The Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS)

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One Application - 13 Graduate Training Programs

The thirteen Ph.D. training programs that make up the Program in Biomedical Sciences are listed below with short descriptions of their training. For more information on each discipline, please explore the individual program web sites.

Bioinformatics
Program Outline

Bioinformatics offers a flexible program tailored to the background and career aspirations of the student. In this interdisciplinary program, a core of required courses provides a strong foundation in Bioinformatics and Computational Biological Sciences. The elective courses extend to the student's expertise in a particular area of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Chemistry, Biophysics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Human Genetics, Mathematics, Microbiology & Immunology, Pharmacy and Statistics. The curriculum will accommodate researchers coming from diverse backgrounds. Thesis work may be computational or a mix of experiment and theory.

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Biological Chemistry
Program Outline

The graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree in Biological Chemistry is designed to provide outstanding training toward careers in research and scholarship in the areas of biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and related areas. This program exposes students to a broad spectrum of current research through innovative course structures and seminars. Students have the opportunity of pursuing dissertation research in any of approximately 50 laboratories in a department that provides an intellectually stimulating and interactive environment.

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Biophysics
Program Outline

Biophysics Graduate Program prepares students to pursue independent research at the interface of biology, chemistry, and physics. Faculty and students engage in fundamental and applied studies of proteins, nucleic acids, membranes, and complex cellular systems using powerful theoretical and experimental tools of structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, spectroscopy, and microscopy.

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Cell & Developmental Biology
Program Outline

The mission of the Graduate Program in Cell & Developmental Biology is to train Ph.D. students to conduct modern research that combines molecules and morphology in understanding the mechanisms underlying cellular and developmental processes.

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Cellular & Molecular Biology
Program Outline

The Graduate Program in Cellular & Molecular Biology provides interdisciplinary Ph.D. training that is individually tailored for each student. Trainees choose research opportunities from among 100 faculty members who represent more than 20 departments throughout the University, including Clinical and Basic Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Biophysics and others. Training faculty members are leaders in their fields and provide the highest quality research training in fields such as Cancer Biology, Cellular Architecture, Developmental Biology, Gene Expression, Gene Therapy, Macromolecular Structure, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Basis of Disease, Signal Transduction, and Virology.

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Human Genetics
Program Outline

The graduate program in Human Genetics offers theoretical and practical training to prepare Ph.D. scientists for careers in genetics including genomics, developmental genetics, molecular basis of human genetic disease, regulation of gene expression, gene therapy, cancer genetics, genetic epidemiology and population genetics. Our educational program includes laboratory and statistical research, state-of-the-art molecular genetics, and consideration of clinical applications and associated ethical issues. There are over twenty training faculty in Human Genetics.

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Immunology
Program Outline

This program is comprised of faculty members from 10 different departments within our different school. Coursework includes protein biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, basic immunology, and advanced research courses in immunology. Seminar series featuring both in-house speakers and those from other institutions including: antigen presentation, autoimmunity, B and T cell biology, cytokines, DNA rearrangements in the immune response, gene expression in lymphoid cells, host-pathogen immunology, transplantation, and tumor immunology.

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Microbiology & Immunology
Program Outline

The graduate Program in Immunology at the University of Michigan trains future leaders at the forefront of molecular and cellular immunology. Students learn to think independently while pursuing individual research interests in a uniquely diverse and flexible program. Over 40 faculty members from the schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) provide graduate training in immunology by incorporating concepts of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and biophysics into the curriculum. Individual attention and mentoring are standout strengths of this exciting and innovative program. This program will give a foundation that will enable students to pursue a broad range of career choices spanning from academics to industry and from the theoretical to the translational.

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Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Program Ou tline

MIP is a vibrant program in modern physiology – the study of how genes, molecules and cells interact to coordinate the function of dynamic systems and living organisms. Students utilize cutting edge techniques in genomics, proteomics and cell biology as a “molecular tool chest” to investigate the complex interplay of biological systems and molecular mechanisms of disease. Being a mid-sized graduate program, extensive opportunities exist for interaction with faculty, departmental participation, and development of leadership and teaching skills. Student success is a top priority. MIP houses the Center for Integrative Genomics and the Systems and Integrative Biology Training Grant.

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Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Program Outline

The Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology (MCDB) faculty are broadly interested how organisms, cells, molecules,and genomes function, develop,and evolve. They share technical approaches such as recombinant DNA, genetics, biochemistry, and specialized imaging. They also share a common intellectual approach that emphasizes mechanistic and experimental strategies to investigate a diverse set of biological problems using a variety of model systems including prokaryotes, yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, Arabidopsis, Xenopus, zebrafish, chick, and mammals. The Ph.D. degree program is intended for training researchers capable of carrying out independent and distinguished scholarly activities and thus contributing to the body of knowledge in their selected fields of specialization.

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Molecular and Cellular Pathology
Program Outline

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program offers training in molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, with emphasis on tissue injury and repair, inflammation, aging, tumor biology, apoptosis, and the biology and pathobiology of cytokines, adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix.

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Neuroscience
Program Outline

This interdisciplinary program leads to a Ph.D. degree in neuroscience. Students select a mentor from approximately 70 program faculty throughout the University. Research opportunities are diverse and include studies of animal behavior, neural imaging, electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, molecular neurobiology, genetics, and human disease.

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Pharmacology
Program Outline

The graduate program in Pharmacology provides students with a multifaceted approach to the study of drug action. The major programs of the department include: neuropharmacology, signal transduction, autonomic pharmacology, psychopharmacology, addiction research, cardiovascular pharmacology, cancer pharmacology, endocrine pharmacology, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacogenetics.

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Other Related Fields of Study at the University of Michigan

The Program in Biomedical Sciences offers a wide choice of training in 13 programs with over 300 faculty. Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Molecular, Cellular, & Developmenal Biology, and Neuroscience have two entry routes. Those students who are committed to a Ph.D. in either of these interdepartmental programs should probably apply directly to them. Students who would like to explore more options before committing to a Ph.D. program should apply through PIBS. There are several other programs for graduate training that might also be of interest to students who might apply to PIBS, some students might want to also check out all other potential programs through the Rackham Graduate School web site or link directly to one of the following training programs:

Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Bioinformatics (Direct Admission)
Biophysics (Direct Admission)
Biostatistics
Chemical Biology
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Dental Biomaterials
Environmental Health Sciences
Epidemiologic Science
Genetic Counseling (Masters Program)
Health Behavior and Health Education
Kinesiology
Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Medicinal Chemistry
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (Direct Admission)
Natural Resources and Environment
Neuroscience (Direct Admission)
Human Nutrition
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmaceutics
Toxicology

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