UMass Medical School
School Overview
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.
PhD Programs Offered
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- Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Clinical & Population Health Research
- Computational Biomedical Sciences & Engineering
- Immunology & Microbiology
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
- Neuroscience
- Translational Science
- MD/PhD
PhD 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 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 award of our Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) grant from the NIH in 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 pursuing a career as a physician/scientist. 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.
Aaron Lazare Medical Research Building
Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program
For students seeking a career in biomedical research, our NIH-funded year-long Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) offers an outstanding opportunity to enhance academic preparedness and laboratory based or clinical research experience. At year’s end the PREP 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 PREP is to increase the diversity of the biomedical science’s 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.
More Information
For more information on the organization of our PhD and MD/PhD programs, campus facilities, as well as student outcomes and accomplishments, please visit our web site below and use the pulldown menus for Prospective Students and Current Students at the top of the page, and the Admissions pull down for information about setting up an online application account. All applications for our PhD programs are submitted online using the Apply Yourself system (see web site link below) and will be available for submission in early August 2019.
Application fee waivers are available for all UMass Boston Graduate Fair participants. WAIVERS MUST BE REQUESTED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.
Financial Information
- All PhD and MD/PhD students receive a stipend ($31,850 for the academic year 2019/2020). Stipends increase to cover cost-of-living and other mandated changes and are guaranteed for the duration of your studies.
- Tuition is waived for all students.
- Health and dental insurance is provided for all PhD and MD/PhD students.
- 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.
