Biomedical Sciences

The PhD programs in the Biomedical Sciences allows for the development of research and critical thinking skills as well as preparation in career development to propel students into a myriad of careers in research, teaching, industry, government, and other positions that require specialized training at the graduate level.

The eight PhD degree-granting programs are:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
• Cancer Cell Biology
• Cellular and Integrative Physiology
• Clinical and Translational Science
• Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
• Neuroscience
• Pathophysiology, Rehabilitation and Performance
• Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences

Graduate education in the Biomedical Sciences at West Virginia University offers you the unique opportunity to explore multiple disciplines and areas of research in the biomedical sciences but to also fast track into a dissertation laboratory and a graduate program within one semester.

The PhD programs in the Biomedical Sciences share a common admissions process. Once admitted, students enter in the undifferentiated Biomedical Sciences program and pursue a common core curriculum in the first semester. You will rotate through 3 laboratories during the fall semester to select a dissertation advisor. While many of these programs are closely aligned with Basic Science departments, faculty across departments can be members of multiple graduate programs. The Prospective Students link provides information on application, interviewing, the financial package, and core curriculum.

The Biomedical Sciences at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center have a long history of excellence in graduate education. Our goal is to give students a strong start and then provide them the resources to achieve their own goals.

• All students have a faculty advisor until they choose their dissertation mentor, so that a system of mentorship is always in place.
• Graduate school begins with a week-long orientation that helps students develop as a team, meet a variety of potential faculty mentors, and develop key skills for success in the first semester curriculum.
• All students use the Individual Development Plan (IDP) to develop and monitor their acquisition of key transferable skills for success.  The student and advisor revisit the IDP annually.
• Our laboratories are small for personal, one-on-one training.
• Excellence in mentoring is stressed with all faculty and programs to enhance their skills and improve the advisor/student relationship.
• We support strong core facilities to allow all students access to state-of-the art equipment and expert advice to conduct their experiments and learn new techniques.
• Students in good academic standing are supported in their dissertation laboratory for the duration of their time in graduate school.
• Students take a scientific writing course and are educated in writing grant applications.
• Students are provided multiple opportunities to present their research.
• All students graduate with at least one first author publication. 
• All students complete an Experiential Learning course to provide guidance in discerning a career and to better inform their research questions. 

Admissions

Applications open on September 1, 2023. Completed applications are due December 1, 2023. Applications are only accepted for admission for the Fall semester.

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