Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Offers Biomedical Science MS degrees and PhD Degrees in individual disciplines

The School of Graduate Studies at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) offers the only biomedical PhD degree in northwest Louisiana. A MS degree in Biomedical Science is also available, and a combined MD/PhD degree is available to exceptional students enrolled in the School of Medicine. These degrees are offered in the five basic science departments in the School of Medicine: the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department; the Cellular Biology and Anatomy Department; the Microbiology and Immunology Department; the Molecular and Cellular Physiology Department; and the Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience Department. A track within the Cellular Biology and Anatomy Department offers an MS degree that is designed to train students who wish to pursue careers as educators of human anatomy. Graduates of these programs have developed careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and other related areas. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center's special areas of research strength include the Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, the Center for Cardiovascular Disease and Science, the Feist-Weiler Cancer Center, and neuroscience research. Thesis and dissertation projects in these areas are available through several departments and investigators. LSUHSC's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology emphasizes research training in molecular biology, molecular genetics, epigenetics, cancer biology, protein chemistry, protein synthesis, protein engineering, enzyme mechanisms, bioinformatics, nucleic acid chemistry, cellular neuroscience, and membrane biochemistry. The Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy offers courses and research training in basic biological processes related to tissue and organ development and function, cancer biology, cardiovascular diseases, neurobiology, and neurovascular coupling. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a program of courses and laboratory research training in molecular and tumor virology, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, immunology, and cancer biology. The Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology offers research training in cardiovascular and cell physiology, and in the pathophysiology of different diseases. The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience emphasizes broad training and multidisciplinary approaches to understand disease mechanisms and treatment strategies encompassing addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and renal function. In addition, each department supports a combined MD/PhD program in which the first two years are completed in the School of Medicine, then the requirements for the PhD degree are completed in the School of Graduate Studies, followed by the last two years of medical school. Applicants must first be accepted into the School of Medicine and may then apply to the PhD program in the department of choice.

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Research Facilities

In addition to the extensive departmental research facilities, the university's Research Core Facility (RCF) provides shared instrumentation for confocal microscopy (including multiphoton confocal), automated cellular imaging, fluorescence microscopy, DNA-array analysis, flow cytometry, laser capture microdissection, mass spectrometry, and real-time PCR. The Animal Imaging Facility (part of the RCF) provides microPET/SPECT/CT, and in vivo chemiluminescence and fluorescence imaging capabilities. An AAALAC-accredited animal facility supports the needs for use of animals in research. A Biosafety Level 3 facility is available for research involving hazardous materials. The library that serves the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center includes small group teaching rooms, teleconferencing facilities, and state-of-the-art computer labs. This library houses a collection of print volumes, offers journals in either print or electronic format, and provides electronic access to databases and books. The Academic Computing Center provides use of mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer facilities.

Louisiana State University Graduate Program Financial Aid

The graduate program at LSU offers financial support in the form of stipends, and waiver of tuition fees is available to qualified, full-time PhD students. These stipends are awarded on a competitive basis. Tuition waivers are available for the entire program of study for the combined MD/PhD degrees.

Admission to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Admission to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center graduate program is gained through admission to a departmental program. Applications may be submitted directly to the School of Graduate Studies, or to the department of interest. Requirements include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with an acceptable GPA, an acceptable score on the GRE, and satisfactory standing at the school most recently attended. A TOEFL score of 550 or better or an IELTS score of 6.5 or better is required of international students. Acceptable scores for the GRE and the required GPA are defined by individual departments. All departments encourage applicants to come for an interview whenever possible, and an interview may be a requirement for admission.

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Campus and Community Amenities

In addition to the School of Graduate Studies, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport also includes the School of Medicine and School of Allied Health Professions. Hospitals associated with the Health Sciences Center include the University Hospital and the E. A. Conway Hospital in Monroe. The Health Sciences Center and the University Hospital have a student body of about 900 and a full-time faculty of more than 470. Shreveport is located in northwest Louisiana, where climate and geography combine to offer year-round recreational opportunities. The metropolitan area has a population of about 350,000. Shreveport is also a major center for health and medical services. Other college campuses in the area include LSU-Shreveport, Centenary College, Southern University, Bossier Parish Community College, and branches of several other universities. Other attractions for students who attend programs at LSUHSC include the R. W. Norton Art Gallery, the Shreveport Symphony, the Shreveport Opera Company, thoroughbred racing (Louisiana Downs), Sci-Port, the Multicultural Center of the South, the Southern University Museum of Art, and numerous theater, dance, and music groups.