Basic Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.)

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Basic Biomedical Sciences program provides you an opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary graduate education and begin your career in biomedical research. The program offers specializations in cancer biology, cardiovascular biology, infectious diseases, molecular biology & genetics, neuroscience, and physiology and pharmacology. The program stresses laboratory investigation and original research under the direction of a faculty member. We also emphasize flexibility and individual choice in the development of your overall program of study. Learn more at usd.edu/bbsci.

DELIVERY: On campus

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
CPHD 720 - Foundations I 3 cr
CPHD 721 - Foundations II 3 cr
CPHD 727 - Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research 2 cr
CPHD 890 - Seminar (C) 1 cr (minimum 8 credit hours, may take up to 12 credit hours), 2 cr hrs/year required.
CPHD 898 - Dissertation Research 1 to 15 cr (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
CPHD 710 - Hallmarks of Cancer I 3 cr
CPHD 711 - Hallmarks of Cancer II 3 cr
CPHD 713 - Modern Approaches in Cancer Biology 3 cr
CPHD 714 - Novel Topics in Cancer Biology 1 cr (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.

Infectious Diseases (15 credit hours required):

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

Molecular Biology & Genetics (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
CPHD 718 - Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 cr
CPHD 702 - Signal Transduction 3 cr
CPHD 710 - Hallmarks of Cancer I 3 cr
CPHD 725 - Genetics of Human Disease 3 cr
CPHD 740 - Protein Quality Control 3 cr
CPHD 762 - Molecular Mechanisms of Disease 3 cr
CPHD 763 - Developmental Biology of Disease (C) 3 cr
MICR 722 - Advanced Immunology 4 cr
NSCI 720 - Neurobiology of Disease 4 cr
Advisor approved CPHD/MICR/NSCI journal club or CPHD/MICR/NSCI topics course 1 to 4 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
BIOL 530 - Neurobiology (C) 3 cr
BIOL 732 - Behavioral Neuroscience 3 cr
BIOL 792 - Topics in Biology (C) 1 to 6 cr
NSCI 710 - Neuropharmacology 3 cr
NSCI 711 - Discoveries in Neurosciences 3 cr
NSCI 720 - Neurobiology of Disease 4 cr
NSCI 731 - Medical Neuroscience 3 cr
NSCI 792 - Topics (C) 1 to 4 cr
NSCI 795 - Practicum in Neurosciences (C) 1 cr
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

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs

This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.

Questions?

Basic Biomedical Sciences
605-658-6322 | biomed@usd.edu | usd.edu/biomed

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad