Find Out About these Programs at UMass Medical School

Ph.D. studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at the University of Massachusetts Worcester trains students in basic and translational biomedical sciences in preparation for conducting research with direct relevance to human disease. Graduates are: (i) prepared to be researchers and educators in schools of the health professions and liberal arts colleges; (ii) expert in collaborative research with scientists and physicians undertaking basic and clinical research; (iii) highly sought as scientists by biotechnology industries.

 Ph.D. Programs Offered

• Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Cell & Developmental Biology
• Clinical & Population Health Research
• Immunology & Microbiology
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
• Neuroscience
• Translational Science
• MD/PhD

Ph.D. Programs Overview

The GSBS has a long-standing strength in basic molecular, cellular and organismal biological research designed to understand the mechanistic foundations of biology as well as how organisms integrate genetic and metabolic systems. Each of the PhD programs also offers research opportunities with direct application to clinical outcomes. With recent increases in laboratory space and facilities, faculty number and funding from federal and private agencies, UMass Medical School is one of the fastest growing research institutions in the U.S. In addition to the other outstanding research facilities, for example the Aaron Lazare Medical Research Building and Biotech 2, this growth is exemplified by the recent opening of the Albert Sherman Center – fully operational in early 2013. The Albert Sherman Center is a 500,000 ft² research and educational building that houses both basic and clinical science laboratories, including the new RNA Therapeutics Institute, the Gene Therapy Center and the Quantitative Health Sciences Program. The GSBS promotes the collaborative environment that drives the research enterprise on our campus by encouraging incoming students to perform a series of laboratory rotations in different research programs during their first year. At the completion of year one, students choose a thesis lab and specific program in which to perform their dissertation studies.

Combined MD/PhD Program

With the recent award of the Medical Scientist Training Program grant from the NIH (July 2013), our MD/PhD program welcomes the increased development of superb research and clinical education opportunities for our students. As a young and growing program we recruit students from across the nation who have a demonstrated commitment to biomedical research. In addition to the Medical School curriculum and research opportunities in the GSBS programs noted above, the MD/PhD program offers specialized MD/PhD coursework and an extensive supportive advising program. We provide flexibility tailored to the individual needs of each student. Our program has an outstanding tradition of graduates obtaining top-tier residency and fellowship placements.

   

 

 

 

 

 

Pathway to Graduate Studies Program

For students seeking a career in biomedical research, the year-long Pathway to Graduate Study Program (PGSP) in the GSBS offers an outstanding opportunity to enhance academic preparedness and laboratory-based or clinical research experience. At year’s end the PGSP graduate is competitive for admission into the GSBS and other top-tier graduate PhD programs. Having completed some of the first year curriculum requirements, graduates may enter an accelerated program of study in the UMMS GSBS.

An important goal of the PGSP is to increase the diversity of the biomedical sciences graduate student population. Therefore, applications are strongly encouraged from students belonging to groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including racial minorities, students with disabilities, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

For more information on the organization of our PhD and MD/PhD programs, campus facilities, as well as student outcomes and accomplishments, please download the “GSBS Overview 2015-2016” from the FUTURE STUDENTS pull-down at the following site:

http://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/index.aspx

Financial Information

• All applications are submitted online and you can establish an account and complete the application at our following site, which is open now, as of September 2, 2015 and closes December 15, 2015.

http://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/futurestudents/admissions.aspx

• All PhD and MD/PhD students receive a stipend (currently $30,000 for the academic year 2015/2016). Stipends increase to cover cost-of-living and other mandated changes and are guaranteed for the duration of your studies.
• Health, dental, and disability insurance is covered by the school.
• The GSBS encourages students to apply for pre-doctoral fellowships from federal and private agencies. A stipend increase is provided for those who obtain such awards.