Graduate Programs

Fourteen Paths of Discovery...

In the world of scientific exploration, there are many mysteries to unravel. What areas of research fascinate you?

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine offers 14 programs that lead to a Ph.D., as well as a highly competitive M.D./Ph.D. program. Each of these paths has outstanding faculty to serve as expert guides for those interested in joining them on their particular quest for discovery.

Departmental Programs

Graduate programs based in an independent BCM academic department.

Interdepartmental Programs

Graduate programs that include faculty from more than one department.

Combined Degree Programs

Graduate programs for BCM medical students, faculty, and fellows.

Departmental Programs

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program features cross-disciplinary approaches to research in biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, and structural biology.

Immunology

The Department of Immunology offers an outstanding graduate program with training in a wide range of basic and translational research. Faculty research encompasses cancer immunology and inflammatory mechanisms, gene therapy and genetic vaccines, immune-related diseases such as asthma and AIDS, lymphocyte activation; development of T and B lymphocytes and dendritic cells, and antigen presentation.

Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology is internationally acclaimed for its outstanding research and graduate program. Faculty research interests are diverse and include: aging, cancer biology (breast, prostate and skin), cell cycle regulation, chromatin and transcription factors, cellular signaling, developmental biology, diabetes and molecular metabolism, molecular biology of nuclear receptors and co-activators, molecular genetics and KO mice, gene therapy, molecular neurobiology, reproductive biology and stem cell biology.

Molecular and Human Genetics

The Graduate Program in Molecular and Human Genetics provides training in classical and modern genetics of humans and model organisms, bioinformatics, and genomics. The broad research interests of the department include the principles of DNA replication and repair, DNA recombination, cell division, aging, cancer, development, learning, memory and social behavior.

Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

The Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics utilizes world-class technologies to understand disease mechanisms. The faculty members are very interactive with ongoing research in the areas of learning and memory, cell motility, protein structure and function, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, skeletal muscle diseases, Sandhoff's disease, cystic fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease.

Molecular Virology & Microbiology

The Ph.D. program in Molecular Virology & Microbiology offers comprehensive and multidisciplinary training in virology and microbiology, and their many health-related implications.

Neuroscience

Graduate studies in Neuroscience provide training from leading investigators on how the molecular, cellular, and network properties of the brain give rise to processes such as attention, reasoning, memory, perception, and motor control in health and disease throughout the lifespan. Graduates are extremely competitive for obtaining prestigious positions at leading biomedical and liberal arts academic research institutions and in industry.

Pharmacology

The Department of Pharmacology's faculty members are involved in a variety of research interests in pharmacology and molecular biology. Program graduates are equipped with the tools and knowledge required to attack the unsolved problems of drug actions, gene regulation, control of the cell cycle, and the development of new drugs and approaches to medical problems.

Interdepartmental Programs

Cardiovascular Sciences

The Cardiovascular Sciences Graduate Program of the DeBakey Heart Center is an interdepartmental program offering an integrated study of the cardiovascular system. Research directions range from mechanisms and etiology of various cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, ischemia and hypertension to an in-depth study of normal control mechanisms of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle at a variety of levels.

Cell and Molecular Biology

Cell and Molecular Biology is an interdepartmental and multidisciplinary program with more than 95 faculty members whose research interests include: disease mechanisms; gene regulation; developmental biology; signal transduction; structural and computational biology; aging; cancer, cell cycle and growth control; genomics and proteomics; microbiology; virology; and immunology. The program provides a flexible curriculum and fosters faculty-student interactions by means of individual counseling, small group courses, seminars, and a research symposium.

Developmental Biology

The Interinstitutional Program in Developmental Biology provides a wide spectrum of exciting research possibilities and a broad cross-disciplinary training in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and genomics. How a single cell develops into a complex organism is at the forefront of basic science research and is of direct and fundamental relevance to human development, disease, and stem cell therapy. Students typically graduate with an excellent publication record and go on to successful careers.

Structural and Computational Biology & Molecular Biophysics

The Structural and Computational Biology & Molecular Biophysics Program is interdisciplinary and cross-institutional, enlisting faculty from six institutions in the Houston area. Research activities include quantitative and physical approaches to molecular and cell biology, biophysics, genomics, proteomics, neuroscience, nanobiology, molecular design, drug design, and medicine.

Translational Biology & Molecular Medicine

Translational Biology & Molecular Medicine is an interdepartmental program uniquely designed to provide outstanding training in biomedical research at the interface of the basic sciences and clinical medicine.

Combined Degree Programs

Clinical Scientist Training Program

The Clinical Scientist Training Program is committed to educating and training highly motivated individuals to become successful, independent clinical investigators and future leaders in academic medicine and biomedical research. It is designed primarily for junior faculty and senior sub-specialty fellows. You must have an appointment at BCM in order to be eligible to apply for this program.

M.D./Ph.D. Program

Combined M.D./Ph.D. degree training at BCM, located in the largest medical center in the world, gives future physician scientists the opportunity to learn and work in an environment conducive to tremendous growth and success that can lead to significant scientific contributions in future research endeavors and clinical practice.

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