Program Overview

Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences PhD Program

The PhD program in Biomedical Sciences at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine is designed to provide broad, interdisciplinary, and translational training in biomedical sciences. The program offers in-depth training in one of five areas of concentration: Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine.

About the Program

The PhD program is intended to educate premier biomedical scientists who will be tomorrow's leaders in research, education, and government. All students participate in an interdisciplinary first-year experience and then select an area of concentration. The curriculum provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to research training, offering new pathways for learning and discovery.

Key Program Details

• Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years
• Campus Location: Health Sciences Center, with the option to take elective courses at other campuses with permission from the student's Research Advisory Committee.
• Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The PhD degree program is designed as a full-time day program of study.
• Interdisciplinary Study: The graduate program in Biomedical Sciences is interdisciplinary and emphasizes translational research. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty in disease-based research centers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

Areas of Specialization

The program offers five areas of concentration for students:

• Cancer Biology and Genetics
• Infectious Disease and Immunity
• Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
• Neuroscience
• Organ Systems and Translational Medicine

Job Prospects

The program is designed to fully prepare students for a Biomedical Sciences career in academia, industry, and government. Graduates are trained for research and teaching positions.

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 Lewis Katz 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, and after the first year, students receive financial support from extramural funds available to their research mentor.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline

• February 15 for all applicants to the PhD program through BioMedical's Centralized Application Service (BioMedCAS).
• A supplemental application is also required to be submitted directly to Temple University.

Letters of Reference

• Number Required: 3
• From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from faculty and supervisors of research experiences.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration

• Applicants should have undergraduate training in the life sciences, such as Biochemistry, Biology, Cell Biology, or Molecular Biology and Genetics.
• Students are also expected to have training in Chemistry and Mathematics.

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

• In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, describe your interest in Temple's Biomedical Sciences graduate program, research interests and past experiences, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores

• GRE: Optional. Students are not required to submit standardized scores, including GRE or MCAT scores, to supplement their application.
• English proficiency tests (TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic) are required for applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

• Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 37
• Required Courses:
  • Core courses include Molecules to Cells, Experimental Design and Biostatistics, Scientific Integrity and Bioethics, Introduction to Laboratory Research I, Organ Systems: Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutics, Scientific Communications, Introduction to Bioinformatic Tools and Applications, and Introduction to Laboratory Research II.
  • Student Seminar and Journal Club (1 per year)
  • Basic and Advanced Concentration-Specific Electives
  • Research Courses

Additional Requirements

• Laboratory Research: Students complete three laboratory rotations in the first year and participate in seminars and journal clubs in addition to performing research in the laboratory of their choice.
• Research Advisory Committee Meetings: Students meet with their Research Advisory Committee each term to evaluate their progress toward the degree.
• Publication Requirement: Students must have sufficient data for at least one full-length, high-quality, first-author publication before receiving permission to write the dissertation.
• Outside Research Proposal: In the Spring term of the second year, students prepare and defend an NIH-style grant proposal in their area of concentration on a topic distinct from their research.

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.

Dissertation Defense

• The PhD in Biomedical Sciences is a research degree, with research training beginning with three research rotations in the first year and continuing with the selection of an area of concentration and a Dissertation Research Advisor.
• Under the direction of the Dissertation Research Advisor, the student develops an original research project.
• The dissertation must be submitted in complete form not less than 14 days prior to the date of the final examination and must have been read and approved by the Dissertation Research Advisor prior to distribution.
• The Final Examination Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and demonstration of competence within the field of the dissertation and related areas.