Augusta University

The first-year core curriculum integrates basic science principles and cultivates critical thinking skills. Courses include biochemistry, cell biology, scientific communication, integrated systems biology and biomedical statistics. Students begin to focus their studies with electives in the spring semester of the first year, including:

• experimental therapeutics,
• neuroscience,
• genomic medicine,
• oncology,
• immunology, and/or
• protein biology.

After completing five laboratory rotations, students choose a research mentor and enter one of nine biomedical science majors.

Upper level elective courses, journal clubs and seminar series are further designed to provide degree-specific training. Students must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam, research proposal and thesis dissertation. The average time to degree is five years.

Our students are engaged in cutting-edge basic science and translational biomedical research across a variety of disciplines. Our state-of-the-art research facilities are equipped to address the complex research questions and health issues that underlie the leading causes of disability and mortality in the U. S. and beyond. The research infrastructure is further supported by numerous core laboratories including:

• Electron Microscopy and Imaging Core,
• Genomics,
• Proteomics and Metabolomics Core,
• Flow Cytometry Core,
• Small Animal Imaging, and
• Behavior Cores.

Students have access to all research cores to support and advance their research progress. The interdisciplinary and collaborative environment at AU promotes student engagement, satisfaction and success.

Eligible biomedical science PhD students receive a competitive stipend and health insurance during their time in the program. Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) provide an annual stipend of $29,000, a reduced tuition rate of $25 per semester and single person student health insurance coverage. There is no formal application process for the GRA. Students who are awarded with individual external fellowships receive a $5,000 supplemental stipend plus $1,000 in travel support.

Augusta University is a dynamic, comprehensive research university offering more than 150 areas of study, across 10 colleges through undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University was founded in 1828, and is defined by the Board of Regents as Georgia’s health/sciences/medical college. We are a public research university and a public academic hospital with our main campus located in Augusta, Georgia. The Augusta area has a lot to offer, from outdoor walking trails and the Augusta Canal to its vibrant downtown area. It’s situated two hours from Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia and one hour from Columbia, South Carolina.