Baylor College of Medicine - Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine - Overview
An Esteemed Faculty Presents an Innovative, Curriculum to Young, Energetic, and Motivated Minds
Baylor College of Medicine's translational biology and molecular medicine (TBMM) graduate program trains PhD candidates to conduct cutting-edge research in preclinical and translational biology. TBMM is an interdepartmental program for training the next generation of PhD and MD/PhD biomedical researchers, inculcating in students the desire to commit themselves to human health research.
Faculty members from all basic science and clinical departments, and the clinical research centers, are in the TBMM program. More than 150 strong, they present students with the broadest possible spectrum of research opportunities dealing with every aspect of molecular medicine and human disease. Students receive dual mentoring, by basic scientists as well as clinical mentors, and attend innovative courses in an integrated curriculum. The clinical component of the curriculum covers all aspects of human diseases, with a focus on disease mechanisms and treatment, and also covers ethical principles and practical aspects of clinical and translational research. Students participate in clinical rotations related to their thesis research projects and learn how to translate "bench research" into clinical application.
Students get a rigorous and challenging education in basic biomedical sciences while being introduced to human health and disease issues through the dual mentorship process. The collaborative work environment helps the program produce scientists with hands-on leadership experience and first-hand experience in translational research. The PhD program is funded in part by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute "Med into Grad Initiative," which provides grants to various institutions that introduce graduate students in basic biological sciences to the world of clinical medicine, and by an institutional T32 training grant in Molecular Medicine from the National Institutes of Health.
Houston Is Optimal for Medical Research Studies, with Outstanding Scientific Resources Balanced by Cultural Riches
Houston is a lively, young, dynamic, and modern city with almost 5 million inhabitants. Its extensive, varied, and affordable cultural, artistic, and recreational opportunities offer numerous ways to balance the demanding lifestyle of a PhD candidate. From theaters, opera, art museums, a natural history museum, a planetarium, and a symphony orchestra to soul singers, jazz concerts, nightlife, and a full range of professional sports franchises, there is never a lack of things to do in Houston.
The greater metropolitan area is home to a number of large university campuses, as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson NASA Manned Spacecraft Center complex. Within a very short drive around town or beyond, there are myriad public parks, outdoor recreation areas for hiking and climbing, beautiful Gulf beaches for fishing and swimming on the coast, and sports facilities for every kind of athlete or fan.
From Tuition and Stipends to Health Insurance and Living Costs, Baylor Knows How to Take Care of Its PhD Students
One major advantage of acceptance at an institution of Baylor's size and status is that the students in the small selective group accepted into such graduate programs as TBMM receive full financial support throughout their graduate school careers. Tuition costs for PhD students are typically paid through scholarships awarded directly by the college, which are available to every student. All PhD students receive a generous stipend of $29,000, health insurance is paid for, and additional financial aid may also be available for eligible students.
Baylor College of Medicine is the only private medical school in the American Southwest, and has one of the lower tuitions among all private medical schools in the country. Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $22,000, but all matriculating graduate students receive tuition scholarships. Students are expected to pay certain fees, such as a matriculation fee of $25, a student fee of $150 for the first year and $20 for subsequent years, and a graduation fee of $190 in year four. If students are on temporary visas, they must also pay the annual international services fee, which is $75 for F-1 visa holders or $100 for those with a J-1 visa.
Living and housing costs are reasonable. Available nearby are many privately owned, furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses, with a wide range of rental prices. The cost of living in Houston is less than in most other large US cities in almost every category.
High-Quality Matriculants, Top-Rated Curriculum, and Dedicated Teachers Produce Individual and Institutional Excellence
Baylor College of Medicine is consistently ranked as a top medical school in Texas, and regarded far and wide as one of the best medical schools in the country. Baylor ranked 24th for research in the 2011 "US News and World Report" list of top medical schools, and its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is also highly rated. Baylor is ranked 13th in funding from the National Institutes of Health among all US medical schools.
The 585 PhD students enrolled in 2011-12 represent a number of states and countries, and 53 percent of them are women.
Baylor graduates often accept postdoctoral research appointments, which are followed by careers in medicine, academics, business, or industry. The career options for a Baylor College of Medicine PhD are, in fact, world-class and far ranging, and also include science education, environmental affairs, non-profit organizations, and government service.