Apr 04, 2025

2019-2020 University Catalog

2019-2020 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

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Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Philosophy

The PhD in integrated biomedical sciences is designed to educate science professionals for leadership in research and academic positions, as well as to provide career path education relevant to their specialized fields. In the past, Rush offered doctoral degrees in anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, neurological science, physiology and pharmacology. Since collaborative interdisciplinary teams of scientists perform current and future biomedical research, we no longer offer, individual basic science degrees. Instead our new doctoral program emphasizes an integrated interdisciplinary approach to biomedical research. Graduates of this program will perform high-quality, impactful biomedical research at colleges and universities, government agencies, hospitals and nonprofit agencies and in industry. Students in the program will work with faculty and scientists to generate new knowledge in the fields of biomedicine using sophisticated research methods. As a part of the program, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of core and concentration-specific course work pass a comprehensive preliminary examination and a qualifying examination based on their research proposal. They will design and conduct research that culminates in a dissertation, and they will disseminate their scientific findings through scholarly publications and presentations.

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Curriculum

Cognates and Electives
For graduation, students will need 16 credits of cognate hours and nine credits of elective hours in courses that they select. They can take these at any time throughout their tenure as a PhD student.

First Year

The goal of the course work in the first year is to expose the student to the biomedical sciences to enable them to design and approach a research problem from molecular, biochemical, cellular and organ system perspectives. This broad based approach to disease is the core of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences program.

Second Year

Fall Term

GCC - 593 Introduction to Grantsmanship Credit(s): 1
GCC - 598 Pre-Proposal Research for Integrated Biomedical Sciences Credit(s): 1-9
GCC - 699 Dissertation Research Credit(s): 1-9

Spring Term

GCC - 598 Pre-Proposal Research for Integrated Biomedical Sciences Credit(s): 1-9
GCC - 699 Dissertation Research Credit(s): 1-9
GCC - 550 Practical Bioinformatics for the Biomedical Sciences Credit(s): 2
GCC - 547 Principles of Biostatistics II Credit(s): 2

Summer Term

GCC - 699 Dissertation Research Credit(s): 1-9

Note:

Please Note:

Two credit hours of dissertation research is defined as full-time

In years three through five, the emphasis is on research. A student works with their dissertation advisor, research advisory committee and track director, to determine the most appropriate mix of cognates, electives and research hours each term. For graduation, students will need 16 credit hours of cognates and 9 credit hours of electives. Electives and cognates may be taken at any time throughout a student’s tenure as a PhD student.

• Advanced Topics courses count as cognates and are taken for one term hour of credit each fall and spring term starting in the spring of the first year for a maximum of eight credits. This course is not required during the term when a student intends to graduate. The Advanced Topics Seminar course should align with the student’s research track.

• Predissertation Research: Predissertation Research and Laboratory Rotations are part of the core curriculum.

• Dissertation Research: Students are expected to register for a low number of research credits each term since only 18 credits of dissertation research are required for graduation. Two credit hours are considered to be a full-time commitment to research.

Other Cognates and Electives

While registrations appear similar in years three through five, the nature and character of the research changes and the student passes through a number of steps towards completion of the PhD.

GCC - 598 Pre-Proposal Research for Integrated Biomedical Sciences Credit(s): 1-9
GCC - 694 Advanced Topics for Translation Cancer Research Credit(s): 1
GCC - 695 Advanced Topics Seminar for Cardiovascular & Respiratory Biology Credit(s): 1
GCC - 696 Advanced Topics Seminar in Immunity, Infection & Inflammations Credit(s): 1
GCC - 697 Advanced Topics Seminar for Musculoskeletal Track Credit(s): 1
GCC - 698 Advanced Topics Seminar for Neuro Research Credit(s): 1
GCC - 699 Dissertation Research Credit(s): 1-9

Integrated Biomedical Sciences: PhD Tracks

Immunity, Infection, and Inflammation Track

Fall

Cognate or Elective

GCC - 696 Advanced Topics Seminar in Immunity, Infection & Inflammations Credit(s): 1
IMM - 507 Basic Immunology I Credit(s): 3
IMM - 510 Advanced Immunology I Credit(s): 4
IMM - 610 Special Topics Credit(s): 1-12

Core or Elective

GCC - 611 Cancer Biology I Credit(s): 3
GCC - 612 Cancer Biology II Credit(s): 3
GCC - 650 Neuroscience for Basic & Clinical Applic Credit(s): 3
GCC - 652 The Changing Nervous System Credit(s): 2

Electives

GCC - 611 Cancer Biology I Credit(s): 3
GCC - 650 Neuroscience for Basic & Clinical Applic Credit(s): 3
GCC - 651 Advanced Neuropharmacology/Neurophysiolo Credit(s): 2
GCC - 694 Advanced Topics for Translation Cancer Research Credit(s): 1
GCC - 695 Advanced Topics Seminar for Cardiovascular & Respiratory Biology Credit(s): 1
GCC - 697 Advanced Topics Seminar for Musculoskeletal Track Credit(s): 1
GCC - 698 Advanced Topics Seminar for Neuro Research Credit(s): 1
NEU - 591 Advanced Neuroscience Proseminar Credit(s): 2
PHY - 511 Graduate Physiology I Credit(s): 5

Spring

Cognate or Elective

GCC - 630 Microbiome in Health and Disease Credit(s): 2
GCC - 696 Advanced Topics Seminar in Immunity, Infection & Inflammations Credit(s): 1
IMM - 508 Basic Immunology II Credit(s): 3
IMM - 610 Special Topics Credit(s): 1-12

Electives

BCH - 571 Med Biochem for Grad Students Credit(s): 3
BCH - 624 Connective Tissue Biochemistry Credit(s): 2
GCC - 612 Cancer Biology II Credit(s): 3
GCC - 621 Vascular Biology Credit(s): 2
GCC - 652 The Changing Nervous System Credit(s): 2
GCC - 694 Advanced Topics for Translation Cancer Research Credit(s): 1
GCC - 695 Advanced Topics Seminar for Cardiovascular & Respiratory Biology Credit(s): 1
GCC - 697 Advanced Topics Seminar for Musculoskeletal Track Credit(s): 1
GCC - 698 Advanced Topics Seminar for Neuro Research Credit(s): 1
NEU - 591 Advanced Neuroscience Proseminar Credit(s): 2
PHY - 512 Graduate Physiology II Credit(s): 3

Musculoskeletal Track

Fall

For all students in the MSK track a course can be used as either a cognate or an elective. MS or PhD students planning to do biomechanics research are strongly encouraged to take the following four biomechanics courses BMC 506, 507, 508, and 509. PhD and MS students in Y2 and thereafter should take one Advanced Topics course (for example GCC-697 Advanced Topics in Musculoskeletal Research or GCC-694 through GCC-698) each fall and spring semester. PhD students in Y3 and Y4 are required to take GCC-693 Advanced Integrated Biological Topics each fall and spring semester.

Cognate or Elective

BMC - 508 Techniques in Orthopedic Biomedicanics Credit(s): 2
BMC - 509 Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System Credit(s): 2
BMC - 590 Special Topics Biom:Computational Method Credit(s): 3
GCC - 611 Cancer Biology I Credit(s): 3
GCC - 650 Neuroscience for Basic & Clinical Applic Credit(s): 3
GCC - 651 Advanced Neuropharmacology/Neurophysiolo Credit(s): 2
GCC - 693 Advanced Integrated Bioscience Topics Credit(s): 1
GCC - 694 Advanced Topics for Translation Cancer Research Credit(s): 1
GCC - 695 Advanced Topics Seminar for Cardiovascular & Respiratory Biology Credit(s): 1
GCC - 696 Advanced Topics Seminar in Immunity, Infection & Inflammations Credit(s): 1
GCC - 697 Advanced Topics Seminar for Musculoskeletal Track Credit(s): 1
GCC - 698 Advanced Topics Seminar for Neuro Research Credit(s): 1
IMM - 507 Basic Immunology I Credit(s): 3
IMM - 510 Advanced Immunology I Credit(s): 4
IMM - 610 Special Topics Credit(s): 1-12
NEU - 591 Advanced Neuroscience Proseminar Credit(s): 2
PHY - 511 Graduate Physiology I Credit(s): 5

Spring

Core

GCC - 515 Advanced Studies on Molecular, Cellular, and Functional Tissue Biology Credit(s): 2

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Cancer Research Track

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Biology Track

Neurosciences Track

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Dissertation Program Progression

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Academic Policies

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Track/Research Opportunities

The research tracks for the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program are translational cancer research; cardiovascular and respiratory biology; immunity, inflammation and infection; functions and disorders of the musculoskeletal system; and functions and disorders of the nervous system. The tracks include qualified faculty from Rush University Medical Center who have an interest in research in these tracks. They come from academic departments as well as clinical departments, which enables students to select a variety of individuals with basic and clinical expertise to serve on their advisory committees and guide them through their projects.

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Tuition Scholarship and Stipend

Acceptance into the doctoral program is limited by the availability of stipends. Accepted doctoral students receive a competitive University supported stipend and tuition scholarship, are supported by a funded faculty member or have stipends from external sources. University funded stipends are awarded to US residents. The stipend and tuition scholarship is renewed each year providing the student is making satisfactory progress towards the degree. Outside employment is forbidden without prior graduate college approval as it interferes with the time and effort necessary to complete the program. This excludes activities that would be in line with Individual Development Plan goals like tutoring, teaching and proctoring.