PhD in Biomedical Sciences

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field  No restrictions. However, applicants must have a satisfactory record of courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, and at least one year of physics and of mathematics.
  • Grade Point Average At least 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of greater than 3.00/4.00.
  • Tests Required None.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score (test scores cannot be more than two years old)
    • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required.
  • Personal Statement Required. Personal statement must include a description of past research experience and motivation for obtaining a doctorate degree in Biomedical Sciences.
  • Other Requirements Preference is given to applicants with a documented record of research accomplishments.

Degree Requirements

In additional to Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements: 

MS in Biomedical Sciences

There will be no direct admission to the MS. Doctoral students who fail to progress beyond year 2 (including failing the preliminary exam) or who choose to discontinue research upon passing the preliminary exam will be allowed to petition for the MS.

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 36-38
  • Coursework
Required Courses
Research Methods I (2 hours)
Research Methods II (2 hours)
GEMS Research Rotation (8 hours in total)
Foundations of Biomedical Sciences I (6 hours)
Foundations of Biomedical Sciences II (6 hours)
Concentration Core
Select one of the following sets of courses (5-7 hours):
Cancer Biology
Foundations of Cancer Biology
Pathobiology of Cancer
Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Graduate Pharmacology
Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling
Integrative and Translational Physiology
Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Metabolism: An Integrated Multi-Organ Crosstalk (with approval from DGS)
Therapeutic Development – Clinical Trials (with approval from DGS)
Cell Physiology
Microbiology, Immunity and Inflammation
Molecular Aspects of Microbiology
Select one of the following:
Molecular Biology of Viruses
Advanced Immunology
and Microbial Pathogenesis
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Neurobiology
Foundations of Neuroscience I
Foundations of Neuroscience II
Elective Courses
Students will be required to complete a minimum of 3 hours of graduate-level coursework. They may choose one of the courses offered by any concentration (except the ones they are affiliated with) to fulfill this requirement.
  • Comprehensive Examination: None 
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only. MS students are not required to produce a thesis from their mentored research or research rotation. Although mentored research is not required, it is expected that most MS students will participate in mentored research.
  • Other Requirements: Seminar Series (4 hours in total). Students may register for any one of the following courses: GEMS 595, PATH 595, PCOL 595, PHYB 595, MIM 595, BCMG 595, or ANAT 595.

PhD in Biomedical Sciences 

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required: 96 from the baccalaureate
  • Coursework:
Required Courses
Research Methods I (2 hours)
Research Methods II (2 hours)
GEMS Research Rotation (8 hours in total)
Foundations of Biomedical Sciences I (6 hours)
Foundations of Biomedical Sciences II (6 hours)
Concentration Core
Select one of the following sets of courses (5-7 hours):
Cancer Biology
Foundations of Cancer Biology
Pathobiology of Cancer
Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Graduate Pharmacology
Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling
Integrative and Translational Physiology
Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Metabolism: An Integrated Multi-Organ Crosstalk (with approval from DGS)
Therapeutic Development – Clinical Trials (with approval from DGS)
Cell Physiology
Microbiology, Immunity and Inflammation
Molecular Aspects of Microbiology
Select one of the following:
Molecular Biology of Viruses
Advanced Immunology
and Microbial Pathogenesis
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Neurobiology
Foundations of Neuroscience I
Foundations of Neuroscience II
Elective Courses
Students will be required to complete a minimum of 3 hours of graduate-level coursework. They may choose one of the courses offered by any concentration (except the ones they are affiliated with) to fulfill this requirement.
  • Preliminary Examination: Required. During the second year of graduate study, students must pass a preliminary examination in a format specified by the GEMS Program. This exam has three components. First, students will prepare a preproposal (a three-page description of research project), followed by submission of a research proposal (following the NIH F31 proposal guidelines), and an oral defense of the proposal. The written proposal will be reviewed by a preliminary exam committee consisting of five GEMS faculty. Students will be required to present and defend the proposal during oral examination.
  • Dissertation: Required. Students must earn at least 52 hours in one of the following research courses: ANAT 599, BCMG 599, GEMS 599, MIM 599 PATH 599, PCOL 599, or  PHYB 599.

  • Other Requirements: Seminar Series (6 hours in total). Students may register for any one of the following courses: GEMS 595, ANAT 595BCMG 595MIM 595PATH 595PCOL 595, or PHYB 595.

  • Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): Students with an MD earned in the United States or who are working toward one at UIC may use medical science courses to fulfill the Year 1 coursework requirements (GEMS 504GEMS 505GEMS 506GEMS 521, and GEMS 522).  MSTP students will complete all other degree requirements: the concentration core, seminar series, electives, preliminary examination, and dissertation.