Biomedical Sciences

SOM Office of Research
MSC08 4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 272-1887

Introduction

The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BREP) offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the basic biomedical sciences and offers a joint M.D./Ph.D. degree program with the School of Medicine M.D. program. Applications to the joint M.D./Ph.D. program should be made through the M.D. degree application process. Contact the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Office for more information at http://hsc.unm.edu/som/research/brep/ or brep@salud.unm.edu. A certificate in university level science teaching may be obtained by completing 15 credit hours of specialized course work teaching, and an independent project.

Other graduate degrees offered through Biomedical Sciences are the Masters in Public Health, Masters in Occupational Therapy and Masters in Physical Therapy. See the respective entries in this catalog for admission information, course requirements and course descriptions. A new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with concentration in Clinical Research is currently offered.

December 1st is the preferred deadline for admission applications, although applications are accepted until March 1. Early application is strongly encouraged.

The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program is an integrated, interdepartmental program in the basic medical sciences leading to the Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. or M.S. degrees. The program provides students with a broad-based, one-year core curriculum followed by focused course work and thesis/dissertation research. Research is conducted in faculty laboratories in the various basic science departments in the School of Medicine. In addition to our School of Medicine faculty, the BREP is complemented by affiliated faculty in the UNM College of Pharmacy, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and Los Alamos National Laboratory who may direct graduate student research. To receive their degree, students fulfill the requirements of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program in one of the content areas:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Cell Biology and Physiology; Pathology; Molecular Genetics and Microbiology; Neurosciences; Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

NOTE: The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences has one formal concentration in Clinical Research.

The time frame for completion of the degree requirements is generally four to six years for the Ph.D. degree and two to three years for the M.S. degree.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to the program include:

B.S., B.A. or equivalent from an accredited U.S. institution or a recognized international institution.
The following courses are prerequisite to the first-year core courses:
Biological Science two semesters
General Chemistry two semesters
Organic Chemistry two semesters
Biochemistry one semester
Calculus one semester
Physics two semesters
Overall 3.00 GPA.
GRE score must total at least 1000 and 3.50 for analytical writing. GRE scores obtained before Fall 2002 must total 1500.
International applicants must submit their TOEFL scores (minimum score of 580 on paper-based or 237 on computer-based exam, or 92 on internet-based exam).

Admission is competitive and meeting the minimal requirements does not ensure entry into the program. However, all aspects of an application are considered (course work, GPA, exam scores, letters of recommendation, letter of intent and experience). Students who may not have met all of the minimum requirements but have otherwise demonstrated exceptional potential to succeed in graduate study may be considered for admission to this program.

Core Courses Required

The following core courses must be taken by both Ph.D. and M.S. students in the program:

BIOM 501	Fundamentals for Graduate Research	1
BIOM 506	Special Topics in Biomedical Research	2 (M.S.), 3 (Ph.D.)
BIOM 507	Advanced Molecular Biology	4
BIOM 508	Advanced Cell Biology	4
BIOM 525	Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Journal Club	4 (F,S)
BIOM 530	Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Seminar	1
	Choice of a minimum of 9 credit hours selected from an approved list of course offerings. At this catalog publication date, the list includes:
BIOM 509	Principles of Neurobiology	3
BIOM 510	Physiology	3
BIOM 514	Immunobiology	3
BIOM 515	Cancer Biology	3
BIOM 516	Molecular Genetics and Genomics	3
BIOM 522	Experimental Design and Methods in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences	3

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with Concentration in Clinical Research

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Clinical Research (MS-BIOMED-CR) provides learners who have earned a terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D.) with the didactic and experiential learning necessary to conduct extramurally-funded clinical and translational research. Its mission is to produce skilled clinical and translational researchers dedicated to sound scientific clinical research and scholarship, conducted in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner, who will develop and implement novel therapeutic interventions contributing to the transformation of human health and health care within the State of New Mexico.

The multidisciplinary, competency-based program uses adult learning principles as its foundations and incorporates 12 domains of study. The 12 domains include: Research Design, Measurement, Study Implementation and Project Management, Biostatistics, Current and Emerging Technologies, Patient Outcomes Research, Epidemiology, Conducting Research within Healthcare Systems, Biomedical Informatics, Cultural Competence, Grantsmanship, and Ethics and Regulatory Compliance. The concentration is developed to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to develop competency in these twelve domains.

Those accepted in the MS-BIOMED-CR will prepare an individual Inventory Assessment: Needs Analysis and Self-Identification to identify knowledge, skills and abilities attributable to their prior education, training, and experience. Together with the MS-BIOMED-CR Committee of Studies and their mentors, learners will develop an Individual Program of Studies that will prepare them to develop clinical and translational research skills sufficient to become independent investigators.

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students must pick up an application packet from the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BREP). The minimum requirements for admission include:

Applicant

Letter/Personal Statement (3-5 pages), must address: a) research and career trajectory; b) prior research activities), c) why this program is important component of training; d) how competencies will help prepare for desired research; e) career timeline after program completion; f) tenure and promotion plans and implications of enrollment in MS-BIOMED-CR.
3 references with names, phone numbers and email addresses.
CV.
Official copy of transcript for terminal degree (in lieu of GRE, MCAT, PCAT, TOEFL).
Attendance at a MS-CR Seminar.

Research Thesis Advisor

Letter of Commitment with very specific mentoring plan, including a) goals and objectives of advising relationship, b) expectations for frequency of contact and type of contact, c) advisor roles and expectations, d) student roles and expectations, e) feedback mechanisms, f) turnaround time for feedback, g) agreement to participate in: MS-CR Orientation (2 hrs.), Mentor Training and Evaluation, Biannual Student Portfolio Review and Independent Committee on Studies (thesis committee).
CV

Department Chair or Dean

Letter of support describing a) career trajectory, b) commitment to faculty position, c) release time, d) other support (e.g. research funds, book/supply fees, travel to scientific meetings, etc.), e) tuition support (if resident or fellow).

Admission is competitive and meeting the minimal requirements does not ensure entry into the program. However, all aspects of an application are considered (professional statement, letter of recommendation, letters from department chair and research thesis advisor). Learners who may not have met all the minimum requirements, but have otherwise demonstrated exceptional potential to succeed in graduate study may be considered for admission to this program.

Program Requirements

The MS-BIOMED-CR encompasses an individualized learning experience of 38 semester hours as follows:

Core requirements: 14 hours
Core requirements for the MS-BIOMED-CR substitute for those required for the general MS in Biomedical Sciences. One credit hour in each domain except for Biostatistics and Seminar (for which 2 credit hours are required.)

Electives: 18 hours
A second credit hour in any one of the domains is considered an elective. No single domain may accrue more than 6 hours (1 required hour and 5 elective hours). Two elective credits are required in no less than three domains, and 3 elective credits in at least two domains.

Thesis: 6 hours
Many higher level competencies are attained through practical research experience.

Certificate Program in University Science Teaching in Biomedical Sciences

The University Science Teaching in Biomedical Sciences Certificate Program is designed for trainees in the biomedical sciences to gain rigorous training in the educational pedagogy and practical experience in discipline specific teaching. This transcripted certificate program encompasses 15 credit hours of required and elective coursework and completion of a final portfolio designed to enhance competitiveness for careers that include teaching in the basic sciences. In addition to practical teaching experience, students gain exposure to, and hands-on experience with, multiple approaches to teaching through workshops, discussions, and project design, thereby developing creative, critical thinking, and communication skills that are also essential to successful research. The 15 credit hours required for the Certificate are included in (not in addition to) the 66 credits required for the Ph.D. degree.

Qualifications

Students must have successfully completed their first year of the BREP and passed the Qualifying Exam.

Curriculum

	Required Courses and Activities (11 credits)
BIOM 525	Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Journal Club	4
BIOM 540	University Teacher Training	2
BIOM 542	Teaching Assistant Practicum	2
BIOM 543	Independent Education Immersion for Teaching Scholars	3
	Elective Courses and Activities (4 credits)
BIOM 541	Teacher Training Workshops	1
	Workshops offered through the Teacher and Educational Development Office of the SOM can be bundled to provide the required 15 contact hours
BIOM 544	Human Anatomy	4
	Students successfully completing this course will be eligible for teaching assistantships in the Human Structure, Function, and Development Block of the Phase I medical curriculum.
BIOM 542	Teaching Assistant Practicum (provides additional teaching experience).	variable credits
BIOM 543	Independent Education Immersion for Teaching Scholars	up to 4 additional credits beyond the 3 required.
CJ 583	Teaching the Basic Course	1
EDPY 510	Principles of Classroom Learning	3
EDPY 572	Classroom Assessment	3
LEAD 529	The Adult Learner	3

Teaching Portfolio

Documentation of all activities leading to a Certificate will be assembled into a Teaching Portfolio, which will also include a statement of teaching philosophy.

Certificate Program in Clinical and Translational Science (CTS)

The certificate program in Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) is designed to meet the needs of a variety of learners who are seeking exposure to clinical and translational research competencies, but who are not interested in or are ready for a master's program. The CTS Certificate program, along with the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Research concentration (MS-BIOM-CR), is an educational component of the UNM HSC Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC). The CTSC is a Health Sciences Center initiative to integrate and expand the reach of biomedical research from the laboratory to clinical and medical practice: promoting a bench to bedside to community effort. Increasingly, pressing global health problems have led educators to accelerate the training of clinical, basic science, and translational researchers. Therefore, this program will provide students the basic tools necessary to translate scientific discovery into actionable solutions.

Qualifications

The CTS Certificate program is open to students seeking a graduate degree in a basic science, public health, medical, clinical, engineering or social science discipline (M.D., Ph.D, Pharm.D., Sc.D. and M.P.H.). Individuals who have already completed graduate training in these areas and are receiving additional training at UNM (i.e. post-doctoral and clinical fellows), or are currently employed at UNM as junior faculty, are eligible to participate. Admission standards include competitive standardized tests scores (i.e. MCAT, GRE) and strong academic records. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants who exhibit ability to effect multi-modal communication with fellow learners, colleagues, instructors and other members of the health care and research communities. Finally, the one-year program schedule is intensive, so regular attendance and in-class participation is required.

Curriculum

The entire program is based on the attainment of competencies. In the CTS Certificate program, with the exception of biostatistics (BIOM 559), the courses will address "level 1" competencies, or the basic language and understanding of the particular domain, in the 12 domains considered essential for clinical and translational research, which are:

BIOM 556 Research Design
BIOM 557 Measurement
BIOM 558 Study Implementation and Project Management
BIOM 559 Biostatistics
BIOM 560 Current and Emerging Technologies
BIOM 561 Patient Outcomes Research
BIOM 562 Epidemiology
BIOM 563 Conducting Research within Healthcare Systems
BIOM 564 Biomedical Informatics
BIOM 565 Cultural Competence
BIOM 566 Grantsmanship
BIOM 567 Ethics and Regulatory Compliance

For biostatistics, the learners will attain levels 1 and 2 competencies, which include specific data analysis skills. For degree-seeking students, the 14 credit hours required for the Certificate may be included in, or may be in addition to, the credit hours required for their graduate degrees, depending on the other requirements. Students should work with their advisors to determine the specific requirements for the Certificate and the primary degree toward which they are working.

Admission Requirements

The program begins in July each year, and the application deadline is early April. Prospective students can access application materials from the Biomedical Research Education program, or download the required forms from the BREP home page: http://hsc.unm.edu/som/research/brep/. Application materials include a Personal Statement, Letters of Recommendation, and additional supporting information. Prospective students can also contact the BREP office at 272-1887, or email brep@salud.unm.edu.

Ph.D. Program Fellowships

The BREP Director, with the advice of the Steering Committee, awards a number of stipends to highly qualified first-year students. The fellowship for 2008-2009 will be approximately $23,000 plus additional support for tuition/fees and health insurance. Early application (December 1st) insures consideration for this financial package worth over $30,000. After the first year, students are funded by their dissertation advisor, training grants or the advisor’s department.

General Program Information

The School of Medicine participates in programs which provide educational opportunities in biomedical research for students from under-represented minority groups, e.g. Initiatives for Minority Student Development (IMSD), Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Bridges to the Ph.D. The BREP is committed to training for a diverse scientific workforce.

Completion of 48 credit hours plus 18 dissertation hours is required for the Ph.D. degree and 24 credit hours plus 6 thesis hours is required for the M.S. degree. Due to the intense research nature of both degree programs, students often complete more than the minimum requirements for each degree prior to graduation.

More information concerning the M.S. and Ph.D. programs may be requested from the Biomedical Research Graduate Program, SOM Office of Research, MSC08 4560, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 or obtained from the BREP Web site at http://hsc.unm.edu/som/research/brep. E-mail inquiries are welcomed at brep@salud.unm.edu.

Joint M.D./Ph.D. Program

Introduction

The M.D./Ph.D. program is designed to provide comprehensive training in both clinical sciences and a basic biomedical science discipline. The intent of the program is to provide students with an integrated and cohesive training experience while obtaining the M.D./Ph.D. degree. Students participate in activities common to both programs while involved in the M.D. curriculum or engaged in Ph.D. dissertation research.

Currently, the program consists of 18 months of the medical school (M.D.) curriculum followed by 3-4 years of Ph.D. dissertation research and the graduate school curriculum. Students conclude with the remaining two years of the medical school curriculum. The joint M.D./Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in 7-8 years. The Ph.D. and M.D. degrees are awarded simultaneously at the end of the entire training period. Students will take two one-month long rotations in research laboratories during the initial 18 months of the program. These experiences are meant to broaden the research experience of the students as they decide in what research area they wish to specialize. Students can pursue many lines of research activity performed by investigators in biomedical research in the School of Medicine.

For more information visit the web site or contact us:

M.D./Ph.D. Program
SOM Office of Research
MSC08 4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/272-1887

Visit our Web site at http://hsc.unm.edu/som/research/brep/mdphdwelcome.shtm
E-mail inquiries are welcomed at brep@salud.unm.edu.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for the M.D./Ph.D. Program are identical to the M.D. degree requirements:

Overall GPA- 3.00
MCAT SCORE- 28

Research experience is highly desirable. The commitment of the 7-8 year program requires an understanding of what a research environment is like. Heavy emphasis is placed on whether or not a candidate has any research background.

Required Course Work

The only change from the M.D. curriculum takes place during the summer of the first academic year. In place of the Practical Immersion Experience (PIE) the M.D./Ph.D. students take laboratory research rotations during their Research Intensive Experience (RIE).

In addition the M.D. degree curriculum the M.D./Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses in the BREP:

BIOM 501	Fundamentals for Graduate Research	1
BIOM 506	Special Topics in Biomedical Research	3 credits total
BIOM 507	Advanced Molecular Biology	4
BIOM 508	Advanced Cell Biology	4
BIOM 525	Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Journal Club	2
BIOM 530	Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Seminar	1
BIOM 555	Problem Based Research Bioethics	2
	Credit is given for up to six credit hours for the SOM curriculum. In addition the M.D./Ph.D. students must take 3 credit hours from an approved list of course offerings including:
BIOM 509	Principles of Neurobiology	3
BIOM 510	Physiology	3
BIOM 514	Immunobiology	3
BIOM 515	Cancer Biology	3
BIOM 516	Molecular Genetics and Genomics	3

Other available courses offered for M.D./Ph.D. students through the BREP are listed under the BREP courses.

A total of 48 credits hours plus 18 dissertation hours and good standing throughout the SOM curriculum is required for the M.D./Ph.D. degree.

Financial Support

The M.D./Ph.D. students are provided with a scholarship or stipend either through the SOM or from the BREP mentor for the entire period of their M.D./Ph.D. program. The amount of this financial support will be approximately $23,000 plus tuition/ fees and health insurance.

General Program Information

The School of Medicine participates in programs that provide educational opportunities in biomedical research for students from under-represented minority groups, e.g. Initiatives for Minority Student Development (IMSD), Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Bridges to the Ph.D. The M.D/Ph.D. Program is committed to training for a diverse scientific workforce.