Basic Biomedical Sciences

Dean: Professor Ronald Lindahl, Ph.D.
Associate Dean: Associate Professor Steven Waller, Ph.D.

Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota
Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: (605) 677-5254
Fax: (605) 677-6381
E-mail: biomed@usd.edu (M.S. or PhD inquiries) or MDPhD@usd.edu (MD/PhD inquiries)
http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/biomedical-sciences/

FACULTY

For a current listing of faculty members, please see http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/biomedical-sciences/

DEGREES:

Master of Science (Plan A only)
Doctor of Philosophy
MD/PhD (Physician Scientist Program)

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Infectious Disease (formerly Microbiology and Immunology)
Neuroscience
Physiology and Pharmacology
Cancer Biology

Additional Areas of Study:

Cellular and Molecular Biology
Systems Physiology and Structural Biology

Program Description

The Basic Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program of the University of South Dakota provides interdisciplinary graduate education in a variety of basic biomedical science areas. The Program stresses laboratory investigation and original research under the direction of a faculty member. The Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences (Division) also emphasizes flexibility and individual choice in the development of the student’s overall program of study. At the present time, Division faculty are conducting research in the broad areas of Cancer Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases (formerly Microbiology/Immunology), Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Systems Physiology and Structural Biology. More specific information on faculty and student research interests can be found at http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/biomedical-sciences/ .

The program offers the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees, although emphasis is placed on the Ph.D. program of study. In the first year of the Ph.D. program, students take a set of core courses directed at providing information and skills necessary for success in the basic biomedical sciences. This is supplemented with introductory graduate courses in the student’s area of research interest.

In the second year, students typically complete the majority of courses specific to their area of interest and finalize the selection of a faculty mentor to oversee their laboratory research. Courses are available in the areas of anatomy and structural biology (ANAT), biochemistry and molecular biology (BIOC), microbiology and immunology (MICR), neurosciences (NSCI), physiology and pharmacology (PHGY, PHAR, PHPH) and the combined program (CPHD). Students in the Ph.D. program also take a qualifying examination, prepare a written research proposal and participate in seminars and journal clubs offered by the Division.

The Sanford School of Medicine received approval to offer an MD/PhD to prepare students for careers as Physician Scientists. Physician Scientists play a unique role in contemporary medical research, having received extensive training in both medicine and fundamental research. Students admitted to the program will perform original research in one of the laboratories of Sanford School of Medicine and participate in the academic programs required for the MD and PhD programs, including several courses specific for students in this program.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

The GRE General test is required for applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy program. The preferred score for the applicant is the 50th percentile or above in all areas of the General GRE test.
Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a biological, chemistry, or health science may be qualified for admission into the graduate program. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or graduate GPA of 3.0 or better, on a 4.0 scale.
Additional requirements exist for international students.

- Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICIAN-SCIENTIST (MD/PhD) PROGRAM

• Applicants interested in the Physician Scientist (MD/PhD) program apply to the Sanford School of Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). All application materials must be submitted to AMCAS by the deadline posted at: www.usd.edu/medical-school/physician-scientist-program. The course prerequisites, technical standards and MCAT requirement of the MD program are minimal prerequisites and requirements of the Physician Scientist program. Although no minimal grade point average or MCAT score is required, it is expected that competitive applicants will have a strong academic record. Beyond the core academic requirements, the most important factor for admission will be the potential of the applicant to become an independent researcher, as demonstrated by excellence in research experience prior to the application process. The secondary application includes special instructions for applying to the Physician Scientist program. The secondary application will be sent to the applicant electronically upon receipt at Sanford School of Medicine of an AMCAS-verified application to the Physician Scientist program. The deadline for receipt of the completed secondary application is November 15. The supplemental application must include additional information required for admission to the MD and MD/PhD training programs, two letters of reference by individuals qualified to evaluate the applicant’s research potential, a statement of research interest, career goals and special qualifications for the program written by the student, and a detailed report of the student’s previous research experience. Consideration to the Physician Scientist program is independent of admission to the MD program or the PhD program offered at the University of South Dakota. Students interested in being considered for admission to either or both of the separate degree programs must clearly indicate this on their applications and supplemental materials. Acceptance to the Physician Scientist program confers acceptance only for the student positions assigned to the Physician Scientist program. For more information, contact MDPhD@usd.edu.

- Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline for Master’s and PhD Programs

Applications are accepted year-round for fall admission.
Most decisions for the fall semester are made by mid-April.

Application Deadline for Physician Scientist Program (MD/PhD)

See deadlines at www.usd.edu/medical-school/physician-scientist-program.

Physician Scientist (MD/PhD)

The Sanford School of Medicine Physician Scientist program is a modified 2–3–2 program of study that combines course work and research activities over seven years. The program consists of two years of preclinical coursework followed by three years of PhD research, followed by two years of clinical coursework. For more information about the Physician Scientist degree requirements, contact MDPhD@usd.edu.

Research Expertise Available

Expertise for research and training are found within the Division for the following areas: bacterial host-parasite interactions, cardiovascular development, cardiovascular disease, central control of blood pressure, control of respiration, endocrinology mechanisms of DNA repair, gastrointestinal physiology and pharmacology, gene expression, genetic control of myelin development, microbial genetics, microbial physiology, mitochondrial function, neural mechanism of motor control, neural mechanisms of learning and memory, prostate growth and development, protein folding and processing, regulation of cellular growth, regulation of higher order behaviors, signal transduction, viral immunology, and wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Research Facilities Available

Facilities are available to support ongoing research in each of the areas listed above. Division facilities available to students include computer-based 3-D reconstruction techniques, confocal microscopy, DNA microarray system, electrophysiological recording systems, electrophoresis systems, fluorescence-activated cell sorter, high-performance liquid chromatography, high-speed and ultracentrifuge, Level 3 biosafety rooms, molecular biology facility (include DNA sequencing set-ups and computer-linked scanning densitometry and imaging system), quadupole ToF mass spectrophotomer, ProteomeWorks spot cutter system, Amersham Typhoon Imager, LiCor Odyssey Infrared Imaging System, Applied Biosystems Real-Time PCR, physiological recording systems, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, spectrophotometers (UV, visible and infrared) and whole animal plethysmographs.