Leon Malmud, M.D., Dean

Richard J. Kozera, M.D., Executive Dean

Laurie Paavola, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, 215-707-3252, 3400 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19140

General Statement

The School of Medicine offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs* in seven basic areas of biomedical science: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology. The major objective of these programs is to provide aspiring scholars with the training and fundamental skills necessary to meet the needs of academic, governmental, and industrial organizations; in short, to train students as teachers and independent scientific investigators.

A graduate program at Temple University leading to an advanced degree in the biomedical sciences is a scholarly endeavor requiring originality and creativity. As such, it challenges students to think and express themselves independently. Required course work is taken mainly during the first two years of study. Subsequent years of study involve additional course work individually tailored to the student's interests. Each student also undertakes an individual research project, seeking out new information in a given field. Because of a high faculty-student ratio, graduate students receive considerable attention and research guidance from the faculty. Seminars by visiting scientists and reviews of current research progress in each department and elsewhere within the School of Medicine, as well as close contact with faculty and their ongoing research, help the student move into an active program of independent study and research.

In addition to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, the School of Medicine offers a combined M.D.-Ph.D. program that is described in a section listed below. The M.D. portion of this program, designed to prepare physicians in a variety of medical fields, is under the direction of the Dean of the Medical School. Students who wish to pursue only the M.D. degree may obtain more information from Audrey Uknis, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Admissions, 215-707-3656.

*The Anatomy, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Pathology, and Pharmacology programs do not currently offer the M.S. degree.

Time, Residency, and Registration Requirements

The time limit for completion of all degree requirements, including any research or thesis project that applies, is three years from the date of matriculation for an M.S. and seven years for the Ph.D.

Registration each fall and spring semester is required to assure steady progress toward completion of the degree, except when a leave of absence has been granted.

To remain in good academic standing, students who will not be able to satisfy the continuous enrollment requirement must obtain a leave of absence from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Students who fail to complete their program requirements within the specified time limit can apply for an extension of time from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

At the thesis or dissertation stage, students must be continuously registered, unless a leave of absence has been granted. Students on a leave of absence must pay $25.00 per term as a records maintenance fee. A leave of absence does not extend the time limit for completion of a degree.

Admission Requirements

• A student must furnish proof that a Bachelor of Science (or other appropriate degree acceptable to the relevant department) has been awarded by an accredited college or university. The individual departments have specific academic requirements in the sciences, mathematics, and foreign languages that must also be met.
• One copy of an official transcript must be provided from every institution attended (including Temple University), as well as official test results from the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and any GRE subject tests which the individual department may require. Applicants should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for all undergraduate work, and should score in the 50th percentile in each section of the GRE general test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). These requirements may be modified in special circumstances.
• At least two letters of reference.
• A non-refundable $40 application fee.

Doctor of Philosophy

Adherence to the requirements of time and course work is necessary but not sufficient to earn the Ph.D. degree. A student, registered in a department, must demonstrate to that department that he or she has a thorough knowledge of the major subject and is prepared to advance knowledge in that subject through laboratory investigation. A student is guided by an advisory committee, which meets with the student periodically to evaluate the student's progress both in course work and research.

After a student has been admitted, credit can be granted toward the Ph.D. for work completed at other institutions. The amount of advanced standing will be determined by the student's department. In no instance shall the total exceed 30 semester hours.

A student must satisfy the foreign language requirements established by the department. In some cases, a computer language may be required in addition to the foreign language.

A student's reading proficiency in a foreign language is ascertained through an examination administered by the relevant language department on the Main Campus.

A student must participate in a scientific integrity program conducted in accordance with federal requirements.

Upon completion, a student is required to defend his or her dissertation. The dissertation defense is administered by a dissertation committee composed of the student's sponsoring committee and at least two other faculty members, one external to the student's department, the other external to the School of Medicine. The defense is an oral examination. At its conclusion, the examining committee members vote on its acceptance.

For further information concerning the final examination and dissertation, consult General Guidelines for Degree Programs.

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