Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences

The four Ph.D.-granting programs in the biomedical sciences at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine share a first-year core curriculum. All entering doctoral students apply to the core program. Upon acceptance students begin a year of multidisciplinary coursework and four formal laboratory rotations that will lead to the selection of a graduate adviser and entry into one of the four distinct Ph.D. programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology and Pharmacology and Physiology.

First-year courses focus on the basic biochemical, molecular, cellular and organismal aspects of the biomedical sciences, preparing students for more intensive, individualized instruction that will be unique to the discipline they choose to study in the following years. Their acceptance rate is 15-20% and their faculty to student ratio is 3:1. Instructors come from all four Ph.D. programs. Their charge is to introduce the most recent findings and the methodologies used to study major issues in their fields. Coursework includes didactic lectures, small-group problem-solving sessions, student presentations, and hands-on research experience.

Active seminar programs in all departments and programs provide broad exposure to the wide scope of biomedical research and introduce students to potential future employers or collaborators. Emphasis is on the preparation of technically skilled and thoughtful scientists for diverse careers in academia, industry, or government.

Loans and Benefits

Five years of funding is guaranteed upon admission including stipend (currently $30,000/year), free tuition and paid health insurance, as long as the student maintains a 3.0/4.0 GPA and is accepted into one of the active research laboratories (and the department) after year one. The current graduation rate of all admitted students is 85-90% and most students complete their dissertation in less than 6 years.

PowerPoint Slide Show describing the Core Graduate Program

Additional Options

One additional option for entry into the departmental dissertation programs is direct entry bypassing the Core Program. Applicants with advanced degrees and significant research experience may be considered for this program, however they must initially be admitted into the Core Program before being considered for direct entry into year 2 of their studies.

The School of Medicine also supports an active M.D./Ph.D. program providing full funding and tuition remission to admitted students. Students in this program enter into their dissertation studies between years 2 and 3 of the medical curriculum. Information is available on the School of Medicine webpage.

Contact

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Lindsay Oliver, Graduate Program Coordinator

Caroline Building, Room 207-A

lindsay.oliver@health.slu.edu

314-977-8678