Program Overview

Biomedical Sciences Dual Degree, D.O./Ph.D.

The dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (D.O./Ph.D.) degree program is designed for the future physician who desires to see patients in a clinical setting while still maintaining an active interest in research. Areas of emphasis include biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.

Program Details

• Department: School of Biomedical Sciences
• College: Graduate College
• Available At: OSU Center for Health Sciences
• Degree: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
• Specialty Area(s): Biomedical Sciences, PhD Courses
  • Anatomy & Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry & Microbiology
  • Pathology
  • Pharmacology & Physiology

Curriculum

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (D.O./Ph.D.) program is offered to medical students interested in medical research and/or academic medicine. The D.O./Ph.D. program is typically completed in seven to nine years. All degree requirements must be completed within nine years of entering the dual degree program.

• A total of 60 graduate credit hours are required for the Ph.D. degree; with a minimum of 30 hours course work and 30 hours of Research and Dissertation.
• D.O./Ph.D. students are typically not allowed to transfer graduate credit from other institutions.
• The requirements for the Ph.D. degree component of the D.O./Ph.D. degree are similar. However, there are some requirements that are unique to the D.O./Ph.D. degree program.

Program Structure

• Year 1-5: Complete Ph.D. degree requirements including courses, comprehensive qualifying examination, research, public defense, dissertation.
• Upon completion of Ph.D. requirements or Year 6-7: Complete first and second year medical school curriculum (D.O).
• Year 8-9: Complete third and fourth year medical school curriculum (D.O).

Research and Faculty

The program allows future physicians to engage in research, with faculty expertise in various areas including Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry & Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology & Physiology.

Admissions

• Applicants to the D.O./Ph.D. program must apply separately to both the D.O. and Ph.D. programs.
• Application requirements:
  • Applicants to the D.O./Ph.D. program are not required to submit a GRE score if they have earned a score of 500 or greater on the MCAT.
  • Applicants with a GRE score greater than 150 on both the verbal and quantitative sections and a writing score of at least 4.0, and an MCAT score of less than 500 will also be considered.
  • Non-U.S. citizens must have a permanent resident visa.
• Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in their biomedical coursework. An academic review will occur in May at the end of each year of coursework to evaluate the progress of the student in the program.

Cost & Assistance

• Oklahoma resident and non-resident tuition rates are applicable to students in the School of Biomedical Sciences.
• Stipend support is limited and available on an annual competitive basis. Stipends are awarded for 12 months, from July 1 through June 30. Stipends may be awarded for full or partial amounts.
• Stipend Requirements:
  • Only students working towards the doctorate degree are eligible for stipends.
  • Must be enrolled full-time for the entire year.
  • Must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and maintain good academic standing.
  • Normally, students receiving stipends are not employed and are expected to work full-time at the OSU Center for Health Science. However, eligible students receiving another source of income may apply for stipends.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to apply for extramural funding by the end of the first year of stipend support, and if necessary, each year thereafter.
  • Full stipends will not be extended beyond 5 years.