The
Department of Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to excellence in research,
teaching and other scholarly activities, and it fosters interactions and
collaborations among faculty and students in a wide range of disciplines
and departments. The graduate program in Biomedical Sciences currently includes
both Ph.D. and M.S. programs. Many students are supported by training grants
from the National Institutes of Health or funds from special endowments
established to support graduate education in selected areas. Students are
also supported from extramural or intramural research funds or teaching
assistantships. Application for competitive individual fellowships is also
encouraged.
Biomedical Sciences faculty members are internationally recognized researchers in the areas of ion channel and neurotransmitter receptor structure/function, basic aspects of neurotransmission and nervous system disorders, structure of membrane complexes, biological rhythms, vascular biology, developmental neuro- and reproductive biology, regulatory mechanisms controlling male and female reproductive function, reproductive and neuroendocrinology, assisted reproductive technologies, cardiovascular function, transmissible diseases and cancer. Descriptions of current research programs can be found on individual faculty web pages. BMS faculty members are major contributors in three interdisciplinary programs: the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory; the Program in Cell and Molecular Biology; and the Program in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience.
Two types of Masters degree are offered within the department. The MS-A program is a traditional research based program requiring coursework and a research thesis. The MS-B program involves coursework and a comprehensive final examination or a final research paper. Departmental requirements for these degrees are specifically outlined in the Graduate Student Document-Appendix IV of the Department of Biomedical Sciences Code.
The
Ph.D. program typically requires 4 or 5 years after obtaining a B.S. degree.
The first 1-2 years emphasize course work, along with active participation
in one or more research programs. After selection of an advisor, emphasis
is gradually shifted from course work to research, which becomes a full-time
commitment during the latter portion of the doctoral program. To advance
to candidacy, Ph.D. candidates must pass a preliminary examination based
on a research project proposed by the student. The doctoral dissertation
presents the results of sustained research or investigation on an important
intellectual problem. The dissertation must represent independent intellectual
achievement and must make a meaningful contribution to knowledge. Doctoral
research is presented and interpreted in a dissertation, which is defended
in a public forum. In addition to research, each doctoral student is expected
to participate in instruction in a baccalaureate-level course in biomedical
sciences and present lectures in one or more courses. Seminars and a course
in instructional methods are available to aid students in becoming effective
teachers.
The M.S. program typically requires 2 years, with the first year emphasizing course work and the second year research. Although the research program for a M.S. student is less comprehensive than that for a Ph.D. student, each M.S. student completes a meaningful research project, presents his/her research in a M.S. thesis, and defends the thesis in public. The Department also offers a coursework-only MS-B degree in the disciplines of Biomedical Sciences and Neurobiology.
Both
Ph.D. and M.S. programs are flexible in content and consist of several core
courses and a wide variety of specialized courses, selected by each student,
inconsultation with his/her Advisor and Advisory Committee, to best enable
attainment of his/her educational goals. Graduate students participate in
seminars, tutorials, small group discussions and classroom teaching. The
flexible and interdisciplinary nature of course work and research programs,
especially blended for each individual, has been enthusiastically supported
by students.
There are a number of important resources within the department to which qualified students have access, including scanning confocal microscopes and transmission and electron microscopes. The University supports a number of instrumentation cores, including the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility to facilitate state-of-the-art research.
The
Department sponsors numerous scientific and social activities that enhance
the graduate experience. Graduate students participate in the activities
of the Graduate Student Association (GSA). The GSA takes an active role
in organizing and participating in the annual Biomedical
Sciences Research Retreat.
The Graduate School Office website contains information about other programs on campus, as well as an online application form for the Graduate School.
For
more information, contact:
Erin Bisenius, Graduate
Education Coordinator
Biomedical Sciences Department, 246 Physiology Bldg.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1680
970-491-6188
