Biomedical Sciences Ph.D.

Year 1

Fall
GSBS 5471 - Core I: Molecules
GSBS 5372 - Core II: Cells
GSBS 5373 - Core III: Genes
GSBS 5174 -  Core IV: Biomedical Seminar
GSBS 5275 - Core V: Introduction to Biomedical Seminar
 

Spring
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GSBS 5101 - Responsible Conduct of Research
GSBS 5098 - Techniques in Biomedical Research (6 Credit Hours)

& Choose two of three electives:

• GBCM 6320 - Advanced Cell Biology
• GBCM 6333 - Advanced Protein Chemistry
• GBTC 5340 - Biology of Cancer

Summer
GSBS 7000 - Research

Year 2

Fall
GBCM 7101- Seminar
GBCM 7000 - Research

Spring
GBCM 5130 - Research Presentation Skills 
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 7000 - Research

Summer
GBCM 7000 - Research

Year 3

Fall
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Spring
GBCM 5130 - Research Presentation Skills 
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Summer
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

*Students in the BCMB Ph.D. concentration must pass their qualifying exam before the end of year three (Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology Graduate Concentration).

Year 4

Fall
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Spring
GBCM 5130 - Research Presentation Skills 
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Summer
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Year 5

Fall
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Spring
GBCM 5130 - Research Presentation Skills 
GBCM 7101 - Seminar
GBCM 8000 - Dissertation

Electives and Other Notes

GBCM 5113, 5213, 5313 Selected Topics in Cell and Developmental Biology
GBCM 6101 Biochemistry Conference
GBCM 6135, 6235, 6335, 6535 Topics in Biochemistry

This is a 72 hour program. Students must complete 48 didactic hours, 12 research hours, and 12 dissertation hours in order to meet graduation requirements. 

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Prepare for a career in biomedical research. The Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Concentration prepares students for careers in biomedical research. Specific employment opportunities for graduates include traditional university professorships as well as positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, governmental appointments, and others. The concentration has faculty members with internationally recognized research programs in reproductive biology, diabetes and obesity, structural biology, development, molecular biology, cell biology, translation, cancer, and other diseases.

Develop the skills to drive scientific discovery. Our primary mission is to perform original, cutting-edge research that leads to new discoveries on the molecular mechanisms of biomedical science and disease, and to educate and mentor a diverse group of trainees for careers in biomedical research. 

Investigate problems at the molecular level. This is a research-based concentration with coursework designed to teach students how to approach and solve modern problems in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology. The didactic curriculum includes the GSBS core courses (Molecules, Cells, Genes), and two advanced courses that examine concepts on the forefront of biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, molecular biology, and cancer biology.

Begin with hands-on research rotations. During the first year of study, students progress through research rotations in three laboratories to aid in the choice of research mentor. Students with strong backgrounds in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical engineering or other biological sciences will be well suited for this concentration.

Explore Cell Biology & Biochemistry

The Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology integrates several different disciplines (immunology, bacterial pathogenesis, virology, parasitology and molecular biology) to provide students with a unique educational experience leading to a PhD degree concentrated in Immunology and Infectious Diseases. This multidisciplinary concentration is one of six major programs offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

The PhD program is designed primarily to train students for careers in biomedical and life sciences. Traditionally, graduates have found employment opportunities in academia and industry, including research and/or teaching in universities, biotechnology industry, and governmental agencies.

The core curriculum that is shared by all concentrations in the first semester of year one is used as a foundation for more specialized courses tailored to the students' specific needs. Faculty research programs are diverse, encompassing the general areas of structure-function studies, biochemistry and structural biology of membrane proteins, as well as some areas of cell and tissue physiology. Most of the research focuses on membrane proteins, and our Faculty has a close relationship with the Center for Membrane Protein Research (CMPR). Specific areas of research include membrane proteins (ion channels, transporters), membrane biophysics, and cell biology and physiology of the lung. The proteins of interest are associated with important diseases or disorders that include cardiac arrhythmias (potassium channels, connexins), genetic diseases (cystic fibrosis, migraine, deafness), neurological diseases (nAChR family; epilepsy, addiction, Alzheimer, Parkinson) and cancer (multidrug-resistance proteins, folate transporter).

Techniques that students may acquire vary widely and may include:

• Molecular biology (e.g., cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, library construction)
• Biochemistry (e.g., protein characterization, purification and activity)
• Biophysics (e.g., X-ray crystallography, electrophysiology (patch-clamp), spectroscopic methods that include fluorescence, FT-IR, CD, EPR)
• Cell biology (high-resolution imaging, biochemistry of cell signaling)
• Heterologous (over)expression of recombinant proteins

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in research. All candidates for graduate degrees who hold assistantships must fulfill certain requirements while appointed as assistants.

The objective of the Translational Neuroscience & Pharmacology graduate concentration is to prepare students for a broad range of potential careers, including research and teaching.

The Faculty of the graduate concentration seek to:

• Foster a creative and productive research environment
• Provide encouragement and positive challenge
• Equip students with the intellectual tools and critical thinking skills they will need to be effective teachers, investigators, etc.

Specialized research training is available in the following areas

• Brain health
• Pain
• Neuroplasticity
• Alcohol use disorder
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Stroke
• Cancer

Concentration Information

All Biomedical Sciences PhD students are admitted as Undeclared and may later select a mentor within the Translation Neuroscience and Pharmacology graduate concentration. In addition, the department houses the Center of Excellence For Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics (CTNT), a team of both basic science and clinical faculty with research interests focused on all aspects of translational neuroscience.