Quick Program Facts
Degree Programs: PhD, MS, Certificate
Application Deadline: December 1
The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) is an integrated and interdepartmental program leading to the MS or PhD degrees. The program provides students with a broad-based, one-year core curriculum followed by focused coursework and thesis/dissertation research. Research is conducted in faculty laboratories in the various basic science and clinical departments within the School of Medicine and College of Pharmacy. Departments include:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
- Cell Biology and Physiology,
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
- Neurosciences,
- Pathology,
- Internal Medicine (Divisions of Molecular Medicine and Gastroenterology), and
- Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
In addition to our School of Medicine faculty, affiliated faculty in the College of Nursing, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories, and the Department of Veterans Affairs may direct graduate student research in the BSGP.
The Certificate Program in University Science Teaching (CUST) is one of a handful of programs in the country that offers biomedical scientists formal training in education and teaching. This article highlights the value and popularity of teaching certificate programs nationwide.
First-year curriculum:
- Fundamentals for Graduate Research
- Advanced Molecular Biology
- Advanced Cellular Biology
- Experimental Design and Methods in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
- Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease (CMBD) Journal Club
- Cell and Molecular Basis of Disease (CMBD) Seminar
- At least three basic science electives totaling 9 credits
- At least three lab rotations at 150 hours per rotation
Students may choose to enroll in any of the following optional concentrations:
- cancer biology,
- cardiovascular physiology,
- infectious disease and immunology,
- medical imaging,
- neuroscience,
- pharmaceutical sciences, or
- professional science and technology management.
Students will choose from over 100 research laboratories representing six research divisions:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology and Physiology
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
- Neurosciences
- Pathology
- Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Internal Medicine Division of Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine Division of Molecular Medicine
Additionally, the UNM Health Sciences Center has six Signature Research Programs:
MS (per course credit)
PhD
Financial support packages are provided by the BSGP to incoming PhD students during the first academic year of the program. At the end of the first academic year, beginning June 1, PhD students are funded by their dissertation advisor, training grants, and/or the advisor’s department.
This financial support package includes:
- annual stipend;
- full tuition support, excluding some mandatory student fees; and
- student health insurance.
Many interdepartmental and multidisciplinary research opportunities are represented in research centers and training programs at UNM, including Initiative to Maximize Student Development (IMSD), Infectious Disease and Inflammation Program (IDIP), Alcohol Research Training Program in Neurosciences, and Cardiovascular Research Training Program (CRTP).
The University of New Mexico BSGP Employment Outcomes
- Research University Faculty or Scientists: 30%
- Industry/Government Scientist: 23%
- Physicians and Lawyers: 9%
- Undergraduate Teaching Institution Faculty: 4%
- Non-Science: 4%
Program Contact: SOMREO@salud.unm.edu
Program Director: Laura Gonzalez Bosc, PhD; LGonzalezBosc@salud.unm.edu