Ph.D in Biomedical Science - Molecular Medicine

To be admitted to the Ph.D. or Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) Program, applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Typically, applicants will have an undergraduate major in Biology or a related discipline. For international applicants, an appropriate test of English language proficiency is required. Scores from The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are accepted and a minimum iBT score of 84, or pBT score of 550 is required. Scores from The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) are also accepted and a minimum score of 6.5 is required. A prior Masters degree is not required to enter the PhD program. At this time, all students accepted without provisions into the PhD in Biomedical Science Program, and maintaining good academic standing, will receive a full tuition scholarship and a research stipend funded in whole or in part by the College of Graduate Studies and funding from a student's advisor through a grant(s). There are also a limited number of tuition scholarships and stipends available for students in the Masters in Biomedical Sciences programs.

BMSP 6330Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins2
BMSP 6340Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom2
BMSP 6360Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes2
BMSP 6380Methods in Biomedical Sciences2
BMSP 6390Mentored Research1
BMSP 6470System Pathophysiology4
BMSP 6350Cell Biology & Signaling3
BMSP 5320Statistical Methods I3
INDI 6020On Being a Scientist1
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 6500Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine3
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 8730Research in Molecular Medicine6
MOME 8500Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine3
MOME 8300Seminar in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 8890Independent Study in Molecular Medicine4
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine30
BMSP 8250Grant Writing Workshop3
ELectives18
Total Hours90

The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 20 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The rest of the credits are approved electives and research in the Molecular Medicine track. 

FIRST TERM9
Introduction to Biomedical Research 10
Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in:
BMSP 6330Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins2
BMSP 6340Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom2
BMSP 6360Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes2
BMSP 6380Methods in Biomedical Sciences2
BMSP 6390Mentored Research (two five week rotations)1
SECOND TERM9
BMSP 6350Cell Biology & Signaling3
BMSP 6470System Pathophysiology4
BMSP 6390Mentored Research (one 5 week lab rotation)1
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
THIRD TERM6 credits
BMSP 5320Statistical Methods I (Required BMS core course)3
INDI 6020On Being a Scientist1
MOME 8730Research in Molecular Medicine2

 1 Required

MOME PhD Program Students: Year 2 and beyond required courses:

MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine 11
MOME 6500Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine 23
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine 31
BMSP 8250Grant Writing Workshop 43

1 Required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years.
2 Required in fall of 2nd year
3 Required in fall and spring of 2nd and 3rd years
4 Required in spring of 2nd year

Curriculum to include advanced electives in Molecular Medicine or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours. Students will also be expected to present a poster or oral presentation in the annual COMLS Graduate Research Forum in the spring of each year and the Pharmacology Research Colloquium. The Pharmacology Research Colloquium is held on a rotating basis at UTHSC, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. It is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973. These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

PhD Program Students: Year 2
FOURTH TERM9
MOME 8500Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine3
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 8730Research in Molecular Medicine (or Electives)4
or MOME 8890 Independent Study in Molecular Medicine

The PhD Qualifying Exam is taken at the end of the Fall semester of the second year. Prior to passing the PhD Qualifying Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Research in Molecular Medicine (MOME 6730, 1-9 credit hours) or in some cases Independent Study in Molecular Medicine (MOME 6890). After passing the PhD Qualifying Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Dissertation Research (MOME 9990). 

FIFTH TERM9
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
BMSP 8250Grant Writing Workshop3
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine (and/or Electives)4
SIXTH TERM6
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine (or Electives)6
PHD PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 3
SEVENTH TERM9
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine7
EIGHTH TERM9
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 6600Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine7
NINTH TERM6
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine6
PHD PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 4 AND BEYOND
Fall, Spring and Summer
MOME 6300Seminars in Molecular Medicine1
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine 15 or 8
8 (fall and spring); 5 (summer) 1
Total: 9 (fall and spring); 6 (summer)
PHD Program students: Year 5 and beyond
MOME 9990Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine 11
1 credit until graduation 1
  • PLO 1. FY1. Identify and summarize the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 2. FY2. Describe the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that maintain the normal function, development, and plasticity of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 3. FY3. Summarize basic disease causes and processes that affect the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 4. FY4. Assess and critically analyze relevant basic science and clinical literature.
  • PLO 5. FY5. Design and conduct applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
  • PLO 6. FY6. Organize, interpret and summarize results of applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
  • PLO 7. FY7. Demonstrate ethical and responsible conduct in research and all other scholarly activities consistent with the University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, Standards of Conduct
  • PLO 8. K1 Describe the normal structure and function of the body and its major organ systems, with emphasis on the systems studied in MOME laboratories (e.g., cardiovascular, renal, digestive, endocrine and neuroendocrine systems)
  • PLO 9. K2 Describe biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms that are important in maintaining cardiac and vascular function as well as metabolism and energy balance.
  • PLO 10. K3 Explain the pathophysiology of prevalent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.
  • PLO 11. K4 Describe the genetic and environmental basis of prevalent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
  • PLO 12. K5 Describe the epidemiology of prevalent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
  • PLO 13. K6 Describe the basic principles of pharmacology (drug action)and pharmacology of specific drugs used in the treatment of prevalent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
  • PLO 14. K7 Apply statistical methods in the design and interpretation of research projects.
  • PLO 15.K8 Apply the principles that govern ethical decision making in the design and conduct of research projects, including the publication and reporting of results.
  • PLO 16. K9 Describe the various approaches used to develop research proposals and to raise funds to finance biomedical research projects.
  • PLO 17. S1 The ability to perform most basic laboratory procedures that are commonly used in the track laboratories.
  • PLO 18. S2 The ability to perform advanced/specialized procedures that are necessary for the completion of the student’s thesis research project(s)
  • PLO 19. S3 The ability to design and complete independent research projects, including the introduction and optimization of unfamiliar techniques and the development of new research techniques
  • PLO 20. S4 The ability to perform productively as a member of a research team and train junior students in routine and basic laboratory techniques
  • PLO 21. S5 The ability to recognize hazardous procedures in the laboratory and follow appropriate precautions to protect the laboratory and institutional personnel
  • PLO 22. S6 The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with other students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty members, as well as with national and international collaborators
  • PLO 23. S7 The ability to present their results at local, national and international meetings as well as to be able to organize and chair local meetings
  • PLO 24. S8 The ability to retrieve biomedical information from electronic databases and other sources; to manage, and utilize the information, including by use of bioinformatics, in order to develop hypotheses to address scientific issues and the means to test them and to discuss the results in the context of reports in the literature.
  • PLO 25. S9 The ability to write and submit manuscripts and to communicate effectively with scientific journal editors and reviewers
  • PLO 26. S10 The ability to write a comprehensible research proposal and raise funds to support it from federal, state and other funding agencies
  • PLO 27. P1 Students will demonstrate ethical, responsible, reliable, and dependable behavior in all aspects of their professional lives, and a commitment to the profession and society.
  • PLO 28. P2 Students will demonstrate honesty and integrity in all interactions with faculty advisors, colleagues, faculty members, laboratory and institutional staff, research subjects, and others with whom students may interact in their professional lives.
  • PLO 29. P3 Students will demonstrate honesty and integrity in research conduct and reporting of results.
  • PLO 30. P4 Students will demonstrate responsible behavior while using shared equipment and facilities.
  • PLO 31. P5 Students will demonstrate responsible behavior and willingness to train and teach junior students to the best of their knowledge.
  • PLO 32. P6 Students will demonstrate professionalism in dress and grooming incompliance with health and safety rules applicable to the research laboratories and other research sites.
  • PLO 33. P7 Students will demonstrate compassionate treatment of patients as subjects of research, and respect for their privacy and dignity.
  • PLO 34. P8 Students will demonstrate compassionate treatment of experimental animals, and respect for all laws and regulations applicable to the use of animals in medical research.
  • PLO 35. P9 Students will demonstrate professionalism in following rules and regulations set by different committees of the institution, e.g. IACUC, IRB, Biohazard committee, Radiation Safety etc.