School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - The Mission

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) is a complete health sciences university dedicated to the education and training of future basic scientists and clinicians as well the discovery of new knowledge. Each of the university's 5 colleges and schools -- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and College of Pharmacy -- comprises an interactive and integrated environment for research and education.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Rosalind Franklin University has a proud tradition of training outstanding research scientists for successful careers in the biomedical sciences. In doing so, the graduate school continually strives to contribute to the current fields of research and knowledge. Toward those ends, the graduate school has developed numerous opportunities for students to fulfill their academic goals. Graduate programs provide multiple and varied research experiences followed by in-depth research endeavors that will prepare students for future careers.

It is an exciting time at Rosalind Franklin University. Over the past few years, the university has grown significantly with new basic science investigators throughout each department in addition to the development of new programs and schools. The graduate school is now one of 5 schools at Rosalind Franklin University, all of which are devoted to the biomedical and health professions. The emphasis on interprofessional education at Rosalind Franklin University provides a truly unique, broad-based, interactive academic climate contributing to careers in biomedical sciences. This approach, coupled with the intensive, directed research of individual investigators and their research teams within the graduate school, generates tremendous opportunities for innovative, interdisciplinary research. As such the graduate school is both a focal point and source of innovation, discovery, and progress. The students, staff members, and faculty members within the graduate school all enrich this research environment. Students within the graduate school will find outstanding investigators and educators who are committed to the advancement of science and to maximizing student success in research, education, and training.

Programs of Study Provide Interdisciplinary and Individualized Training

Most students within the graduate school's doctoral program enter the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS). This program immerses 1st year graduate students in a core plan of study that includes laboratory research rotations with faculty mentors. Students engage in original research through 4 laboratory experiences, in addition to participating in graduate level courses. Through the rotations and coursework, students identify research interests and mentors for continued research toward the doctoral degree. The PhD program can lead to degrees in any of the following concentrations: "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology," "Cell Biology and Anatomy," "Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology," "Microbiology and Immunology," "Physiology and Biophysics," or "Neuroscience."

Each student receives mentorship from a primary research adviser and a research committee that functions to guide the student successfully through graduate training. The graduate school also has developed mechanisms of individual graduate student oversight and mentorship at the department level to provide multiple opportunities for training and development.

In addition to the PhD program, the graduate school has partnered with both Chicago Medical School and Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine to offer combined MD/PhD and DPM/PhD programs in these disciplines. These programs allow individuals interested in pursuing physician/scientist careers to have a continuous balance of clinical and research training throughout all years of their education at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. They can then pursue research-based residency programs fostering these unique career paths.

Graduate Research Opportunities Reflect the Wide Array of Faculty Interests

Graduate students have a wide array of research opportunities that span all state-of-the-art approaches to biomedical research. Faculty member research interests include biochemistry, biophysics, cancer biology, cell biology, cell signaling, developmental biology, genomics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, proteomics, regeneration, stem cells, structural biology, and virology. These research fields address basic and translational areas of research in the molecular, cellular, and structural mechanisms of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, addiction, muscular dystrophy, and many others.

Graduate Students Use State-of-the-Art Facilities in their Research

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies are committed to investment in the research infrastructure to support cutting-edge biomedical research. The university's state-of-the-art facilities include fully equipped animal quarters and a spectrum of research support laboratories, such as the Midwest Proteome Center for mass spectrometry and x-ray crystallography, the Protein Structure Center for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), multiple molecular biology core facilities, confocal and electron microscopy support facilities, as well as calcium and live-cell imaging facilities.

Generous Stipends and Full Tuition Waivers Are Available

All students within doctoral programs receive generous stipends. The graduate school provides financial support for the first 18 months of training, after which stipends are derived from research grants and fellowships. In addition, all students within doctoral programs receive full tuition waivers. Students have access to the same health benefits as faculty members. Moderately-priced on and off campus housing options are available.

Rosalind Franklin University is Located in an Outstanding Environment

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is part of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. The university is located in North Chicago, a northern suburb in Lake County, Illinois approximately 35 miles north of downtown Chicago. Its beautiful 96.8-acre campus is home to the Basic and Health Sciences Buildings, the Learning Resource Center, multiple student residence halls, the newly constructed Morningstar Interprofessional Education Center and the Rosalind Franklin University Health System.



The Lovell Federal Health Care Center comprised of the North Chicago Veterans Administration Medical Center and Great Lakes Naval Health Clinic, a part of the Great Lakes Naval Training Facility, provide a sweeping campus for basic, translational, and clinical research. In addition, the extremely close proximity of Abbott Laboratories and other pharmaceutical and health care-related industries in the area provide opportunities for recent graduates.



Lastly, the university is located along the beautiful North Shore region of the Chicago area, close to Lake Michigan, with varied housing opportunities and outstanding schools.

• Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
• Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology
• Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• Department of Neuroscience
• Department of Physiology and Biophysics

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Science (MS)
  Doctor of Podiatric Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy (DPM/PhD)
  Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Required, Required and publication
• Doctoral Degrees Required and Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied65
• Accepted16
• Acceptance Rate24%
• Enrolled10
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $
• Application Fee - International $
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline December 15th December 15th Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, TWE required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableTuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Health Care Benefits, Traineeships, Graduate Assistantships

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchExtracellular matrix, nutrition and mood, neuropsychopharmacology, membrane transport, brain metabolism
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported