Keck School of Medicine

Ph.D. Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS)

Program Director: Ite A. Laird-Offringa, Ph.D.

The USC Ph.D. Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS) is a gateway program into graduate studies at the USC Health Sciences Campus, leading to a Ph.D. degree in a broad range of biological and biomedical disciplines.

PIBBS students experience a common first-year curriculum that will build a solid foundation in biomedical and biological sciences. Students are required to complete 25 units of core classes during the fall, spring and summer semesters of the PIBBS year, including courses in cell biology, molecular biology, human genetics and genomics, biostatistics, bioethics and scientific writing. Students will also complete three research rotations during the first year.

At the end of the spring semester of the first year, students will select a faculty adviser and a specific Ph.D. program from among the four participating programs listed. In the second year, students will take classes that will differ depending on the Ph.D. program they join; second year classes may include, but are not limited to, topics such as biochemistry, epidemiology, stem cell biology, molecular genetics, cancer, human genomics, immunology, and physiology. In addition, each student will complete qualifying examinations for the chosen Ph.D. program and will develop and complete an original research project that will serve as the basis for a doctoral dissertation.

Ph.D. Graduate Programs

Cancer Biology and Genomics
Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine
Medical Biology
Molecular Structure and Signaling

PIBBS Admission Requirements

Application Deadline (priority review): December 1
Applicants to PIBBS should have a baccalaureate degree in natural sciences, or sufficient courses in mathematics and the life sciences. This is required to provide a strong background for studies in biomedical and biological research. Appropriate undergraduate degrees include biology, physiology, engineering, chemistry or computer science.

Applicants should have a strong record of academic achievement and satisfactory performance on the general and advanced portions of the GRE. Other requirements for admission include: a detailed statement of purpose as well as three letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a wet laboratory or computational research mentor. Previous research experience is expected. Students are admitted for the academic year in the fall semester. Applicants who are accepted with minor deficiencies are expected to correct these during the first year following enrollment. Although there is no formal application deadline, complete applications received by December 1 will be given priority.

Financial Support

Admitted students are supported by research assistantships or fellowships during their graduate career. Tuition, health insurance and health fees are also covered.

Lab Rotations

During the first year, students register for INTD 790 Research (4 units in the fall semester and 3 units in the spring semester) and rotate through the labs of three faculty members of the program (potential research advisers). By the first summer of graduate study, but no later than after 12 months in the program, each student is expected to have selected a faculty mentor/research adviser.

PIBBS Required Core Curriculum and Research

Admission Requirements for Ph.D. Programs

Admission to the Keck School of Medicine Ph.D. program is open to all incoming PIBBS students provided all PIBBS admission requirements are met and all first year course and lab rotation requirements have been satisfactorily completed. Students from other sources, such as M.D./Ph.D. students and clinician scientists, may also be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

In general, new graduate students apply for admission to USC through the Ph.D. programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS), and become enrolled in one of four Ph.D. programs at the Keck School of Medicine after the successful completion of the PIBBS year. During the PIBBS year, students must complete the core curriculum of 25 units, maintain a 3.0 grade point average with no grade lower than a C on all courses and must complete three laboratory rotations in order to continue into a Ph.D. program.

Application information is available by contacting the PIBBS Program at pibbs@usc.edu.

Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Biology and Genomics

Program Director: Gerhard Coetzee, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. program in Cancer Biology and Genomics (CBG) focuses on training investigators in strategies to understand the mechanisms of cancer development and progression which includes cell biological and genomic approaches. The ultimate objective is to translate basic findings into diagnostics, treatments and ultimate cures. The program applies a multidisciplinary approach toward these goals, with the full realization that cancers in different organs represent different diseases. However all cancers relate to uncontrolled cell proliferation with many cancers having a strong genetic predisposition. Consequently, major features of this program include the breadth of medically related interests and training and faculty characterized by wide and varied skills in many cancer-related research areas. To facilitate the application of multidisciplinary approaches to make cancer a disease of the past, close and regular contact between participating faculty of different disciplines and students is a major theme of this Ph.D. program.

Cancer Biology and Genomics students are required to take CBG 580, INTD 504 and INTD 685; and must complete a total of 4 units from the following: INTD 549, PM 512, PM 517ab, PM 533*, PM 534*, PM 570*, PM 599, MPTX 500 or other courses approved by the academic adviser. In the second year, students are required to register for INTD 575 in the fall and spring semesters. In the third and subsequent years, students should register for INTD 600 every fall and spring semester. In addition, students are required to complete at least 4 units of CBG 794ab Doctoral Dissertation.

Ph.D. students must supplement course work by registering for CBG 790 Research during the fall, spring, and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the Ph.D. program.

As part of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Cancer Biology and Genomic, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, guidance committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, annual research appraisal, and dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the Ph.D. programs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine

Program Director: Gage Crump, Ph.D.
The goal of the Ph.D. program in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine is to train the next generation of investigators in the history and practice of developmental and stem cell biology. The ultimate aim is to understand how the genomes of animals are translated into complex morphological forms, and to apply this basic knowledge to the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Close and regular contact between participating faculty of different disciplines and students is expected to facilitate the application of multidisciplinary approaches toward regenerative medicine.

Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine students are required to complete DSR 542 and at least 2 units from the following: DSR 610, DSR 620, INTD 504 or other courses approved by the faculty adviser. In the second and subsequent years, students are required to register in DSR 574 every fall and spring semester. In addition, students are required to complete at least 4 units of DSR 794ab Doctoral Dissertation.

Ph.D. students must supplement course work by registering for DSR 790 Research during the fall, spring and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the Ph.D. program.

As part of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, guidance committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, annual research appraisal, and dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the Ph.D. programs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Biology

Program Director: W. Martin Kast, Ph.D.
The objective of the Ph.D. program in Medical Biology (MEDB) is to educate investigators to develop strategies to translate and implement knowledge from cellular, molecular and genetic advances into studies of normal human organ system function as well as mechanisms of human organ system dysfunction in disease and how to reverse this dysfunction by medical treatment. Animal disease models as well as clinical trials in patients are frequently used to advance this field.

The program applies multidisciplinary approaches to understanding the human organism as a whole. Breadth of medically related interests and training are major features of this track and wide and varied skills in many research areas characterize the faculty. To facilitate application of multidisciplinary approaches, close and regular contact between participating faculty and students is a major theme of this Ph.D. program.

The MEDB program caters to M.D./Ph.D. students, clinician scientists and PIBBS students interested in but not limited to the following fields: immunology (including cancer immunology), virology (including cancer virology), microbiology, physiology and pathology (for example: diabetes, obesity, autoimmunity, infectious diseases, gastro-intestinal and liver diseases, heart and lung diseases, hypertension, central nervous system diseases, etc.)

Medical Biology students are required to complete 8 units from the following courses: INTD 504, INTD 522, INTD 549, INTD 550, INTD 551, INTD 572, INTD 573 or other courses approved by the faculty adviser. In the second and subsequent years, students are required to register in INTD 574 every fall and spring semester. In addition, students are required to complete at least 4 units of MEDB 794ab Doctoral Dissertation.

Ph.D. students must supplement course work by registering for MEDB 790 Research during the fall, spring and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the Ph.D. program.

As part of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Medical Biology, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, guidance committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, annual research appraisal, and dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the Ph.D. programs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Structure and Signaling

Program Director: Wei Li, Ph.D.
The goal of the Ph.D. program in Molecular Structure and Signaling is to train students to become future leaders in biomedical and related fields. The Molecular Structure and Signaling program includes structural biology of proteins, lipids and nucleotides and signaling mechanisms by these molecules. The program encourages students to tackle important molecular problems with a high degree of difficulty and learn about creative thinking, experimental design and problem-solving skills. The Molecular Structure and Signaling program emphasizes elucidation of novel mechanisms and insights into important biomedical problems. In addition, the program promotes its students to become master communicators in science. Prior to graduation, Ph.D. students must demonstrate their understanding of the research, elucidation of a novel structure and/or signaling mechanism and a clear interpretation of its potential for developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Molecular Structure and Signaling students are required to complete: INTD 549, INTD 575, MSS 574 and MSS 580. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the Molecular Structure and Signaling executive committee. In the second and subsequent years, students are required to register in MSS 574 every fall and spring semester. In addition, students are required to complete at least 4 units of MSS 794ab Doctoral Dissertation.

Ph.D. students must supplement course work by registering for MSS 790 Research during the fall, spring and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the Ph.D. program.

As part of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Molecular Structure and Signaling, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, guidance committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, annual research appraisal, and dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the Ph.D. programs.

Unit/Course Requirements

A minimum of 60 units of graduate course credits is required for the Ph.D., including course work, seminars, research and dissertation units. No more than 8 units of 794 may be applied toward the Ph.D. degree. Students must complete the first year PIBBS core curriculum as well as course requirements for their specific Ph.D. program. Thirty units of course work, including the PIBBS core curriculum, must be completed before they are considered for the qualifying examination. Additional course work relevant to the research interests of the student may be required by the student’s qualifying exam committee or by the student’s faculty adviser.

Guidance Committee

After 30 units of course work, which includes the PIBBS core curriculum and course requirements for one of the four Ph.D. programs, the student, in consultation with his/her faculty adviser, will nominate five faculty members to serve on the guidance committee for the qualifying examination. A minimum of three of the faculty must be from the student’s Ph.D. program, and one must be a faculty member from outside the Ph.D. program. The chair of the guidance committee must be a member of the student’s Ph.D. program and the faculty adviser is not allowed to be on the committee (but may be a silent presence during the exam). These nominations are submitted to the chair of the program for formal appointment.

Qualifying Examination

Students in the Ph.D. program must pass both the written screening and the oral portions of the qualifying examination administered by their guidance committee during the second year of graduate study.

The written screening exam involves writing a research grant proposal. The deadline for completion of the written screening is January 5 of the second year. Students who receive a failing score will be allowed one resubmission, with a deadline of March 5 of the same year. The written portion must be passed before the oral portion can be taken.

The oral examination must be completed no later than September 1 of the beginning of the third year and only after successful completion of the written screening exam. The oral examination consists of two parts. The first part consists of a presentation of the proposed thesis research. The second part consists of an open forum in which the guidance committee asks general questions on any topic related to the student’s research.

Final evaluation of the examination is determined by a consensus of the guidance committee. If a student fails, it is at the discretion of the committee to allow the student to repeat the oral examination within 60 days. A second failure will be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Recommendation for advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree is made on the basis of the successful completion of the qualifying examination, course requirements and the student’s maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA. A student who has not been recommended for advancement to candidacy at the end of the first semester of the third year will be dismissed from the program.

Annual Research Appraisal (ARA)

After advancing to candidacy, each graduate student presents a progress report to his or her dissertation research committee. Prior to the meeting, the student prepares a short written document describing significant experiments, problems and projected studies. This document is distributed to the committee and is included in the student’s file. The ARA meeting is intended to be a working session between the student and his or her committee; experimental results and problems are discussed with this context. In addition the student presents a research plan for the next year of work. A satisfactory ARA is required of every student for each year of residence after the completion of the qualifying exam. A final ARA is required the semester before the student is permitted to defend the dissertation.

Dissertation Committee

After advancement to candidacy, the student must form a dissertation committee, in consultation with their faculty adviser. A minimum of three committee members must be selected, one of which is the faculty adviser, and at least one of which must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member of the student’s Ph.D. program. One committee member may be non-tenure track. The chair of the dissertation committee must be a member of the student’s Ph.D. program and may not be the faculty adviser. The dissertation committee is responsible for counseling the student during preparation of the dissertation and conducting the final oral examination during the dissertation defense. Students are expected to meet with the dissertation committee once per year to discuss progress.

Dissertation committee members are expected to read and comment on a dissertation within two weeks from its submission. The student and faculty will coordinate a timeline for the student to present the thesis to the dissertation committee. This timeline must allow all dissertation committee members enough time to fulfill their responsibilities within the four-week deadline.

Dissertation and Oral Defense

The student’s research is reported in a dissertation written under the guidance of the dissertation committee. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent research, scholarly achievement and technical mastery of a special field. Students should have at least one first author publication accepted in a peer-reviewed journal before the defense.

When the final draft of the dissertation is ready, the student will take the final oral defense. Students must submit their dissertation to the dissertation committee at least one month before the student expects to make final revisions; committee members are expected to respond within two weeks.

The dissertation defense is a formal public presentation of the student’s research before the program faculty and students. Dissertation defenses must be publicized at least two weeks prior to the oral defense.

All doctoral candidates must be registered in 794 Doctoral Dissertation each semester (excluding summer sessions) from the time of their advancement to candidacy until their dissertation is approved and submitted to the Graduate School.

Courses of Instruction

Cancer Biology and Genomics (CBG)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

CBG 580 Topics in Cancer Biology and Genomics (1, max 12, Sp) Selected topics in Cancer Biology and Genomics including review of contemporary literature and research. Prerequisite: INTD 504. Open only to graduate students.

CBG 790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Open only to doctoral students. Graded CR/NC.

CBG 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to doctoral students.

Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (DSR)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

DSR 542 Principles of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (4, Sm) Introduction to developmental and stem cell biology. Lectures and lab component prepare students for a career in developmental and stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

DSR 574 Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Seminar Series (1, max 10, FaSp) Selected topics in Development, Stem Cell, and Regeneration. Open only to Development, Stem Cell, and Regeneration Ph.D. students. Graded CR/NC.

DSR 610 Current Topics in Regenerative Medicine (1, max 12, Sp) Selected topics on sub-fields within developmental and stem cell biology including review of contemporary literature and research. Prerequisite: DSR 542. Open only to master and doctoral students.

DSR 620 Current Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Organogenesis (1, max 12, Fa) Selected topics on sub-fields within stem cell biology and organogenesis. Includes review of contemporary literature and research. Prerequisite: DSR 542. Open only to master and doctoral students.

DSR 790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Open only to doctoral students. Graded CR/NC.

DSR 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to doctoral students.

Medical Biology (MEDB)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

MEDB 790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Open only to doctoral students. Graded CR/NC.

MEDB 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to doctoral students.

Molecular Structure and Signaling (MSS)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

MSS 574 Molecular Structure and Signaling Seminar Series (1, max 12, FaSp) Selected topics in Molecular Structure and Signaling. Open only to doctoral students.

MSS 580 Experimental Design and Execution in Molecular Biology (4, Fa) To provide in depth knowledge on experimental design, execution and data analysis/interpretation for generating high impact publications. Open only to graduate students.

MSS 790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Open only to doctoral students. Graded CR/NC.

MSS 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open only to doctoral students.

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