Basic Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Doctor of Philosophy, Basic Biomedical Sciences: Total 81 credit hours

Other coursework will include selected courses offered by the Division relating to the student’s primary area of research interest. The student’s advisory committee must approve the student’s overall program of study.

Major Area Coursework

CPHD 610 - Experimental Design and Analysis 3 cr hrs
CPHD 720 - Foundations I 3 cr hrs
CPHD 721 - Foundations II 3 cr hrs
CPHD 727 - Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research 1 cr hrs
CPHD 890 - Seminar (C) 1 cr hrs (minimum 8 credit hours, may take up to 12 credit hours), 2 cr hrs/year required.
CPHD 898 - Dissertation Research 1 to 15 cr hrs (30+ credit hours required, topic must be in area of specialization)
Supporting coursework: Students may choose either to complete an approved specialization or to complete additional research and coursework subject to advisor and Graduate Committee approval. (18+ credit hours required)

Specialization degrees offered in Basic Biomedical Sciences

Cancer Biology (15 credit hours)
Cardiovascular Biology (15 credit hours)
Infectious Diseases (15 credit hours)
Molecular Biology & Genetics (15 credit hours)
Neuroscience (15 credit hours)
Physiology and Pharmacology (15 credit hours)

The Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences has authority to offer specialization Ph.D. degrees in Cancer Biology, Cardiovascular Biology, Infectious Diseases, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Neurosciences, and Physiology and Pharmacology. Requirements for the specialization Ph.D. degree includes dissertation research and a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework relevant to the specialization area sought as approved by the Division’s Graduate Committee. The dissertation topic must be in specialization area. Below are some example program of studies that would fulfill the specialization course requirement:

Cancer Biology (minimum 15 credit hours required)

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours from the courses listed below or courses approved by Division’s Graduate Committee.

BIOC 752 - Molecular Biology of the Gene 3 cr hrs
CPHD 710 - Hallmarks of Cancer I 3 cr hrs
CPHD 711 - Hallmarks of Cancer II 3 cr hrs
CPHD 713 - Modern Approaches in Cancer Biology 3 cr hrs
CPHD 714 - Novel Topics in Cancer Biology 1 cr hrs (repeatable 3 times)

Cardiovascular Biology (minimum 15 credit hours required)

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours from the courses listed below, or courses approved by Division’s Graduate Committee.

BIOC 752 - Molecular Biology of the Gene 3 cr hrs
CPHD 620 - Foundations of Cardiovascular Sciences 3 cr hrs
CPHD 630 - Advanced Cardiac Biology 3 cr hrs
CPHD 640 - Neural Regulations of Cardiovascular Functions 3 cr hrs
CPHD 702 - Signal Transduction 3 cr hrs
CPHD 730 - Advanced Cardiovascular Pharmacology 3 cr hrs
CPHD 740 - Protein Quality Control 3 cr hrs
CPHD 792 - Topics (C) 1-4 cr hrs
PHGY 731 - Experimental Physiology 2 to 6 cr hrs

Infectious Diseases (15 credit hours):

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours from the courses listed below, or courses approved by Division’s Graduate Committee.

MICR 518 - Fundamentals of Immunology 2 cr hrs
MICR 520 - Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 4 cr hrs
MICR 722 - Advanced Immunology 4 cr hrs
MICR 732 - Microbial Genetics 4 cr hrs
MICR 736 - Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis 4 cr hrs
MICR 792 - Topics (C) 3 cr hrs

Neurosciences (minimum of 15 credit hours required):

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours from the courses listed below, or courses approved by Division’s Graduate Committee.

ANAT 732 - Advanced Neuroanatomy 5 cr hrs
BIOL 530 - Neurobiology (C) 3 cr hrs
BIOL 732 - Behavioral Neuroscience 3 cr hrs
BIOL 792 - Topics in Biology (C) 1 to 6 cr hrs
NSCI 710 - Neuropharmacology 3 cr hrs
NSCI 711 - Discoveries in Neurosciences 3 cr hrs
NSCI 720 - Neurobiology of Disease 4 cr hrs
NSCI 731 - Medical Neuroscience 3 cr hrs
NSCI 792 - Topics (C) 1 to 4 cr hrs
NSCI 795 - Practicum in Neurosciences (C) 1 cr hrs
IMC 602 Nervous System (MD/PhD students only) 6cr

Physiology and Pharmacology (minimum 15 credit hours required)

In addition to the course below, select a minimum of 12 additional credit hours approved by Division’s Graduate Committee for the area of Physiology and Pharmacology.

CPHD 702 - Signal Transduction 3 cr hrs

Student Learning Outcomes

Critically apply knowledge to address fundamental questions in their primary area of study.
Pursue research of significance in their discipline of interest. Students plan and conduct this research or implement this project under the guidance of an advisor while developing the intellectual independence that typifies true scholarship.
Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication sufficient to publish and present original work in their field and to prepare grant proposals.
Follow the principles of responsible conduct of biomedical research.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization