MSC_MS - Medical Sciences (M.S.)

Program Information 

Interim Dean: J. Hunt
Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Education: D. Bloom

A complete listing of graduate programs in the College of Medicine can be found at: https://graduate.education.med.ufl.edu

The College of Medicine offers training opportunities leading to either the Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Science degree in medical sciences. Minimum requirements for these degrees are given in the General Information section of this catalog. The interdisciplinary program in biomedical sciences (BMS) is the major focus leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Other graduate courses and programs are listed under departmental or concentration headings.

Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (BMS)

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (BMS Program) is an umbrella Ph.D. program that offers students the opportunity to explore one or more areas of study before choosing their mentor and concentration of study. The BMS Program has seven concentrations of study which include:

· Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
· Cancer Biology
· Genetics
· Immunology and Microbiology
· Molecular Cell Biology
· Pharmacology and Therapeutics
· Physiology and Aging

The goal of the BMS is to prepare students for a diversity of careers in research and teaching in academic, government, and commercial settings, after completion of the Ph.D. in Medical Sciences. The program provides a modern, comprehensive graduate education in biomedical sciences while providing both maximum program flexibility and appropriate specialization for advanced training. The BMS represents a cooperative effort of seven interdisciplinary advanced concentrations with participation of over 300 faculty members.

During the first semester of study, students undertake a common, comprehensive interdisciplinary core curriculum of classroom study and a responsible conduct of research course. During the second semester, students begin to focus their coursework in one or two concentrations. Throughout the first two semesters, students participate in at least three laboratory rotations in any of the laboratories of the BMS faculty members. The advanced concentration and the supervisory committee chair are chosen no later than the end of the spring semester to maximize flexibility and facilitate an informed decision. Students entering the advanced concentrations take more specialized courses that strengthen their knowledge of these disciplines. The advanced concentration curricula are flexible enough to allow students to integrate course work offered in other advanced concentrations. In addition, journal clubs and seminars associated with their research interests allow students to further augment their scientific development.

Prospective students should have strong backgrounds in biology including genetics, chemistry (organic, quantitative, and biochemistry), physics, and calculus. Demonstrated high motivation and a serious intention to pursue research-related careers are also important considerations. This is best accomplished by performing independent study in a research laboratory for at least a semester, with a year or more being preferred. For more information, write:

BMS P.O. Box 100229 College of Medicine Gainesville, FL 32610-0229 For expanded information about the BMS, visit http://biomed.med.ufl.edu/.

Advanced Concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Coordinators: Mathew E. Merritt and Craig W. Vander Kooi

The Graduate Faculty of the biochemistry and molecular biology advanced concentration share an interest in the relationships between the structure of a biological macromolecule and the function of that molecule in the cell. The structure (encoded ultimately by the genome) sets the phenotype of the organism. The uniting theme among the Graduate Faculty is their approach to research: Each uses the techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology/genetics to characterize the function of a macromolecule and show how function (and the process it is part of) is determined by the structure of that molecule and its interactions with other macromolecules. Specific research directions range from physical determination of the molecular structure of proteins to regulation of cellular processes to the genetic mapping of disease loci.

For information about other programs and courses in this field, see the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology listing.

Advanced Concentration in Cancer Biology

Directors: Dietmar Siemann and Maria Zajac-Kaye

The Cancer Biology Concentration (CBC) provides training opportunities in cancer research ranging from basic to translational. The program spans many disciplines, including molecular and cell biology, genetics and epigenetics, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, pathology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, immunology and many others involved in the understanding of the development, progression, dissemination, and treatment of cancer.

Students in the program will have opportunities to work with outstanding cancer investigators in state-of-the-art facilities. Through combinations of courses, seminars, small group discussions, and an interdisciplinary approach to research, the program allows students to gain a unique understanding of cancer and to build a firm foundation upon which they can build careers in academia, government, and the biotech or pharmaceutical industry

For more information please see our website: http://BMS.med.ufl.edu/about/cancer-biology-concentration

Advanced Concentration in Clinical and Translational Science

Director: Wayne McCormack\

The Clinical & Translational Science PhD program provides graduate students with knowledge and skills required to develop a career in multidisciplinary clinical and translational research. This program uses a team-science approach to provide didactic training and mentoring for predoctoral students performing clinical and/or translational research in health-related fields at UF. Completion of program requirements results in the award of an interdisciplinary concentration in Clinical & Translational Science. Doctoral students from all UF doctoral graduate programs who are interested in health-related research are eligible to apply.

For more information contact:
Dr. Wayne McCormack
Program Director
mccormac@ufl.edu
https://www.ctsi.ufl.edu/education/ph-d-students/

Advanced Concentration in Genetics

Coordinators: M. R. Wallace and Lei Zhou

The concentration in genetics offers graduate training in all facets of modern molecular genetics including bacterial, viral, lower eukaryotic, mouse, developmental, and human genetics. The courses listed are taught in a 5-week modular format, ranging from 1-3 modules. For more information please see our website: https://biomed.med.ufl.edu/about/genetics/

Advanced Concentration in Immunology and Microbiology

Coordinators: David Ostrov, Jose Lemos, and Scott Tibbetts

The concentration in immunology and microbiology offers graduate training in cellular and molecular immunology (including immunopathology, immunogenetics, and autoimmunity) and in microbiology (including virology, bacteriology, microbial genetics, and microbial pathogenesis). The courses listed are taught in a 5-week modular format, ranging from 1-3 modules.

For more information see website: https://biomed.med.ufl.edu/about/immunology-microbiology/

Advanced Concentration in Medical Physics

Director: Manuel Arreola

The University of Florida’s Medical Physics Graduate Program is one of the oldest medical physics programs in the United States (originating in 1961) and is accredited for graduate degrees (MS and PhD) by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs(CAMPEP).
Academically housed in the College of Medicine, the program is a concentration under Medical Sciences. The program has multiple participating departments in the Colleges of Medicine and Engineering, including Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Engineering. Recently, students have been conducting their research at the UF Proton Therapy Institute (UFPTI) in Jacksonville; the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, the Robert Boisenault Oncology Institute with multiple locations in central Florida; and the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. Faculty from UFPTI participate in the direction of clinical training and research.

Advanced Concentration in Molecular Cell Biology

Coordinators: Alexander Ishov and William Dunn

The advanced concentration in molecular cell biology (MCB) prepares investigators for careers in biomedical research in academic or industrial settings. This multidisciplinary specialization has more than 50 participating faculty members and offers an extraordinary range of opportunities for advanced study of life at the molecular and cellular levels. The Graduate Faculty share common interests in the molecular interactions that account for functionally integrated subcellular, cellular, and tissue organization found in living organisms. The model systems in use range from yeast and cellular lime molds through Drosophila to birds and mammals. These systems are manipulated and analyzed using a wide range of powerful molecular, genetic, protein chemical, immunological, pharmacological, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and microscopic imaging strategies. Students who select MCB take advanced course work and initiate independent research during the second year. This approach provides broad-based vision early in the program and the appropriate degree of specialization later on.

For more information see website: https://biomed.med.ufl.edu/about/molecular-cell-biology/

Advanced Concentration in Neuroscience

Coordinators: Benoit Giasson and Eduardo Candelario-Jalil

Graduate students in the Neuroscience Concentration of Medical Sciences are mentored by faculty who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the normal and disordered nervous system using state-of-the-art technologies. This program provides a fertile ground for trainees to develop original research that will contribute to the field and that is directly relevant to preserving brain health and combatting neural disease. As a neuroscience student at UF, you will receive broad interdisciplinary training that fosters independent critical thinking and develops problem-solving skills. This program includes rigorous coursework, specialized seminar series, and explicit training in grant writing and other professional skills. Trainees have extensive opportunities to present their research for UF colleagues and at national and

international conferences. This program prioritizes student’s career development, and through a partnership with UF’s McKnight Brain Institute, offers an array of unique training opportunities.

Advanced Concentration in Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Coordinators: Jeffrey Harrison and Gemma Casadesus

The Graduate Faculty in this advanced concentration do cutting-edge research connecting mechanisms of human disease with the development of new medical therapies. Students learn the principals of biomedicine, such as how drugs and biological agents are discovered and developed to treat human diseases or conditions. Training in this concentration prepares graduates for career paths in academic science, pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and government/regulatory affairs.

For more information see website: https://biomed.med.ufl.edu/about/pharmacology-concentration/

Advanced Concentration in Physiology and Aging

Directors: Gonzalo Torres and Glenn Walter

The Graduate Faculty associated with this advanced concentration have expertise in a variety of disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, and biochemistry. These faculty bring together unique strengths to provide the students with diverse training. Students may train in laboratories involved in cardiovascular, neuro, endocrine, and developmental physiology; pharmacology; and toxicology. Students conduct research at the molecular, cellular, and integrative levels. Many of the faculty are involved in multidisciplinary, collaborative research efforts that aim to understand basic physiological mechanisms and pathophysiological processes (e.g., cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic diseases).

Other Doctoral Programs in Medical Sciences

Biomedical Informatics

The Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, with a concentration in Biomedical Informatics, offers advanced training in computer science, health and medicine, biostatistics, data science and analytics, engineering, and research methodology to prepare students for academic and research careers in the growing field of biomedical informatics. Graduates will be prepared to pursue faculty-level positions and help drive innovation in health care and research.

Health Outcomes and Implementation Science

The Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, with a concentration in Health Outcomes and Implementation Science, is a specialized degree designed to put its graduates at the forefront of innovative research to develop, implement, and evaluate clinical and community-based programs that promote health and health outcomes. Throughout the curriculum, special emphasis is placed on health disparities and vulnerable populations.

Combination Degree Program: The College participates in a combination degree program between a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a Master of Science degree with a major in Medical Sciences with or without a concentration in Pharmacology. Information on this program can be found at: https://biology.ufl.edu/undergraduates/undergraduate-combined-degree-program-offerings/bsms-program-requirements/bachelor-of-science-in-biology-and-master-of-science-in-medical-sciences/