Students in the PhD in Translational Biomedical Sciences program progress from foundational coursework and laboratory rotations to candidacy, independent dissertation research and a public dissertation defense.
The sequence below represents the expected pathway; individual timelines may vary by research progress and program approval.
Stage
Term
Primary activities & Milestones
Year One: Pre-Candidacy
Fall
Core coursework & Laboratory Rotation I
Spring
Core coursework & Laboratory Rotation II
Summer
Coursework, Laboratory Rotation III or an elective, and preparation for dissertation research
Year Two: Pre-Candidacy
Fall
Coursework, elective study and Dissertation Research Laboratory I
Spring
Dissertation Research Laboratory II, coursework and qualifying examination
Summer
Dissertation Research Laboratory III, business training, dissertation proposal and oral defense, and application for candidacy
Year Three: Post-Candidacy
Fall & Spring
Dissertation Research Laboratories IV and V; scientific conference participation
Year Four: Post-Candidacy
Fall & Spring
Dissertation Research Laboratories VI and VII; dissertation preparation, committee review and public defense
Year Five (if needed)
Fall & Spring
Continued dissertation research and completion of dissertation requirements
Degree Requirements
Students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and complete all program milestones to earn the PhD in Translational Biomedical Sciences.
Academic and Research Requirements
Complete at least 98 units of required coursework, electives and dissertation research.
Maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and earn a grade of B or better in didactic courses.
Complete all required teaching or community outreach activities.
Select a dissertation research mentor and form a dissertation committee.
Meet regularly with the dissertation committee.
Complete the written and oral qualifying examinations within the required timeframe.
Develop a dissertation research proposal and obtain committee approval.
Complete the dissertation research and written dissertation.
Present and defend the dissertation in a public oral examination.
Professional Scholarship Requirements
Attend and present research at a minimum of two scientific conferences.
Submit at least one manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal before graduation.
