The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP) is an integrated, interdepartmental program in the basic medical sciences leading to the Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or dual Ph.D./Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees. The program provides students with a broad-based, one-year core curriculum followed by focused coursework 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 BSGP is complemented by affiliated faculty in the UNM College of Pharmacy, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and the Veterans Administration who may direct graduate student research.
To receive their degree, students fulfill the requirements of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program in one of the following content areas: biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology and physiology, molecular genetics and microbiology, neurosciences, pathology, or toxicology and pharmaceutical sciences.
The BSGP Director, upon the advice of the BSGP Steering Committee, awards first-year stipends to the highly qualified students who are admitted to the BSGP Ph.D. program and who remain in good standing by BSGP and UNM Office of Graduate Studies standards. As of Summer 2022, the stipend is $26,500, plus tuition remission and payment of student health insurance premiums. Students are responsible for the payment of certain student fees. International students are also responsible for a one-time UNM Global Education Office fee.
Early application submission* ensures the best consideration for this financial package worth over $30,000, although the financial support package is offered to all first-year Ph.D. students. The funding for Ph.D. students is provided through the end of the first academic year (May 31) by the BSGP.
During the first year, students identify a research mentor who assumes the financial responsibility starting June 1, and provides the resources necessary for students to conduct their dissertation research. Students are funded by their research mentor (advisor), and/or training grants, and/or the research mentor’s department.
Students are responsible for identifying a research mentor prior to the end of the first academic year in order to continue to progress in the program. The BSGP is an intensive research-based Ph.D. program. Therefore, students who fail to identify a research mentor and secure funding beyond the first academic year of the program are unable to continue in the BSGP. The program provides guidance and a variety of opportunities during the first academic year of the program for students to successfully identify research mentors. However, the task of finding a long-term fit within a research lab is the personal responsibility of each individual student.
The School of Medicine participates in programs that provide educational opportunities in biomedical research for students from underrepresented minority groups, e.g. Initiatives for Minority Student Development (IMSD), Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), and Bridges to the Ph.D. The BSGP is committed to training for a diverse scientific workforce.
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 Sciences Graduate Program, SOM Office of Research, MSC08 4560, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 or obtained from the SOMREO website. E-mail inquiries are welcomed at SOMREO@salud.unm.edu.
Courses
BIOM *410.
Research in Medical Sciences.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Laboratory research in the medical sciences for undergraduate students.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Offered upon demand}
BIOM 501.
Fundamentals for Graduate Research.
(1)
This course provides first year students with information for making an educated choice of a dissertation research advisor, of various teaching and research resources and facilities, and teaching and communication skills.
{Fall}
BIOM 505.
Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences.
(1-6 to a maximum of 48 Δ)
This course provides a format to teach current information in a variety of rapidly advancing areas of biomedical research which are not now provided by existing courses. Subject area varies depending on the need for education in a particular area and the faculty member involved.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Offered upon demand}
BIOM 506.
Special Topics in Biomedical Research.
(1-2 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
In this course, first year graduate students will participate in research with potential thesis or dissertation mentors and gain first-hand experience in a variety of techniques and approaches to biological problems.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
BIOM 507.
Advanced Molecular Biology.
(4)
The course covers the structures and functions of nucleic acids and proteins, mechanisms and macromolecular synthesis and principles of enzymology.
Prerequisite: organic chemistry, one semester of cell biology or biochemistry.
{Fall}
BIOM 508.
Advanced Cell Biology.
(4)
Course covers advanced topics in cell biology, including microscopy, the nucleus, protein and membrane trafficking, cytoskeleton signal transduction, cell cycle and division and extracellular matrix.
Prerequisite: 507.
{Fall}
BIOM 509.
Principles of Neurobiology.
(3)
This course covers cellular structure of neurons and glia, the electrical properties of neurons, intercellular communication, and the formation, maintenance and plasticity of chemical synapses.
BIOM 510.
Physiology.
(3)
Course designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the basic physiological systems of the body. Topics covered are cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and endocrine physiology.
Prerequisite: 508.
{Spring}
BIOM 514.
Immunobiology.
(3)
This is a comprehensive, fundamentals-based immunology course for graduate students in the biomedical sciences or related fields. The course will have a problem-based component that will introduce students to experimental design in immunological research.
{Spring}
BIOM 515.
Cancer Biology.
(3)
Fundamental elements of cancer development and progression will be the focus of this course. Basic biochemical and genetic mechanisms of tumorigenesis, including genomic instability, principles of tumor cell invasion and growth dysregulation will be emphasized.
BIOM 522.
Experimental Design and Methods in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences.
(3)
This case-based course is intended for first year graduate students and focuses on practical issues of how to design, plan and conduct scientific studies through appropriate use of experimental methods and data analysis.
BIOM 525.
Journal Club: Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease.
(2, may be repeated once Δ)
Course offers new graduate students experience in oral presentation skills, experience in reading and discussing scientific literature and exposure to research seminars. Student led discussions partner with weekly Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Seminar.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 527.
Journal Club: Translational Science.
(1, no limit Δ)
Course offers new graduate students experience in oral presentation skills, experience in reading and discussing scientific literature and exposure to research seminars.
Restriction: admitted to Doctor of Medicine or Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences, permission of department
BIOM 530.
Seminar: Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease.
(1, may be repeated four times Δ)
The Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease Seminar is a cross-cutting, interdepartmental seminar series offered for graduate credit. Weekly seminars are presented by preeminent scientists on a wide variety of broadly relevant research topics.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 531.
Neurophysiology.
(1, may be repeated once Δ)
The course will cover the fundamental properties of ion channels in excitable membrane, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. In addition, the course will discuss the organization and principles of auditory, visual and chemical senses.
Prerequisite: 509.
BIOM 532.
Neurochemistry.
(1)
The course emphasis is on basic neurochemical mechanisms that underlie functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), both normal functioning and in disease states, focusing on major concepts, techniques and recent advances in neurochemistry.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Fall, even years}
BIOM 534.
Neuropharmacology.
(1)
The course will focus on fundamental principles of pharmacology, emphasizing molecular and cellular actions of drugs on synaptic transmission and techniques used in the study of neuropharmacology.
Prerequisite: 509.
BIOM 535.
Seminar: Neuroscience.
(1, may be repeated nine times Δ)
Weekly presentation of current topics in clinical neuroscience and in neuroscience basic research.
BIOM 536.
Journal Club: Neuroscience.
(1, may be repeated five times Δ)
Course offers new graduate students experience in oral presentation skills, experience in reading and discussing scientific literature and exposure to research seminars.
Restriction: permission of department.
BIOM 537.
Advanced Topics in Neuroscience.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Study Projects in the literature of Neuroscience.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 538.
Neurobiology of Alcoholism.
(1)
The course focuses on the actions of alcohol on neurotransmitter systems.
Prerequisite: 509.
BIOM 539.
Molecular Neurobiology.
(1)
The course focuses on the mechanisms controlling gene expression during the development and maturation of neuronal circuits. Topics covered include genetic and epigenetic regulation of neuronal function as well as the role of non-coding RNA.
Prerequisite: 509.
BIOM 540.
University Teacher Training.
(2)
An introduction to the principles of how people learn and methods of teaching and assessment. Special workshops provide hands-on experience with effective lecture preparation and tutorial group facilitation for problem-based learning.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 541.
Teacher Training Workshops.
(1-2, may be repeated twice Δ)
Workshops emphasizes skill development in education theory and curriculum development or student assessment and feedback through didactic lectures and hands-on experience. Workshops are led by School of Medicine Teacher Education and Development (TED) Office and the Teaching Assistant Resource Center (TARC) faculty.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 542.
Teaching Assistant Practicum.
(1-4, may be repeated three times Δ)
BSGP students enrolled in this course earn course credit for serving as teaching assistants. The number of credits is determined by the number of contact hours. Arrangements are made on an individual basis.
Prerequisite: 540 or 541.
BIOM 543.
Independent Education Immersion for Teaching Scholars.
(1-4, may be repeated once Δ)
Emphasizes skill development as an independent instructor. Requires development or implementation of independent teaching or educational project. Scholars are evaluated on teaching materials, oral and written communication skills, and project design and tool development. Arrangements for service as course instructor are made on an individual basis.
Prerequisite: 542.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 546.
Advanced Topics in Pathology.
(1-3)
A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
BIOM 548.
Seminar: Biochemistry Molecular and Cellular Biology.
(1, may be repeated nine times Δ)
Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 555.
Problem-Based Research Bioethics.
(1, may be repeated twice Δ)
This is a problem-based discussion course on topics in bioethics such as publication credits and authorships; conflict of interest and fraud, scientific misconduct, human genomics and other relevant issues.
{Fall}
BIOM 556.
Research Design for Clinical and Translational Research.
(1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course will introduce the variety of study designs that are used to conduct clinical and translational research, including qualitative, observational, experimental, quasi experimental, non-experimental and mixed methods designs.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 557.
Measurement in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
This course will cover qualitative and quantitative instrument design, construction, theory, and implementation; qualitative data analysis and interpretation; assessment of measurement reliability, validity, accuracy, precision, specificity and sensitivity.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 559.
Biostatistics in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 11 Δ)
Overview of the basic principles and methods of biostatistics designed specifically for clinical and translational research scientists. Computer software is used to analyze clinical and translational data sets.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 562.
Epidemiology in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Course introduces the student to Epidemiology, the study of causes, distribution and control of disease in populations. A methodology to identify risk factors for disease and to determine optimal treatment approaches.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 564.
Biomedical Informatics in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course covers information technology tools and biomedical informatics strategies to optimize collection, storage, retrieval, and intra-/inter-institutional sharing of quantitative and qualitative data in support of clinical and translational research.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 565.
Cultural Competence in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course covers the impact of culture including values, tradition, history and institutions, sources of health care disparities, how culture influences in the way patients respond to medical services, prevention and physician delivery of services.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 566.
Grantsmanship in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Grant preparation fundamentals focused on writing and submitting a competitive research or fellowship application that meets prevailing guidelines, addresses an important hypothesis-driven research question and is responsive to critical feedback and review.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 567.
Biomedical Ethics and Regulatory Compliance in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
History and development of biomedical ethics in theory and practice within health care, tenets of autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance and justice as they pertain to human clinical research and the development of health care public policy.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 568.
Seminar in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ (1 to a maximum of 3 Δ))
Includes integration and synthesis of concepts integral to clinical and translational research, providing problem-based and cross-cutting case studies for analysis/discussion, networking opportunities and a platform to demonstrate competencies.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 569.
FDA Drug and Device Development in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course provides researchers with information to prepare them to conduct clinical investigations of drugs and devices, and establish personal research equipoise.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 570.
Scientific Writing in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Theoretical and practical studies of writing for the translational sciences. Addresses writing for both popular and professional audiences.
Restriction: permission of course director.
BIOM 572.
Advanced Epidemiology in Clinical and Translational Research.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Epidemiologic principles essential to clinical research: Study design, measures of disease occurrence and association, selection bias and confounding, reproducibility and validity, measurement bias, interaction, causal inference.
BIOM 581.
Colloidal Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications.
(3)
(Also offered as BME, ECE, NSMS 581)
Intended for students planning careers combining engineering, materials science, and biomedical sciences. Covers synthesis, nanocrystals characterization, biofunctionalization, biomedical nanosensors, FRET-based nanosensing, molecular-level sensing/imaging, and applications in cell biology, cancer diagnostics and therapy, neuroscience, and drug delivery.
BIOM 583.
Seminar: Pathology.
(1, may be repeated five times Δ)
Weekly presentations of current topics in pathology.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
BIOM 590.
Topics in Biochemistry.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 594.
Topics in Environmental Disease.
(1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Advanced readings in topics relating to toxicology and environmental disease, including areas such as chemical teratogenesis, reactive oxygen species, respiratory toxicology, receptor-medicated toxicology and environmentally induced cancer.
Prerequisite: PHRM 580.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
BIOM 605.
Membrane Trafficking Seminar.
(1, may be repeated three times Δ)
A weekly journal club style course for advanced graduate students to participate in journal club presentations and discussion of current literature in the field of intracellular membrane trafficking.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 615.
Seminar: Signal Transduction and Cell Adhesion.
(1, no limit Δ)
Weekly presentation of current topics in signal transduction and cell adhesion research.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 620.
Seminar: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.
(1, may be repeated five times Δ)
Weekly presentations of current topics in Immunology and Microbiology.
{Fall, Spring}
BIOM 625.
Advanced Topics in Immunology and Microbiology.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
May be taken three times to a maximum of 9 credit hours.
Prerequisite: biochemistry, general microbiology or equivalent.
{Offered upon demand}
BIOM 642.
Advanced Topics in Cell Biology.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
An advanced graduate-level course in which current information in a variety of rapidly advancing areas of cell biology research is taught. This course is usually taught in seminar format. Subject area varies depending on the need for education in a particular area and the faculty member involved.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
BIOM 646.
Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
An advanced graduate-level course in which current information in a variety of rapidly advancing areas of molecular biology research is taught. This course is usually taught in seminar format. Subject area varies depending on the need for education in a particular area and the faculty member involved.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
BIOM 652.
Immunopathogenesis of Infectious Diseases.
(2)
This course will cover basic models of immunopathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms using well-characterized infectious disease models. Topics will include host mechanisms of microbial clearance, immune-mediated inflammation and pathological effects of pathogens and microbial mechanisms of avoiding host attacks.
BIOM 657.
Advanced Topics in Cellular and Systems Physiology.
(1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
This is an advanced graduate level course covering current, rapidly changing topics in physiology. Taught in a combination lecture/seminar format, the subject area varies depending on the expertise of the faculty member(s) involved.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
BIOM 659.
Seminar: Cardiovascular Biology.
(1, may be repeated nine times Δ)
Weekly presentations of current topics in regulatory and systems biology.
BIOM 695.
Research in Basic Medical Sciences.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
A faculty-supervised course culminating in a comprehensive paper or research proposal that integrates knowledge attained through coursework, research, and experience.
BIOM 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
MPHY 505.
Selected Topics in Medical Physics.
(1-5 to a maximum of 10 Δ)
The course provides a format to teach current information in medical physics which are not now provided by existing courses. Subject area varies depending upon for education in a particular area and the faculty member involved.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
MPHY 516.
Fundamentals of Medical Imaging.
(3)
Course provides review of x-ray interactions, x-ray production, film-screen and film processing, mammography, fluoroscopy, image quality, digital radiography, physics of computed tomography, PACS and digital systems, and diagnostic radiation shielding.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Fall}
MPHY 517L.
Medical Imaging Laboratory I X-ray Physics.
(1)
Perform QC on a diagnostic x-ray system, a fluoroscopy system, CR system, DR system, CT scanner, mammography system. Evaluate radiation shielding in a diagnostic x-ray room. Perform a digital monitor evaluation and evaluate a film processor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
MPHY 518.
Advanced Medical Imaging.
(3)
MR basic physics, MR imaging equipment, and ultrasound imaging physics. Nuclear medicine imaging physics including: radioactive decay, isotope production, detector systems, Na I gamma camera imaging systems, PET/SPECT cameras systems, regulations and patient dose calculations.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
MPHY 519L.
Medical Imaging Laboratory II MR Ultrasound and Nuclear Imaging Physics.
(1)
Perform MRI ACR QC tests and Ultrasound ACR QA tests. Perform QC tests on dose calibrator, gamma camera, PET camera, SPECT camera. Perform a leak test on a sealed radioactive material source. Visit a PET cyclotron.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
MPHY 527.
Radiation Biology for Engineers and Scientists.
(3)
(Also offered as NE 527)
Covering fundamentals of the biological effects of ionizing radiation on living systems, especially man; basic biological mechanisms which bring about somatic and genetic effects; and the effect of ionizing radiation on cell cultures.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
MPHY 540.
Radiation Oncology Physics.
(3)
Operation of linear accelerators, measurement of x-ray beams, dose distribution and scatter analysis, and clinical dose calculations. Discussion of IMRT, total body irradiation, and SRS. Brachytherapy planning including HDR, LDR and intravascular.
Corequisite: 541L.
MPHY 541L.
Radiation Oncology Physics Lab.
(3)
Complete clinical treatment plans, participate in annual calibration of linear accelerator, acquire photon and electron dose data for treatment, perform brachytherapy treatment plans including HDR and LDR plans, and perform an IMRT QA validation.
Corequisite: 540.
MPHY 591.
Practicum.
(3 or 6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as NE 591)
Professional practice experience in radiation protection and environmental measurements in non-traditional settings under the guidance of health physicists and radiation protection engineers. Internship arrangement with a local facility employing health physicists or related personnel such as a national laboratory, analytical facility, or hospital.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
