Home / Advocacy & Resources / Resources / APS Graduate Physiology & Biomedical Science Catalog / University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)

Quick Program Facts

Degree Programs: doctoral, masters, certificates, joint-programs 

Application Deadlines: various, see program guide

Learn More About the Programs

PhD and MD/PhD

The Biomedical Sciences Program is an interdisciplinary research-oriented program that involves faculty from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Health Professions, and affiliate faculty from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Students receive crossdisciplinary training essential in today’s competitive research environment.

MS

The 11-month postbaccalaureate MS in pharmacology (34 credit hours) prepares students for admission into medical and dental schools. UTHSC also offers MS programs in:

Curriculum

PhD Curriculum

All students take a biostatistics course and a course titled “Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research.” Most first-year students take a core curriculum consisting of Essentials of Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Essentials of Molecular Biology.  Students may select electives from a variety of physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience topics. Students typically take the candidacy exam at the end of their second year or beginning of third year after all coursework has been completed.

Graduate Research

The Biomedical Sciences Program has seven tracks:

Tuition, Fees & Financial Support

UTHSC offers financial support for PhD students only, including:

  • a stipend (currently $28,000), 
  • full health insurance coverage, and
  • tuition waiver for six years of study; waivers may be extended beyond the sixth year and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Outstanding applicants who qualify for Alumni Endowment Scholarships receive up to $3,000 of additional funding annually. Students must remain in good academic standing to continue receiving the scholarship. Students awarded extramural funding receive an additional $2,500 for each award year.

More Details and Contact Information
  • Students may select a research advisor from any of the tracks and are not limited by departmental barriers found in traditional programs.
  • Time to degree completion is below the national average.
  • Exceptional and affordable living in a metropolitan setting.

Program contact information:

Program Coordinator: Evan D. Coburn (ecoburn3@uthsc.edu).