Ph.D in Biomedical Science - Molecular Medicine
The Molecular Medicine (MOME) track (formerly Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases) track in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate program at The University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences on the Health Science Campus nurtures students and provides them with the necessary tools to pursue an independent career in biomedical sciences. The program encompasses a unique interdisciplinary approach to train students to conduct research in the underlying molecular mechanisms of diseases that have profound impact on human health.
The program draws on faculty research strengths in signal transduction, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, gene microarrays, genomics, proteomics, gene knockout and transgenics, tissue culture, and protein and carbohydrate biochemistry. The MOME faculty members are not only drawn from its associated department, the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and from the Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research (CeDER), but also from other departments including the Departments of Medicine, and, Orthopedic Surgery. Modern, well-equipped research facilities are available through the participating departments. The MOME program offers degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Masters in biomedical sciences (MSBS). The program also offers these graduate degrees in combination with the Medical Degree (MD) that is offered by the medical school. Students from the four programs, PhD, MSBS, MD/PhD and MD/MSBS, follow a well-defined program that includes core courses, journal clubs, seminars, laboratory rotations, independent research, and electives in the area of interest. Students select faculty advisors and begin their independent dissertation research following the laboratory rotations in the biomedical science core curriculum. The curriculum is designed to enable students, guided by their advisors, to develop the expertise that prepares them for a successful career in research and education.
PhD Program Students: Year 1
The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 25 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. In the first year, students will take 14 credits the first term (Fall), 13 credits the second term (Spring), and 6 credits during summer term. During subsequent years while full-time, students will register for 9, 9, and 6 credits, respectively during fall, spring, and summer terms.
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Biomedical Research 1 | 0 | |
| Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in: | ||
| BMSP 8330 | Curr Prob Res App Protein Str | 2.5 |
| BMSP 8340 | Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genome | 2.5 |
| BMSP 8360 | Curr Prob Cell Membranes | 3 |
| BMSP 8380 | Methods Biomedical Sciences | 3 |
| INDI 8020 | On Being a Scientist | 1 |
| BMSP 8390 | Mentored Research | 1-15 |
| Hours | 13-27 | |
| Second Term | ||
| BMSP 8310 | Systems Pathophysiology I | 2.5 |
| BMSP 8320 | Systems Pathophysiology II | 2.5 |
| BMSP 8350 | Cell Biology & Signaling | 3 |
| BMSP 8390 | Mentored Research | 1-15 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine | 1 |
| Hours | 10-24 | |
| Third Term | ||
| BMSP 7320 | Statistical Methods I (required BMS core course) | 3 |
| MOME 8730 | Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
| BMSP 8390 | Mentored Research (if additional 5 week rotation is necessary) | 1-15 |
| Hours | 5-27 | |
| Total Hours | 28-78 | |
| 1 | Required. |
PhD Program Students: Year 2 and Beyond
In addition to the BMS core requirements, PhD students in the Molecular Medicine track will be required to take the following courses to graduate:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years) | 1 |
| MOME 8500 | Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine (fall) | 3 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine (required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd and 3rd years) | 1 |
| BMSP 8250 | Grant Writing Workshop (spring) | 2 |
| Total Hours | 7 | |
| 1 | Required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. |
| 2 | Required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd and 3rd years. |
Curriculum to include advanced electives in Molecular Medicine or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours.
The PhD Qualifying Exam is taken in the fall semester of the second year.
Prior to passing this exam, the student carries out their research under the course Research in Molecular Medicine (MOME8730) or in some cases Independent Study in Molecular Medicine (MOME 8890). After passing the PhD Qualifying Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Dissertation Research (MOME 9990).
Students will also usually present a poster or oral presentation in the annual UT Health Science Campus Research Forum 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.
Typical Course Schedules for Years 2-4
PhD Program Students: Year 2
| Fourth Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MOME 8500 | Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine (fall) | 3 |
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 8730 | Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
and/or |
||
| MOME 8890 | Independent Study in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
and/or |
||
| Electives | 0-4 | |
| Hours | 7-27 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| BMSP 8250 | Grant Writing Workshop (spring) | 2 |
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
and/or |
||
| Electives | ||
| Hours | 5-13 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
and/or |
||
| Electives | ||
| Hours | 1-9 | |
| Total Hours | 13-49 | |
Second Year Qualifying Examination (successful completion required in spring or summer semester)
PhD Program Students: Year 3
| Seventh Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
| Hours | 3-11 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 8600 | Journal Paper Review in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
| Hours | 3-11 | |
| Ninth Term | ||
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
| Hours | 1-9 | |
| Total Hours | 7-31 | |
PhD Program Students: Year 4 and Beyond
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall, Spring and Summer | ||
| MOME 8300 | Seminar in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring) | 1 |
| MOME 9990 | Dissertation Research in Molecular Medicine | 1-9 |
| 8 (fall and spring); 6 (summer) | ||
| 9 (fall and spring); 6 (summer) | ||
| Total Hours | 2-10 | |