Biomedical Sciences
For more complete information, visit the Biomedical Sciences Web site
- Chair: David S. Carlson, Endowed Gaylord Professor, Regents Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Education
- Program Director: Paul C. Dechow
- Professors: L. Bellinger, C. Berry, R. Finnell, E. Miller, K. Svoboda
- Associate Professors: P. Dechow, R. Hinton, B. Hutchins, L. Mitchell, F. Williams, B. Wong
- Assistant Professors: P. Ezzo, A. Honeyman, J. McIntosh, J. Mbiene, M. Nouri-Shirazi, L. Opperman, R. Spears
- Adjunct Professors: E. Ellis, R. Gatchel, D. German, L. Mann, O. Öz M. Samchukov, G. Throckmorton, J. Vanatta, B. Welch
- Adjunct Assistant Professors: D. Genecov, M. Makarov
- Adjunct Associate Professors: J. Newman
Associated Faculty:
I. Al-Hashimi (Periodontics); P. Buschang, R. Taylor and R. Behrents (Orthodontics); L. Folke (Public Health Sciences); S. Taylor and G. Triplett (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology); J. Wright and W. Binnie (Diagnostic Sciences)
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
30 semester hours minimum (advanced placement possible for students with a D.D.S.)
Master’s Thesis
24 months minimum
Starting date: Fall semester desirable
Program Objectives
The M.S. program in Biomedical Sciences is oriented toward graduates of dental programs and students enrolled in a specialty clinical program at Baylor College of Dentistry. This program also is well suited for dental specialists from countries other than the United States who desire to obtain or improve their background in dental research, but do not have the time to pursue a Ph.D. degree. Current dental students at Baylor College of Dentistry and non-dental students with a baccalaureate degree in the biological sciences also are eligible to apply to the M.S. Program in Biomedical Sciences.
For current dental students and for students with a D.D.S. degree or equivalent, whether or not they are enrolled concomitantly in a clinical specialty program, the program’s primary objectives are to:
- provide training in basic biomedical sciences and modern research methods;
- equip students with the basic information and tools for critical analysis of the literature necessary to be lifelong learners in the oral health sciences; and
- prepare students for participation on clinical dental faculties.
An additional benefit of the M.S. Program in Biomedical Sciences is that predoctoral students and students in the dental specialty programs at Baylor College of Dentistry will become more competitive for admission to training programs in the dental clinical specialties and Ph.D. programs.
For most graduate clinical programs at Baylor College of Dentistry, there is significant overlap in course work with the M.S. degree in biomedical sciences. Thus, the M.S. in biomedical sciences may serve as an alternative to the M.S. in oral biology (the usual degree for most graduate specialty students). The M.S. in biomedical sciences is especially appropriate for those clinical students with stronger academic motivation or who may wish to pursue a combined career of clinical practice and teaching in a clinical department.
Current dental students at Baylor College of Dentistry are also eligible for the M.S. program. These students work with advisers in the graduate program to implement specially designed M.S. programs. The goal is to provide research training that will provide an excellent background for subsequent advanced research training in a Ph.D. program or fellowship, and clinical specialty training.
On occasion, students with a bachelor’s degree only are accepted into the program. For them, the primary objective of the M.S. program is to provide training in basic biomedical sciences and modem research methods. This training will enhance opportunities for careers as educators in secondary schools and junior colleges, and as technicians and research associates in modern biological laboratories. The master’s in biomedical sciences also is appropriate for students who wish to pursue research and enhance their educational experience in further preparation for admission to dental and medical schools and advanced graduate (Ph.D.) programs.
The M.S. program in Biomedical Sciences offers concentrations in the following fields of study central to the oral health sciences:
- Anatomy
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology/Immunology
- Physiology/Pharmacology
Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences
78-semester hours minimum (advanced placement possible for students with a D.D.S.)
Doctoral dissertation
Starting date: Fall semester desirable
Program Objectives
The Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences is available for advanced students who have either a baccalaureate degree with a science concentration or a D.D.S./D.M.D. degree and who are interested in academic and research careers in the oral health sciences. Preference will be given to students who also have a master’s degree or certificate in a clinical specialty, or who are currently enrolled in such a program or the D.D.S. program at Baylor College of Dentistry.
Work leading to the doctor of philosophy degree is designed to give the candidate a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of a professional field and training in methods of research. The final basis for granting the degree is the candidate’s grasp of the subject matter of a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. In addition, the candidate must acquire the ability to express thought clearly in both oral and written language.
The Ph.D. program provides a multidisciplinary research and educational training experience for outstanding dentists and dental specialists who seek careers as educators and researchers in the oral health sciences. A special emphasis of the program is the joint training of those who wish to pursue dental specialty and Ph.D. training simultaneously. The specific objectives of the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences are to:
- train advanced students in scientific methods and techniques necessary to conduct modern biological and clinical research;
- produce significant research accomplishments during the course of training;
- train advanced students to communicate academic knowledge and research findings to classroom and professional audiences; and
- prepare the next generation of researchers and educators to join faculties of basic sciences and clinical specialty departments in major research universities.
The concentration available in the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences depends entirely on the availability of resources and suitable numbers of research faculty as mentors. The current primary foci of the program are in the areas of craniofacial biology and stomatology.
Postdoctoral Training
The research and training environment in the Department of Biomedical Sciences provides excellent resources for those seeking postdoctoral educational experiences. Trainees are able to take advantage of the overall research environment, research programs in specific laboratories of interest and ongoing lecture, seminar and discussion series, which are part of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.
The goals of the postdoctoral education are similar to those described above in the description of the Ph.D. program, but can be more circumscribed, depending on the interests of the trainee. Ideal candidates for postdoctoral education are students who have completed the D.D.S., clinical specialty degrees and/or Ph.D. degrees. Students with Ph.D. degrees may seek additional training in specific research methodologies or a general exposure to research and training opportunities in research areas related to dentistry. Students with the D.D.S. or clinical specialty degrees may seek a general exposure to a research environment in modern biomedical sciences without the attending rigor of the Ph.D. program. A key element of postdoctoral training is flexibility in meeting the needs of the trainee. This program accommodates those with a broad range of needs and possible time commitments for advanced academic and research training.
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