Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program Description

The Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences maintains a dynamic program that emphasizes biomedical research in heart disease, neurological disease, environmental health and cancer. Two federally-funded research centers within the Department, the Center for Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS) and the Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience (CSFN) provide unique opportunities for graduate study and research with nationally competitive investigators.

The department has cooperative research and training programs with the Rocky Mountain National Laboratories of the NIH, The International Heart Institute of Montana, the Montana Neuroscience Institute and the Montana Cancer Institute. Students work closely with faculty both in the classroom and in the laboratory. The program is interdisciplinary, and students have the opportunity to interact and work with faculty from other campus departments and programs. The Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences currently is ranked 4th nationally in NIH funding per Ph.D. faculty member in the schools of pharmacy.

Degree programs provide training in pharmacology, toxicology, neurobiology, neurochemistry, medicinal chemistry, immunology and molecular genetics. Ph.D. degree training consists of two years of course work and two years of research leading to the completion and defense of a Ph.D. dissertation. The M.S. degree requires two years of course work and the completion of a research thesis. Graduates are well prepared for research careers in academia, government and industry.

Degrees Offered

Requirements

Completion of at least 30 semester credits, research thesis and thesis defense.

Ph.D. Neuroscience
Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D. Toxicology
Ph.D. Medicinal Chemistry

Requirements

Completion of at least 60 semester credits, comprehensive exam, dissertation and dissertation defense.

Admissions

1. Application Materials and Deadline

•  Fall - Priority will be given to complete application packets received by January 15. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.

• Medicinal Chemistry program application deadline March 1.

Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences also requires:

• A statement of purpose of your background and goals.

2. Program Requirements for Admission

Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Students with undergraduate education in the biological, biomedical and chemical sciences are encouraged to apply for admission to the graduate programs in neuroscience, pharmaceutical sciences and toxicology.
• Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Program Admissions Committee, with final approval by the Graduate School. Admission is contingent upon availability of space, faculty and financial resources.
• A minimum undergraduate or master's GPA of 3.0.
• Satisfactory scores on a recent GRE (not more than 3 years old). A student may petition the department to accept verifiable GRE scores more than 3 years old.
• An interview may be required.

Medicinal Chemistry

• Students with undergraduate education in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, math, biochemistry, computer science, or a related field are encouraged to apply for admission to the graduate programs in medicinal chemistry.
• Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Program Admissions Committee, with final approval by the Graduate School. Admission is contingent upon availability of space, faculty and financial resources.
• A minimum undergraduate or master's GPA of 3.0.
• Satisfactory scores on a recent GRE (not more than 3 years old). A student may petition the department to accept verifiable GRE scores more than 3 years old.
• 33% or greater on a recent GRE Subject exam in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology.
• An interview may be required.

3. Assistantship Application

Graduate assistantships are available through the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Assistantships are granted on a competitive basis when students are admitted to the program.

4. International Students

• See information in the International Admission section on this web site.

 Financial Assistance

Teaching and research assistantships and summer employment opportunities are available to highly qualified applicants. Tuition fee waivers are granted to most students. Current stipends for the calendar year are $14,400 for M.S. students and $20,000 for Ph.D. students. Teaching and research assistants are required to register for at least 9 credits each semester.

 For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.

 
 
Department website

Campus Location
Skaggs Building 395

Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
32 Campus Drive #1512
Missoula, MT 59812-1512

(406) 243-4621
Fax: (406) 243-4209
bmed@umontana.edu
 

Graduate Program Coordinator
Callyn Casady
Skaggs Building 340

Program information last updated 9/12