Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.)

Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.) | Graduate

The healthcare field is expected to grow 16 percent between 2020 and 2030, much faster than other industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trained in the latest technologies, our Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. graduates are well-positioned to contribute to advancements in healthcare and biomedical sciences.

The interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) program at Howard's Graduate School welcomes applicants with backgrounds in the biomedical and biological sciences, neuroscience, chemistry, biochemistry, health sciences, or biochemical engineering and computational sciences, environmental health sciences, and other related fields. The Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program is designed to train the next generation of Ph.D. scientists who want cross-disciplinary training in biomedicine and who will apply their research expertise to unravel the basis of diseases and to contribute to the development of preventative and interventive therapies. This approach includes understanding not only pathogenic manifestations of disease but also the normal anatomical and physiological state. The program aims to train independent research scientists to bridge the wide gulfs that currently exist between basic science research and clinical medicine. Graduates with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science are well positioned to contribute to advancements in the health sciences field, pursuing faculty positions at research universities and careers in industry or across a wide range of biomedical fields. 

As a student in our Ph.D. program, you can tailor your program of study to your individual research interests. In year 1, all students participate in the “Core Track” which provides a common set of foundational courses for students to gain a general understanding of biomedical science research.  Students participate in a minimum of two lab research rotations, which facilitates the selection of a potential mentor. In year 2, students will choose from one of five areas of research specialization: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Physiology.  Each of these Research Tracks have specific course requirements. Biomedical sciences faculty have robust research programs in such areas as cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, developmental biology, genomics, infectious disease, molecular biology, and virology. As a student in the IBMS graduate program, you will enjoy a highly collegial atmosphere and numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty on grant-funded lab research and participate in journal labs. Students may pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: Ph.D.
      ❱  Dual degree: M.D./Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
       ❱  No spring entry

Fall 2025 entry: 
       ❱  May 15, 2025 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• No

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Prerequisite Courses (Recommended)

The following course prerequisites are recommended, not required. No expiration date for recommended prerequisites.

• Biology (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• General Chemistry (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Organic Chemistry (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Physics (college-level courses, 8 semester credit hrs)
• Other recommended college-level courses include Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Humanities, Behavioral Sciences, Anatomy, and Math/Statistics courses. 

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker
• Clergy

M.D./Ph.D. Admission 

For admission to the M.D./Ph.D. program, students first apply to Howard’s medical school through AMCAS. In AMCAS, indicate your interest in the MD/PhD program. You are encouraged also to apply to the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program. If accepted into the M.D. program, your file will be sent to the graduate program for review. Previous research experience is required to apply for the dual degree program. If you are then accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program, the program will work with you to create an individualized development plan and timeline for your program to be completed in ~7 years. After completion of the first two years of medical school and passing the step exam, you would move into the Ph.D. component of the program. You will return to the clerkship/clinical years after the Ph.D. component. Students accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. will have tuition and fees paid during the M.D. years and tuition, fees and a stipend for the Ph.D. years.

For current HU M.D. students to join the M.D./Ph.D. program, you would first meet with the Dean of Medical School Admissions to indicate your interest. Your file will be sent to the graduate program for review. Previous research experience is required. If accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program, the program will work with you to create an individualized development plan. You will return to the clerkship/clinical years after the Ph.D. component. Students accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. will have tuition, fees and a stipend for the Ph.D. years and tuition and fees paid during the final two M.D. years.