PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences

Tomorrow’s Healthcare Discoveries Start Here

Behind every drug therapy, every diagnostic procedure and every technology used in a healthcare setting, there’s a biomedical researcher striving for the always-evolving “better.”

In academic and industry labs, they study the human body down to the cellular level, genetic makeup and responses and translate these findings into new devices, treatments and public health initiatives. Oftentimes, their insights shed light on the progression of disease and contribute to more effective treatments, including for cancer, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases.

The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine recognizes the role research plays in improving patient outcomes locally and beyond. The recently launched PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences program graduates independent scientists prepared to lead these discoveries in academic research universities and biotechnology and biomedical industries.

Through multidisciplinary coursework plus early research involvement, students learn to design and successfully execute state-of-the-art biomedical research studies that address a major scientific question and result in an original, significant contribution to the field.

Why Earn a PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences From UT Tyler?

Treating infectious diseases is integral to our legacy. In 1947, a tuberculosis hospital was established on the former grounds of Camp Fannin, a World War II U.S. Army Infantry Base, before The University of Texas System acquired the property in 1977. Today, the School of Medicine and UT Tyler’s research centers extend this mission, exploring new treatments for lung injuries and diseases, as well as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other health conditions.

The PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences explores the factors influencing human health through the lens of cellular and molecular pathophysiology. While students develop expertise in one of three specialties, this focus examines how symptoms emerge and progress at cellular, molecular and genetic levels, ultimately resulting in a deep dive into all health conditions and the body’s ability to repair itself.

From the first year of coursework through your dissertation defense:

• You develop respected research expertise. You’ll hone your skills in experimental design and analysis in the biomedical sciences, benefitting from the activity and resources of an R2 institution and a high number of faculty to students. In the process, you learn to grow an idea into a testable, replicable study with published results.
• You’re immersed in a culture of innovation, guided by respected research faculty who present numerous national and international research conferences each year. Because we accept only a handful of candidates, everyone gets to know you, and through rotations with different faculty, you’ll find an advisor who will mentor you and help you find and pursue your research passion. Additionally, assisting with studies and other projects in our labs provides a hands-on perspective of the research process before you structure your own.
• You begin to understand the true impact of your research, as well as how to discuss relevant literature, present your findings and integrate multidisciplinary research teams.
• Your pursuits are our pursuits. There’s always more to discover and more communities to serve. The findings of our Center for Biomedical Research, Center for Clinical Research and the Texas Lung Injury Institute fuel the outreach efforts of the Heartland National TB Center and similar initiatives.

What You’ll Study

The PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences requires 97 total credit hours broken down as follows: 12 credits of core didactic courses, nine credit hours of required electives for your specialty, six credit hours of free electives, eight credit hours of lab rotations, eight credit hours of seminars and 60 credit hours of pre-candidacy and dissertation research.

Along with courses and research, the program involves:

• A qualifying examination: This two-part exam confirms your candidacy. The first portion tests your knowledge of concepts and principles from your coursework. For the second, you’ll submit a written research proposal in NIH R21 grant format to the qualifying exam committee and orally present and propose an idea or scientific question rooted in existing literature and your preliminary data that serves as the basis for your dissertation.
• Dissertation: Your question becomes a hypothesis for which you’ll gather data, assess and prove. Along with a defense scheduled no earlier than your fourth year, graduating from the program requires the peer-reviewed publication(s) of your results in which you are the primary author. 

Each candidate selects a specialty from one of three areas:

• Immunology and Infectious Diseases: Observe and harness the immune system’s response, basing new treatments and preventative therapies on its ability to fight disease.
• Cellular and Molecular Biology: Understand how the human body functions — including a cellular-based perspective of organs and biological processes, plus the role molecular factors like DNA, RNA and proteins play.
• Pulmonary Physiology: Study an action we all take for granted — the ability to bring air into our lungs. This view explores all related systems and processes for a more complex understanding of the thoracic cavity, lung diseases and drug treatments’ effects on the respiratory system.

Through this approach, PhD candidates learn to:

• Appraise and identify gaps in knowledge in their respective fields of study.
• Develop new and significant hypotheses.
• Investigate the literature concerning these hypotheses.
• Pursue new knowledge through the utilization of multiple informational resources to gather and summarize information and data.
• Design studies/experiments to test specific hypotheses.
• Critically apply scientific theories and methods of experimental design and interpretation of data.
• Demonstrate advanced computer literacy and mastery of preparing and presenting scientific data in tabular or figure form.
• Demonstrate high ethical and moral scientific character.
• Interact productively with people from various backgrounds with skills to communicate science in the global scientific language (English) effectively, in both oral and written forms.

Full Program Curriculum

Careers

Where and how will you power scientific innovation? PhD candidates can embark on two general paths:

• Academic research: If you aspire to teach and pursue discoveries from inside an academic research institution, you’ll apply for a post-doctoral fellowship — either at UT Tyler or another college or university. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an 8% greater demand for professors through 2033.
• Industry research: Novel results mean more effective medications, diagnostic procedures or surgical techniques. Should you choose this direction, your PhD can lead to a position in a biotechnology, biomedical or clinical research laboratory or government or regulatory agency. Outside of direct research, your knowledge may be beneficial for marketing campaigns or patent law. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11% more positions for medical scientists through 2033.

How to Apply

Admission Requirements

Students will be admitted once a year on a full-time basis, with coursework beginning in the fall semester. In addition to the general requirements for admission to doctoral study at The University of Texas at Tyler, the following must be met for consideration of admission into the program:

1. A baccalaureate degree in a related field from a college or university recognized by a national accrediting body.
2. Official transcripts reflecting a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on previous academic coursework and a B (or higher) in Biochemistry.
3. Submission of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the past five years. To be competitive, applicants should have an overall GRE of > 300, with scores above 150 for the quantitative section.
4. A personal statement (in essay format) addressing each of the following within the narrative:
   1. Describe any undergraduate summer, clinical, industrial research and/or any teaching experiences, indicating how these experiences sparked your passion for research.
   2. How will obtaining a graduate degree in biomedical sciences help you achieve your long-term career goals? Specifically, link your professional goals and interests to concepts emphasized in this program.
   3. Describe what you are passionate about and how this has led to an interest in our graduate program.
   4. Identify up to three of our faculty members whose research you are particularly interested in, and briefly tell us why they interest you.
5. Three academic and/or professional letters of reference from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s motivation and ability to be successful in doctoral study in biomedical research. Letters should be from individuals who have information regarding the academic, research and personal accomplishments of the applicant that are predictive of success in graduate school. The most valuable letters of recommendation are from individuals who can provide insights that expand upon and enhance information found in official academic documents.
6. A current résumé or curriculum vitae.

Financial Assistance

All accepted students are awarded an assistantship of $32,000 per year, including health benefits. Tuition is also covered by a sponsor.

The program sponsors the student’s tuition and assistantship for the first year. From there, the research advisor the student joins at the end of the first year sponsors their studies.