PhD Curriculum

BMS Ph.D. Curriculum

In the first year, Tulane University School of Medicine Biomedical Science (BMS) students take the identical core curriculum, described below. In conjunction with the course work in the first year, students rotate in 6-8 week blocks through three of the program’s participating research laboratories of the student’s choice. Students should choose a Dissertation Advisor by the end of the first year. This structure allows students to become more familiar with BMS research and faculty prior to beginning their dissertation research. Coursework in the second year must include at least 6 credit hours of lecture-based course work (electives). With a wide range of electives available. Students may choose to specify their study by choosing courses that are focused in Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology or Physiology.

A minimum of 48 credit hours of course work which includes research-based independent studies in year 2, is required for a Ph.D. at Tulane University. All formal coursework is to be completed within the first two years. Once coursework is completed, students will take the preliminary exam, which upon completion, the student is admitted into candidacy. As a Ph.D. candidate, the student must demonstrate the ability to carry out independent study and research in a chosen field, as evidenced in the dissertation. Students ordinarily complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree between four and six years from the initial date of matriculation in the program.

BMS Ph.D. Curriculum - Concentration in Biomedical Informatics

The Division of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. track in Biomedical Informatics (BMI) within the BMS Program. Biomedical Informatics has a unique core curriculum, as shown in the table below. In conjunction with the course work in the first year, students rotate in 6-8 week blocks through three of the division’s participating research laboratories of the student’s choice. Students accepted into the BMS BMI track are required to join faculty in the Division of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics but may consider one of other faculty outside of the Division for committee members or co-mentors (with approval of the Division Chief). Students should choose a Dissertation Advisor by the end of the first year, and complete 48 hours of coursework, including research-based independent studies, by the end of the second year. Once coursework is completed, students will take the preliminary exam, which upon completion, the student is admitted into candidacy. As a Ph.D. candidate, the student must demonstrate the ability to carry out independent study and research in a chosen field, as evidenced in the dissertation. Students ordinarily complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree between four and six years from the initial date of matriculation in the program.