCAS. Test scores and supportive application documents should be electronically submitted or mailed to the Admissions and Enrollment team for Health Professions.
Technical Standards
The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training of the Biomedical Sciences PhD program are referred to as technical standards. These abilities and skills are essential for entry into most professional practice settings associated with these degree programs.
1.0 Observation Skills Technical Standard
1.01 Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory, and tactile) in the lecture hall, laboratory, and/or online settings.
1.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, this example:
- Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations, and other imaging texts.
2.0 Communication Skills Technical Standard
2.01 Demonstrate effective communication skills with other students, faculty members, laboratory staff members, and scientific colleagues.
2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
- Clear, efficient, and intelligible articulation of verbal language.
- Legible, efficient, and intelligible written English language.
- Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.
- Accurate and efficient expressive and receptive communication skills.
- Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions.
3.0 Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard
3.01 Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
3.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
- Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
- Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
- Demonstrate ability to pursue a course of independent research in a laboratory setting, including the ability to plan and execute experiments.
4.0 Motor And Sensory Function Technical Standard
4.01 Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical research laboratory duties.
4.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
- Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory and tactile) to use laboratory equipment and perform experiments.
- Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom and laboratories).
- Physical stamina sufficient to complete the didactic and laboratory requirements, including prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
5.0 Behavioral And Social Attributes Technical Standard
5.01 Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing laboratory professional.
5.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
- Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
- Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, students and other members of the research team.
- Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes and values in roles, functions and relationships.
- Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
- Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty associated with technical difficulties in research or scientific review (e.g., criticism of ideas shared in written or oral presentations, manuscripts, etc.).
- Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the Student Handbook and the BMS Program Handbook.
Curriculum Requirements
Our program aims to develop graduates who will pursue careers as independent investigators with an appreciation for both basic and clinical aspects of biomedical research.
Students will complete 2 years of core academic courses, three laboratory rotations, and advanced electives. Beginning in the summer following the first year, students will start mentored doctoral research projects in a faculty member’s laboratory.
There will also be Concentrations for the PhD track, allowing students to develop focused expertise through (3) electives while maintaining a shared biomedical core. In the newly merged PhD program, these areas are reorganized into three broader concentrations: Translational Sciences, Life Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Sciences, along with a No-Concentration track. Students pursuing a concentration are required to complete three elective courses (minimum 6 credit hours) within that area, while students in the No-Concentration track may choose electives from any of the three concentrations.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course Sequence | ||
| Year 1 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 711 | Molecular & Cellular Techniques | 2 |
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 801 | Biomedical Sciences Lab Rotation I | 1 |
| BMED 810 | Core Concepts 1: Foundations of Biomedical Science | 5 |
| Year 1 - Spring (10 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 802 | Biomedical Sciences Lab Rotation II | 1 |
| BMED 803 | Biomedical Sciences Lab Rotation III | 1 |
| BMED 820 | Core Concepts 2: Systems and Translational Biology | 5 |
| BMED 821 | Biostatistics for the Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
| BMED 822 | Responsible Conduct in Science | 1 |
| Year 1 - Summer (3 credits) | ||
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research (Elective optional) | 3 |
| Year 2 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 830 | Scientific Writing | 2 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 4 |
| Concentration 1/Elective | 2 | |
| Year 2 - Spring (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 840 | Applied Bioinformatics and Structural Biology | 3 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 2 |
| Concentration 2/Elective | 3 | |
| Year 2 - Summer (3 credits) | ||
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research (Elective optional) | 3 |
| Year 3 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 5 |
| Concentration 3/Elective | 3 | |
| Year 3 - Spring (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 8 |
| Year 3 - Summer (3 credits) | ||
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 3 |
| Year 4 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 8 |
| Year 4 - Spring (2 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Year 4 - Summer (1 credit) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Year 5 - Fall (1 credit) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Year 5 - Spring (1 credits) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research (Oral Presentation of Research) | 1 |
| Doctoral Graduate Credit (Optional) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 78 | |
Translational Sciences Concentration
The Translational Sciences concentration prepares students to bridge fundamental biomedical research and clinical application, equipping them to address pressing human health challenges. Through a diverse range of electives, students develop expertise in disease mechanisms, therapeutic development, and emerging technologies in translational research, while tailoring their training to specific research interests. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in biomedical research, clinical translation, and biotechnology innovation.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BMED 730 | Methods & Logic in Translational Biology | 2-3 |
| BMED 740 | Histology for Researchers | 2 |
| BMED 741 | Cancer Biology, Translational and Clinical Research, AI/ML/Big Data in Medicine and Scienc | 2 |
| BMED 742 | Comparative Reproductive Biology | 2 |
| BMED 743 | Aging and Age-Related Diseases | 2 |
| BMED 744 | AI-Assisted RNA Sequencing Data Analysis and Visualization | 2 |
| BMED 745 | Integrative Neuroscience | 2 |
| BMED 746 | Neuroscience Concepts and Methods | 2 |
| BMED 747 | Noncoding RNA Networks in Cancer & Metastasis | 2 |
| BMED 748 | Glycosylation in Health and Disease | 2 |
| BMED 749 | Genetic Animal Models for Biomedical Research | 2 |
| BIOL 525 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 840 | Vaccinology | 3 |
| BIOL 845 | Advanced Immunology | 3 |
| BIOL 881 | Autoimmunity and Transplantation | 3 |
| CHEM 847 | Medical Biochemistry | 3 |
| MDTS 830 | Chromosome Biology and Human Disease | 3 |
| MDTS 840 | Stem Cells: Biology and Therapy | 3 |
| MDTS 842 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
Life Sciences Concentration
The Life Sciences concentration offers an in-depth exploration of core biological processes at the molecular,
cellular, and systems levels. Students engage in a broad set of electives that reinforce foundational principles
and provide opportunities to focus on areas of interest within the life sciences. This concentration provides
rigorous training for careers in academic research, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary biomedical science.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BMED 742 | Comparative Reproductive Biology | 2 |
| BMED 745 | Integrative Neuroscience | 2 |
| BMED 746 | Neuroscience Concepts and Methods | 2 |
| BMED 748 | Glycosylation in Health and Disease | 2 |
| BMED 749 | Genetic Animal Models for Biomedical Research | 2 |
| BIOE 855 | Biomembranes and Ion Channels | 3 |
| BIOL 536 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | 3 |
| BIOL 805 | Advanced Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 837 | Advanced One Health | 3 |
| BIOL 845 | Advanced Immunology | 3 |
| BIOL 881 | Autoimmunity and Transplantation | 3 |
| CHEM 847 | Medical Biochemistry | 3 |
| MDTS 830 | Chromosome Biology and Human Disease | 3 |
| MDTS 840 | Stem Cells: Biology and Therapy | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Sciences Concentration
The Interdisciplinary Sciences concentration allows students to design a customized curriculum that integrates multiple fields across biomedical science. Electives emphasize emerging and cross-disciplinary areas, including computational biology, data science, engineering approaches, and advanced genomics. This flexible structure fosters innovative training, preparing students to address complex biomedical challenges and pursue careers at the interface of biology, computation, and translational research.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BMED 741 | Cancer Biology, Translational and Clinical Research, AI/ML/Big Data in Medicine and Scienc | 2 |
| BMED 744 | AI-Assisted RNA Sequencing Data Analysis and Visualization | 2 |
| BIOE 554 | Introduction to Bioelectrics | 3 |
| BIOE 854 | Advanced Bioelectrics | 3 |
| BIOE 855 | Biomembranes and Ion Channels | 3 |
| CHEM 847 | Medical Biochemistry | 3 |
| CS 823 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
| MDTS 842 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
Path for Master's (36 credits) to PhD (42 credits) = 78 credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 830 | Scientific Writing | 2 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 4 |
| Concentration 1/Elective | 2 | |
| Year 1 - Spring (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 840 | Applied Bioinformatics and Structural Biology | 3 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 2 |
| Concentration 2/Elective | 3 | |
| Year 1 - Summer (3 credits) | ||
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 3 |
| Year 2 - Fall (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 5 |
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| Concentration 3/Elective | 3 | |
| Year 2 - Spring (9 credits) | ||
| BMED 800 | Scientific Communication | 1 |
| BMED 898 | Doctoral Research | 8 |
| Year 2 - Summer (1 credit) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Year 3 - Fall (1 credit) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Year 3 - Spring (1 credit) | ||
| BMED 899 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
| Doctoral Graduate Credit | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 42 | |