Degree Requirements

Required Course Work

Students will matriculate into the first year interdisciplinary core curriculum for the Ph.D. Program in Basic Medical Sciences without needing to choose an advanced program prior to entry. In year one, students complete IDL 576, IDL 577, IDL 580, IDL 581, GIS 501, and three research rotations. The purpose of rotations is to acquaint the students with various research problems under investigation and aid in the selection of a major professor in their area of specialization.

By the end of the first year, each student selects a major professor and research track. Advanced curricula are determined by the student’s chosen track, in conjunction with advising from their major professor and dissertation committee. Advanced curricula must include a minimum of 8 credit hours from 500 level and above courses with the following course prefixes: IDL, BCH, CBN, MIC, PHA, and PHS.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements set by the Graduate School, the following requirements must be completed for the Ph.D. degree in the Basic Medical Sciences: completion of the core and advanced curricula, a minimum overall 3.0 grade-point average on all work attempted for credit, qualifying examination, a completed dissertation approved by the student's major professor and a majority of the Dissertation Committee, and closed and open defenses of the research presented in the dissertation.

All requirements for the Ph.D. degree should normally be completed within four to five years from the date of matriculation, and must be completed within seven years. A student who has not satisfactorily completed a dissertation in a seven-year period must apply for a defined extension to complete the degree.

Detailed information on program requirements and expectations can be found in the Basic Medical Sciences Student Handbook (https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/com/doctoral-program/resources/bms-handbook.pdf). Additional information can also be obtained by contacting the Associate Director of the Office of Research Education and Training, the Office of Research Education and Training Co-directors, or the individual Track Coordinators. (Contact information can be found on Department Information).