Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine University of South Alabama

The Agenda for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Basic Medical Sciences: Opening Minds and Building Careers

Following his success in the revival of the 1918 Spanish Flu virus, University of South Alabama's alumni and internationally renowned research scientist, Terrence Tumpey, described the subsequent attention his accomplished discovery ignited as "quite a ride." The University of South Alabama's Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Basic Medical Sciences (BMS) allows students, like Terrence, to open their mind to the curiosities of their world and to begin career building from "Day One" of their studies. A small liberal arts university, University of South Alabama offers this Ph.D. course of study in the heart of the Gulf Coast region in Mobile, Alabama.

The Basic Medical Sciences program ignites research interests and provides training across traditional medical sciences such as biochemistry and molecular biology, microbiology and immunology, cell biology and neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology. Furthermore, BMS emphasizes interdisciplinary fields such as biomedical engineering, cancer biology, lung biology, and vascular biology.

A Dynamic Environment and State-of-the-Art Facilities Await Basic Medical Sciences Students at USA

With a 1:1 student-faculty ratio, University of South Alabama (USA) gives students plenty of opportunities to learn directly from internationally renowned faculty mentors. Students train in a dynamic learning environment and in state-of-the-art research facilities. BMS graduate students make contributions to scientific research and are the driving force behind the program's ultimate success.

The Basic Medical Sciences program at USA encourages collaboration between disciplines, laboratories, and countries. Many faculty members on the Mobile, Alabama, campus sponsor post-doctoral students from across the globe and collaborate with colleagues internationally. The Basic Medical Sciences program's graduate students are encouraged to attend and present at professional meetings locally, nationally, and abroad.

Job Experience, Opportunities, and Connections Begin on Day One

In USA's Basic Medical Sciences program, students are exposed to numerous lab experiences. They are encouraged to network with visiting distinguished scientists through seminars, professional meetings, and contact via faculty mentors on the Mobile campus. The program's alumni have developed far-reaching ties to academic institutions, corporations, government agencies, private foundations, hospitals, technology firms, and media outlets, giving students unmatched opportunities and connections.

Academics in the Basic Medical Sciences Program Are Challenging and Extremely Rewarding

BMS students matriculate into a one-year core program and become immersed in course work designed to grab their attention. Their days are filled with an energetic curriculum, including journal clubs, seminars, basic science fundamentals, research methods, and lab rotations. Following completion of first-year courses, students choose a major professor, who will be their mentor from the design of a research project to its completion and the defense of the dissertation.

Students gain the edge in learning leadership qualities through participation in a combination of interactive special-topic classes and skill-development seminar courses aimed at training them to write, speak, and present scientifically to their peers at scientific meetings and in the community. They then build a professional C.V. before graduation.

USA's Basic Medical Sciences program's aim is to provide students with an exciting and rewarding graduate school experience that stresses breadth and depth across the curriculum.

Student Life in the Basic Medical Sciences Extends Beyond the Classrooms and Labs

The Basic Medical Sciences program invites students to become a part of its community by participating in the Basic Medical Sciences Student Organization. Students begin to form those "first friendships" in the core class right off the bat. They become active in supporting fellow core classmates and extended friendships with students across the Basic Science curriculum and labs. The student organization encourages life outside academics and research lab through political, environmental, and volunteer organizations. The BMS academic program is enriched by guest lecturers, career training opportunities, art-through-science exhibitions, socials, and participation in community events in Mobile.

Athletics are also a big part of student life on campus. University of South Alabama's JAG football team completed their 2009-10 inaugural season undefeated. South's varsity baseball and basketball teams consistently place in the Sun Belt Conference play-offs, as do the soccer and tennis teams. Additionally, a new Recreation Center offers up plenty of space to unwind from the stresses of everyday life. If that isn't enough, the Gulf Coast provides a perfect setting and weather for lots of outdoor activities, whether they are on the beach, in town, or further down the coast in Florida, Mississippi, or New Orleans.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees 8
• 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? Not reported
• Terminal master's degree available? No

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

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied59
• Accepted15
• Acceptance Rate25%
• Enrolled14
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $25
• Application Fee - International $25
• Electronic applications accepted? Not Reported
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline April 1st March 31st Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE, three semesters or quarters of undergraduate work in physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and English composition, and mathematics (including statistics and calculus) with minimum GPA of 3.0
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$8,592
• Out-of-state tuition *$17,184
• 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 awardsApril 1
• Types of financial support availableInstitutionally-sponsored Loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students56
• Female Percentage55%
• Male Percentage45%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students56
• Part-time Percentage5%
• Full-time Percentage95%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino7%
• Black / African American7%
• White / Caucasian82%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native2%
• Asian2%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown0%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty34
• Full-time Percentage94%
• Part-time Percentage6%
• Female Percentage24%
• Male Percentage76%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchMicrocirculation, molecular biology, cell biology, growth control
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported