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Joe Cirilo, a student in the Biomedical Sciences PhD program, is seen at work in a College of Medicine lab in June 2020.

Typical Coursework Schedule for the Biomedical Sciences MD/PhD

The typical core and track-specific coursework schedule for Years M1 to G2 of the MD/PhD Biomedical Sciences degree is seen here.

In consultation with their Dissertation Adviser, students may take additional credits. Since electives are taken during various semesters depending on when classes of interest are offered, the times for elective credits are not shown. BMS 600, 601, 610, or 611 credits do not count toward required elective credits.

All BMS students sign up for one credit of BMS 590 each Spring. Students who have not passed the comprehensive examination sign up for a grade. Students who have passed the comprehensive examination sign up for Audit.

BMS Program Track

  • 14 core requirement credits
  • 2 program required credits
  • 12 MD/PhD required credits
  • 6 elective credits

Years M1 and M2

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • Medical courses taken in Years M1 and M2 replace the BMS core curriculum and must be successfully completed (8)

Spring Year M1

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 506B Biological Basis of Human Health and Disease B (2)

Fall Year M2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 506A Biological Basis of Human Health and Disease A (2)

Spring Year M2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • GENET 582 Genetics of Model Organisms: Molecular Genetic Analysis of Signaling Pathways (1) or MICRO 581 Immunology A: Basic Concepts in Innate and Adaptive Immunity (1)

At the end of the M2 year, USMLE Step 1 is taken (which replaces the candidacy examination), and students enter their dissertation lab.

Fall Year G1

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 591 Ethics (1)
  • BMS 801 Writing Grant Proposals for Biomedical Research (1)

Program-Specific

  • Colloquium (1)

Spring Year G1

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

MD/PhD-Specific

  • BMS 512 Data Analysis for the Biomedical Lab Scientist (2)

Program-Specific

  • Colloquium (1)

Students take the comprehensive examination at the end of their G1 year.

Fall Year G2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

Fall Year G3

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G3

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

Fall Year G4

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G4

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)