university of utah bioscience phd program

School of Biological Sciences

Graduate students, biology graduate programs.

The School of Biological Sciences comprises research groups that span the broad spectrum of the life sciences. Reflecting this diversity, graduate training is provided through two focused graduate programs. Each program features its own research emphases, journal clubs, and requirements for advanced degrees. Multiple faculty members participate in more than one graduate program.

Many of our faculty members also participate in the interdepartmental programs in Molecular Biology , Biological Chemistry , and Neuroscience . These programs have their own admissions processes that are independent from the School of Biological Sciences. Please see the websites of these programs for details about their specific admissions requirements and application processes.

Message from the Graduate Program Director

Our school provides an inclusive environment for you to purse your passion for science. Our faculty comprises nearly 50 members whose research interests are diverse, and who serve as mentors for ~90 graduate students from around the world. Complementing outstanding faculty, staff and facilities, the school’s graduate program is highly interactive.

In performing your graduate studies in the program, you will be exposed to a wide range of biological investigation, from molecular structures and cells, to genetics, to organisms and ecosystems and their interactions. The school’s collegial environment, with many opportunities for interactions among research groups, has been a long-standing strength, and continues to be so today. Graduate school is a time to make lifelong friendships and connections as you grow as a scientist and mature as a person. It is a challenging and exciting time, one filled with opportunities to make new discoveries as you acquire important skills and disciplined logical thinking that will serve you for the rest of your career. Pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree can be a life changing and rewarding experience. Our lives were shaped and enriched by our times in graduate school, and we hope that your time in the School of Biological Sciences will be similarly influential in your life.

We wish you the best for your scientific explorations as you move through your graduate studies!

Kent Golic Graduate Program Director

Frederick Adler SBS Director

Graduate Student Coordinator

SBS Graduate Students are encouraged to meet early and often with the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Shannon Nielsen

(she/her/hers)

[email protected]

(801) 581-5636

South Biology Building

257 South 1400 East, Rm. 223

Rotation Advisor for MCEB Students

Michael werner.

Assistant Professor

(801) 585-0471

Graduate Student Research Programs

Reflecting research diversity at the School, graduate training is provided through two focused graduate programs. Each features its own research emphases, journal clubs, and requirements for advanced degrees. Multiple faculty members participate in more than one graduate research program.

Molecular, Cellular & Evolutionary Biology Program

Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Program

Research at SBS

Dedicated to All Axes of Diversity

The  Diversity Fellows Program is an on-site, one-day workshop for students with a strong interest in research in all areas of biology who wish to enter graduate school within the next 1-3 years.

2023 Applications will be available Fall Semester

Graduate Diversity Office

Inclusiveness of students from communities underrepresented in higher education, particularly racial and ethnic communities, creates a better academic environment for all students and is a goal we are committed to reaching.

Graduate School Diversity Office 

Graduate Forms & Policies

• EEOB Capstone Exam
• MCEB Capstone Exam
• Biology Dismissal Policy
• Parental Leave Policy
• EEOB Qualifying Exam
• MCEB Qualifying Exam
• BGS Developmental Plan Form
• Graduate Research Publications Form

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Apply to a leading research institution, the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah.

Bioscience PhD Programs

Main navigation, first-year students.

All PhD students admitted to the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program who remain in good academic standing will  receive financial support including a fellowship / living stipend ( $37,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year ), tuition waiver through the Tuition Benefit Program, and health insurance throughout their graduate training.

Calendar and Schedules

Health insurance information, bioscience program resources, other offices at the university of utah, icon calendar and schedules, fall 2024 classes.

Spring 2025 Classes

Academic Calendar 2024-2025 | Curriculum Page

Fall 2024 Lab Rotations

Spring 2025 Lab Rotation

2024-2025 Lab Rotation Schedule   |  Succeeding in Lab Rotations  

icon Health Insurance Information

2024-25 providers, check out the graduate website for additional details, for specific benefits inquiries, please contact the individual insurance providers, health insurance.

U of U Student Health Insurance Plan

Provider United Healthcare

https://studenthealth.utah.edu/

https://www.uhcsr.com/

https://myaccount.uhcsr.com/login

https://www.uhcsr.com/news-main

https://www.uhcsr.com/faqs

Coverage is from 8/16/24 - 8/15/25

2024-25 Studnet Insurance Plan.pdf *coming soon

We are encouraging students to take advantage of the Virtual Visit* capability, available through the HealthiestYou mobile app, or for more information through your https://myaccount.uhcsr.com/login

HealthiestYou FAQ

Emotional-Support Help Line with Student Health Insurance

Optum is opening its Emotional-Support Help Line, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to support people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress. Optum’s toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. 

Dental/Vision

U of U Student Dental/Vision Insurance Plan

Provider EMI Health

https://emihealth.com/groupplans/refid/uvoluntary

EMI Login Information

2024-25 Student Dental/Vision Plan.pdf *coming soon

icon Bioscience Program Resources

Program resources.

• Student Support & Resources
• Living in Utah
• Program News and Events

Bioscience PhD Program Policies and Requirements

• Biological Chemistry Requirements
• Molecular Biology Requirements
• Academic Standards, Honor Code & Scientific Ethics

icon Links to other University of Utah Offices

Admissions office, transcript & verification division office, office of the registrar, the graduate school.

• International Student & Scholar Services

Tuition Benefit Program

• Traineeship Information

U of U Tax Services

Income Accounting

Financial wellness center, international teaching assistant (ita) clearance, commuter services.

• Campus IT Resources

Center for Disability & Access

University counseling center, student housing & residential, the learning center.

The Office of Admissions handles matriculation of incoming students.

250S Student Services Building

Phone: 801-581-8761

http://admissions.utah.edu/

International Admissions:

Toll-Free: (800) 685-8856

https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/  

International Admissions office will assist with I-20 and other documentation needed for transition. Visit their website for additional information and instructions.

https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/i-20-information/  

International students will also need to provide International Admissions with marksheets and/or transcripts, and/or diploma

The Transcript & Verification Division Office can provide a variety of letters to verify student information.  Frequently student loan deferments require verification of enrollment status.

Verification Office

The Office of the Registrar handles Grades, Enrollments, Change of Graduate Classification, Leave of Absence, etc.

801-581-5808

http://registrar.utah.edu/

To register for classes, navigate to the University of Utah’s main webpage ( www.utah.edu ).

• Click on the “ cis ” icon in the bottom right corner of the page.
• If you are logging in for the first time your pin number is the month , day and year of your birth (e.g. 021668 ).

Manages all resources and policies regarding graduate education at the Univerisity of Utah

http://gradschool.utah.edu/

801-581-7642

Requirements for Doctoral Degrees can be found here:

http://gradschool.utah.edu/graduate-catalog/degree-requirements/

International Student & Scholar Services Office

Our International Student & Scholar Services office will assist international students with work permit letters to be provided to the Social Security Administration Office. They will also continue to assist with Visa status, Leave of Absence, summer and vacations semesters, etc.

Bldg. 53, Rm 410, 801-581-8876

How to Obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) 

Graduate students in the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program receive Graduate Traineeship (TR) waived tuition benefits from the Tuition Benefit Program.  Students are required to remain eligible for this tuition waiver including full-time, matriculated status in good standing and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Please see the link for additional information.

The Tuition Benefit Program periodically sends emails to students with links that need to be followed to approve the Graduate Traineeship (TR) tuition waiver.

Traineeship Information

Traineeship stipend payments are directly deposited via Accounts Payable in monthly increments into a U.S. bank account. Deposits are typically on the 1st business day or first Monday of the month.

International Students - Please note that stipends will not be disbursed until you have a US bank account and you have completed the U of U Tax Services GLACIER process.

 Park Building, Room 411

Scholarship/Fellowship Awardees will not receive a W2 or other tax forms. Stipends are reported as income and should be reported on taxes.

Foreign individuals receiving a scholarship/fellowship need to complete the online software GLACIER and/or meet with Tax Services/Payroll Accounting to determine their tax status.

• Social Security Card

International students will need to wait until they receive a tax document (1042S form) from the Tax Services office for income, likely mailed out at the end of February.

Income Accounting has information about tuition bill information including record and registration holds.

801-581-7344

http://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/

Providing education, guidance, and counseling in all matters of personal finance including taxes.

801-585-7379

http://www.asuupmmc.utah.edu/

Students should get an “@utah.edu” e-mail account on the UofU web site through the CIS student portal. Visit “utah.edu” and follow the CIS link to complete this information.

* Please note: The Program Office as well as the University of Utah faculty and staff will be sending all official emails through your @utah.edu account.

Link to Umail

UCard Office

Graduate students should go to the “U” Card Office and get a student ID. Ask for a card with “Prox access” or a card reader for building security

• Hospital (Rm ACC LL2 B016)
• Student Union (Rm 158)

*Please note: Student ID cards and their associated benefits (e.g. public transit) will not be activated until the first day of classes.

All graduate students are required to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for one semester after the first year. Thus, the Bioscience PhD Program requires International Students to participate in the ITA Clearance workshop.

https://www.utah.edu/ita

Check University email regularly, including junk mail, to receive ITA Clearance communications.

311 South Fort Douglas Boulevard 

801-581-6415

Visit the Commuter Services website for information regarding free shuttles, parking permits, and parking locations:

https://commuterservices.utah.edu/index.php

Campus Map: http://map.utah.edu

Free Campus Shuttle:  https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/

The Disability Center approves and provides reasonable accomodations for students and strive to create an inclusive, safe and respectful environment.

https://disability.utah.edu/

Students who would like to start the process to request accommodations and become registered with CDA should call 801-581-5020 to set up an intake appointment.

Provides developmental, preventive and therapeutic services and programs that promote the intellectual, emotional, cultural, and social development of University of Utah students.

801-581-6826

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

http://counselingcenter.utah.edu/

Student Health Center

Student Health Services 555 Foothill Drive Level 1, Bldg. 685

801-581-6431

http://studenthealth.utah.edu/

 If you are on Student Health Insurance, you will have to work with the Student Health Center for preapproval and scheduling for all medical care.

All students must provide proof of immunizations

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella).
• Some international students will also be screened for TB (Tuberculosis).
• Visit the Student Health Services to show proof of tests or to get vaccinated.
• More information about the Proof of Immunity requiremens can be found here: http://gradschool.utah.edu/graduate-catalog/proof-of-immunity/

Housing Options for Graduate Students

• https://www.offcampushousing.utah.edu/listing
• https://apartments.utah.edu/housing-options/index.php  
• https://apartments.utah.edu/housing-options/new-housing/
• https://housingoptions.utah.edu/graduate-housing/

The Learning Center strives to empower University of Utah students to succeed in their college career and beyond

https://learningcenter.utah.edu/

Free writing tutoring available for all University of Utah students from the first college level paper through dissertation and publication. See the Writing Center website for more information.

Graduate Program Overview & How to Apply

The Department of Human Genetics offers graduate education in modern molecular genetics.  Ph.D. candidates enter the Department through one of the campus-wide programs: the Molecular Biology Program , the Biological Chemistry Program or the Neurosciences Graduate Program .  Each of these programs involves an initial year of core classes and the opportunity to perform short research projects in departments throughout the University of Utah, including Human Genetics, before joining a laboratory to initiate a thesis research project.  For information about admission, please contact each program directly.

Research opportunities within Human Genetics include a wide range of labs pursuing genetic studies in humans as well as in model organisms, including zebrafish, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice.  Human Genetics faculty and students collaborate actively with medical faculty in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and the Division of Medical Genetics.

Ph.D. candidates pursue 4-5 years of independent research and also must fulfill additional course and teaching requirements .  Courses include a human genetics survey, bioinformatics, medical genetics, advanced population genetics, developmental biology, gene mapping and linkage analysis, and independent study programs. Our students participate in Department-wide Genetics Journal Club and Research-in-Progress meetings, which provide community forums for discussing the latest published research in areas of interest as well as current projects underway in Department labs.

School of Biological Sciences

Prospective students & faculty, why biology at utah.

Even in this age of specialization, many of the most exciting discoveries occur at the boundaries between traditional fields of research. We believe that the best path to these discoveries is to encourage regular interactions with colleagues outside your own expertise to spark collaboration. Despite its large size and diversity, the School of Biological Sciences functions as a single entity. 

Whether you’re a transfer student, a first-generation college student, a graduate student, or postdoctoral fellow looking for that perfect classroom or research experience with a mentor, the School of Biological Sciences wants to hear from you. 

Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

High School Students

SOME REASONS TO STUDY BIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

50  world class labs, 4-year resident degree $39,264, ranked #13 best biology 2022, us news & world report, public universities.

Top 50 in all science disciplines

Visit us for a Campus Tour

Schedule Now

Diversity Fellows Program

The School of Biological Sciences is dedicated to all axes of diversity in our students. The Diversity Fellows Program is an on-site, one-day workshop for students with a strong interest in research in all areas of biology who wish to enter graduate school within the next 1-3 years.

Diversity Fellows

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

ACCESS Scholarship & First Year Experience

A signature program of the College of Science, ACCESS provides freshmen and transfer students, from a variety of backgrounds, with a scholarship and a supportive path into STEM degrees and careers. All students who are committed to advancing gender equity in science and engineering are encouraged to apply.

Salt Lake City and The U

You're going to college to learn and explore. The University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, a diverse, energetic place that is also safe and clean. Salt Lake is on Greatist.com's list  of " 20 BEST CITIES FOR 20 SOMETHINGS ." It's a young town, with great food, live music, shops, and hangouts. Want to know more about your future hometown? 

BONUS : With your student ID you can go anywhere in the valley for free by bus or rail.

Utah Recreation

Explore salt lake city, state of the arts.

Apply to a leading research institution, the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. Undergraduates     Graduate Students

The Graduate School

Office of graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, main navigation, ph.d. degree requirements.

Ph.D. Degree   •   Supervisory Committee   •  Program of Study   •  Residency Enrollment   •  Approval of Program of Study   •  Qualifying Examination   •  Registration   •  Language Requirements   •  Dissertation   •  Final Examination   •  Time Limit   •  Exceptions

• The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for high achievement in an advanced specialized field of study. It requires competence in independent research and an understanding of related subjects.
• The degree is not awarded simply for the fulfillment of residence requirements and the accumulation of credits.
• The committee chair and the majority of the committee must be tenure-line faculty in the student’s department.
• The outside member is normally from another University of Utah department.
• The dean of The Graduate School may approve requests to appoint a committee member from another university where appropriate justification and supporting documentation is provided.
• approving the student’s academic program,
• preparing and judging the qualifying examinations (unless delegated to a departmental examination committee),
• approving the dissertation subject and final dissertation,
• and administering and judging the final oral examination (dissertation defense).
• Some departments require more, check department’s handbook.
• More time may be required.
• In truly exceptional cases, a shorter period of time in graduate work may be approved by the dean of The Graduate School. 
• If a supervisory committee finds a graduate student’s preliminary work deficient, the student may be required to register for and complete supplementary courses that do not carry graduate credit.
• This form, which lists course work and research hours, is due one semester before graduation in order for the graduate coordinator to enter that information online in a timely manner.
• Faculty Consultation, course number 7980, does not count toward dissertation hours or the fulfillment of degree requirements, and should not be listed on the program of study.
• Courses taken through alternative delivery methods (e.g., via EDNET or the Internet) are approved on a programmatic basis through the Graduate Council.
• When a student proceeds directly from a master’s degree to a Ph.D. degree with no break in the program of study (except for authorized leaves of absence), the residency requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the course of study.
• Three hours of Thesis Research: Ph.D. (course number 7970) is also considered a full load after the residency requirement is fulfilled.
• The Graduate Council may approve departmental or programmatic exceptions to the minimum residency requirements and proposals for new programs or academic offerings using distance-learning technologies and/or off-campus sites, as provided by Graduate School policy.
• *Does not refer to or fulfill State Residency Requirements
• One semester prior to graduation, graduate students are required to meet with their graduate advisor to check that they have met all the requirements for their degree.
• Once enrolled in all required coursework, the graduate advisor will move coursework from the graduate student's transcript to their program of study in the Graduate Student Summary .
• They verify the graduate student has met all degree requirements then approve the program of study with their electronic signature.  
• After all approvals have been submitted, the graduate student's program of study will show as complete in the Program Plan Audit page of the Graduate Student Summary .
• The nature and format of these examinations are established by individual departments subject to approval by the Graduate Council.
• An examination or parts of an examination may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the student’s supervisory committee .
• A department has the option of appointing a departmental examination committee that administers the qualifying examinations and ensures that examinations are properly prepared and evaluated.
• Once a graduate student has passed their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam this advances them to candidacy.
• The candidate must complete at least 14 hours of Thesis Research (course number 7970, Thesis Research: Ph.D.).
• The candidate must also be regularly enrolled at the University and registered for at least one course during the semester in which the final oral examination (dissertation defense) is taken.
• For details, see Minimum Continuous Registration as well as departmental and program requirements.
• The degree of proficiency in foreign language(s) required of candidates is determined by the policy of the academic departments.
• In some instances, language proficiency may be verified by individual departments if appropriate procedures have been approved in advance by the dean of The Graduate School.
• In most cases, however, fulfillment of the language requirements must be verified by the Department of World Languages & Cultures.
• The Language Verification form for certification is available in the Department of World Languages & Cultures .
• The candidate must submit a dissertation embodying the results of scientific or scholarly research or artistic creativity.
• The dissertation must provide evidence of originality and the ability to do independent investigation and it must contribute to knowledge or the creative arts.
• The style and format are determined by departmental policy and registered with the thesis and dissertation editor, who approves individual dissertations in accordance with departmental and Graduate School policy.
• At least three weeks before the final oral examination (dissertation defense), the student should submit an acceptable draft of the dissertation to the chair of the supervisory committee ; committee members should receive copies at least two weeks before the examination date.
• The entire dissertation is submitted to UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, and copies are made available for public sale.
• The abstract only is published if the entire dissertation has been previously published and distributed, exclusive of vanity publishing. The doctoral candidate may elect to microfilm the entire previously published work.
• Regardless of the option used for meeting the publication requirement, an abstract of each dissertation is published in UMI Dissertation Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning, Dissertation Abstracts International.
• Detailed policies and procedures concerning publication requirements, use of restricted data, and other matters pertaining to the preparation and acceptance of the dissertation are contained in A Handbook for Theses and Dissertations .
• The student must pass a final oral examination before graduation.
• The examination must follow the receipt of the dissertation by the supervisory committee .
• The committee schedules and announces a public oral examination at which the candidate must defend the dissertation.
• This final oral examination may be chaired by any member of the supervisory committee consistent with departmental policy.
• The time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is determined by individual departmental policy approved by the Graduate Council.
• Requests to exceed established time limits must be recommended by a candidate’s supervisory committee and approved by the departmental director of graduate studies and the dean of the Graduate School.
• Students whose studies have been interrupted for long periods of time and who have been granted extended time to complete their degrees may be required to complete additional courses, to pass examinations, or otherwise to demonstrate that they are current in their field. (PPM 6-203 III.B).
• Most departments require a seven year time limit for their PhD students.
• Petition for an extension of a Graduate student career
• Individual student exceptions to these general requirements for the Ph.D. must be approved by the dean of The Graduate School upon the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee and director of graduate studies or department chair.
• Each program requires a distinct, complete set of courses. Course work used to meet the requirements of one program may not be used to meet the requirements of another.

Professional Science Masters (PSM)

Graduate school, main navigation.

Professional Masters in

Biotechnology

Are you looking to grow as a professional? Do you want to improve your communication, leadership, and collaboration skills? Biotechnology is a fast-growing field that spans diverse emerging and established industries. It opens job opportunities that range from healthcare to government agencies. This degree focuses on biochemical, genetic, and molecular aspects of biotechnology. They are the key to the industry's future.

PSM Admissions

Transferrable Business Skills

(12 credits)

Advanced Quantitative Skills

(6 Credits)

Biotechnology Courses

(15 Credits)

Professional Experience Project

(3 Credits)

36 credits & a GPA Higher than 3.0

In graduate school, 9 credits and up is full-time. Full-time students can complete the program in 2 years. Part-time students take 2.5 to 4 years to complete the program.

Transferrable Skills Courses

Expect to take these courses with a cohort of peers from across the different PSM degree tracks.

You may need permission codes to register for classes taught by other departments. Contact advisors in those departments to get those codes. You can find a list of these courses on the PSM canvas course under Module 3: Program of Study.

Professional Development for Scientists & Engineers

MST 6200 - 3 Credits - Fall

Operations & Project Management for Scientists & Engineers

MST 6210 - 3 Credits - Spring

Scientific Reasoning & Inquiry

MST 6500 - 3 Credits - Spring

Business Development for Scientist & Engineers

MST 6110 - 3 Credits - Summer

Applied Statistical Techniques

MST 6600 - 3 Credits - Fall

Core Requirements

Graduate students are required to take courses in the following fields:

Bioanalytical Chemistry

CHEM 6740 - 2 Credits - Fall

Cell Structure Function

BIOL 5210 - 3 Credits - Spring

Human Genetics

Basic immunology.

PATH 5030/7330 - 3 Credits - Fall

Focus Area Electives

Students can choose courses from the following areas based on professional goals:

Anatomy (ANAT)

Fundamentals in cellular & molecular neuroscience.

ANAT 6400 - Fall

Stem Cell Workshop

ANAT 7760 - Spring

Biochemistry (BIO C)

Biophysical methods.

BIO C 6420 - Fall

Structural Methods

BIO C 6430 - Fall

Regulation of Metabolism

BIO C 6600/BIO C 6601 - Fall

Biology (BIOL)

Gene expression.

BIOL 5120 - Spring

BIOL 5210 - Spring

Advanced Genetics

BIOL 6140 - Fall

Advanced Statistical Modeling for Biologists

BIOL 6500 - Spring

Biological Chemistry (BLCHM)

Biological chemistry foundations.

BLCHM 6500 - Fall

Biomedical Engineering (BME/BMI)

Regulatory affairs i.

BME 5110 - Fall

Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology

BME 5306 - Fall

Genomic Signal Processing

BME 6770 - Spring

Systems Modeling

BMI 6103 - Spring

Standards in Biomedical Informatics

BMI 6120 - Spring

Chemistry (CHEM)

Chemical biology of proteins and nucleic acids.

CHEM 5430/7430 - Fall

CHEM 6740 - Fall

Polymers: Chemistry

CHEM 7300/5300/5050 - Spring

Biophysical Chemistry

CHEM 7450/6450 - Fall

Protein Chemistry

CHEM 7460/5460 - Fall

Nucleic Acid Chemistry

CHEM 7470/5470 - Spring

Mass Spectrometry

CHEM 7725 - Fall

Analytical Spectroscopy

CHEM 7770 - Fall

Lab on a Chip

CHEM 7790 - Spring

Human Genetics (H GEN)

Applied computational genomics.

H GEN 6060 - Spring

H GEN 6500  - Fall

Biochemical Genetics

H GEN 7380/PATH 7380 - Fall

Communications (COMM)

Environmental communication.

COMM 6360/5360 - Fall

Science & Risk Communication

COMM 7260 - Fall

Educational Leadership & Policy (ELP)

Evidence based decision making.

ELP 6010 - Fall

Entrepreneurship (ENTP)

Venture trends.

ENTP 6820 - Spring

Information Systems (IS)

Database theory & design.

IS 6420 - Spring

Students need to contact an academic advisor to request permission codes for these courses

Molecular biology (mbiol), foundations of molecular biology.

MBIOL 6500 - Fall

Management (MGT)

Managerial negotiation.

MGT 6500 - Spring

International Management

MGT 6790 - Spring

Master of Science and Technology (MST)

Business development.

MST 6110 - Summer

Professional Development

MST 6200 - Fall

Operations and Project Management

MST 6210 - Spring

Scientific Reasoning

MST 6500 - Spring

MST 6600 - Fall

Project Planning

MST 6974 - Fall/Spring

Professional Project

MST 6975 - Fall/Spring

Material Science & Engineering (MSE)

Nanoscale probing & imaging.

MSE 6075 - Fall

Mechnical Engineering (ME EN)

Systems engineering.

ME EN 6960 - Spring

Oncological Sciences (ONCSC)

Clinical & molecular cancer biology.

ONCSC 6500 - Fall

Operations & Supply Chain (OSC)

Data analysis & decision making i.

OSC 6040 - Fall

Six Sigma for Managers

OSC 6425 - Spring

Project Management

OSC 6660 - All Terms

Pathology (PATH)

PATH 5030/7330 - Fall

Principles & Applications in Molecular Diagnostics

PATH 5535 - Spring

Immunity, Inflammation, & Infectious Disease

PATH 6500 - Fall

Pathophysiology of Disease for Laboratory Medicine

PATH 6750 - Fall

Techniques of Biochemical Analysis in Laboratory Medicine

PATH 6900 - Spring

Public Health (PBHLT)

Biostatistics i.

PBHLT 6100 - Spring

R Programming for Health Research

PBHLT 6102 - Summer

Med Basics PH Profess

PATH 6625 - Summer

Pharmacy (PHARM)

Therapeutics discovery, development, & evaluation.

PHARM 6500 - Fall

Biomedical Engineering (PHCEU/BME)

Biomaterials.

PHCEU 6020/BME 6302 - Spring

Molecular Biology

PHCEU 7010 - Fall

Macromolecular Therapeutics & Drug Delivery

PHCEU 7030 - Fall

Nanomedicine

PHCEU 7230/ BME 6405 - Fall

Statistics (STAT)

Survey of statistical computer packages.

STAT 6003 - Fall

Strategy (STRAT)

Business law.

STRAT 6310 - Fall

Business Turnarounds

STRAT 6750 - Spring & Fall

Profiles of Leadership

STRAT 6760/5750 - Spring & Fall

Course availability is subject to change. Substitute classes are available, upon approval. Courses may have prerequisites. Students are responsible for confirming they meet course requirements and prerequisites. These courses are in the General Catalog .

This project is a critical component of any PSM program & required for graduation.

It is a hands-on project in a real work environment of business & science.

Professional Experience Project Planning

MST 6974 - 1 Credits - Fall/Spring

MST 6975 - 3 Credits - Fall/Spring

This course teaches business management & development skills.

Students will learn:

• Modern business practices
• How to create and use effective business plans
• To make business forecasts and scenarios
• To be effective managers
• Marketing and sales strategies
• Financial planning and analysis

This course teaches scientists & engineers how to excel in their careers.

This course includes:

• Interactive lectures
• Practical exercises
• Real-world case studies
• Self-assessments
• To improve their professional abilities
• To be better communicators
• How to advance their careers

This is a cohort class for first-year MST students.

This course offers functional skills for & the improvement of organizational processes.

• To manage value creation
• Effective and efficient process design
• Operational design and theory
• To plan and organize functions of management
• To carry out and oversee functions of management

This course teaches scientific reasoning, inquiry, & problem-solving skills. 

Topics covered include:

• Simple and theoretical induction
• Bayesianism
• Statistical and causal hypotheses
• Using scientific information in decision making
• Inference to the best explanation
• Science and the individual
• Science and society

Required of all first-year MST students.

This course teaches exploratory data analysis (EDA) & the R coding language.

• Real-world examples
• Scatter plots
• Probability plots
• Residual plots
• The RStudio platform
• Standard and quantitative data evaluation techniques

No prior knowledge of the R coding language needed and you should bring your laptop.

This course assists with methods and skills needed to complete a professional project.

• Realistic goal setting
• Project initiation
• To define objectives and scope
• To identify and manage risk
• Resource allocation
• To keep track of progress

This course bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Students will be able to apply diverse skills gained from their studies such as:

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Project management
• Collaboration

An overview of the methods of chemical analysis used to characterize biological samples.

Topics include:

• Separations techniques
• Spectroscopy of biological molecules
• Immunological and enzymatic assays
• Surface analytical methods

The course covers advanced topics in cell biology. Its core is reading and discussing research papers that explore the inner workings of modern biology. It probes structure/function relationships in the cell.

It will touch on a variety of topics and techniques:

• Endocytosis and secretion
• Nuclear organization
• The cytoskeleton
• The mitochondria
• Phase separation
• The "omics"

Prerequisites: "C-" or better in BIOL 2020 OR BIOL 2021

H GEN 6500 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course covers topics related to:

• Human genetics
• The mechanisms of gene and cellular regulation
• DNA structure
• Genes and mutations
• Basic cytogenetics
• Population genetics
• Immune genetics
• Risk analysis

Prerequisites: (Genetic Counseling Students OR Instructor's Consent) and Undergraduate Course in Genetics

This is a survey course. It covers the basic principles of Immunology with lectures provided by faculty who work in their areas of the field.

The final third of the course features clinical and experimental topics.

The course is slated for graduate and master students. It is open to particularly interested undergrad students. It is not intended as preparation for Med School due to its programmatic depth. Students should have some exposure to biochemistry, modern genetics, and cell biology. We encourage undergrads to complete BIOL 2020, 2030, and 3510 before taking this course.

ANAT 6400 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

The nervous system is the most complex organ in the body; behavior requires unique cell biology and biochemistry. The goal of this course will be to introduce core cellular and molecular processes in the main brain cell types; neurons and glia. In addition, we will highlight how these processes can go awry in neurological disorders.

• Cellular and molecular composition of the nervous system
• The molecular basis for synaptic transmission – the conversion of electrical activity by chemical synapses.
• How synapses form circuits during development and learning
• How synapses signal to the nucleus to regulate gene expression
• The role of glia (microglia and astrocytes) in brain function.
• Molecular basis of common neurological disorders
• New advanced methods to study the brain – optogenetics, human pluripotent stem cells, organoids

ANAT 7760 - 3 Credits - Spring

The course will begin with a lecture series on the fundamentals of stem cell biology and the use of stem cells, in particular induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), as models for the study of development and disease. Following the lecture series, each student will present a journal article related to a lecture topic, and write the Specific Aims page of a hypothetical grant application based on one of the discussion papers. Lab sessions will provide students with practical hands-on techniques required for reprogramming, culturing, and cryopreserving iPSCs.

BIO C 6420 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

This course will focus on biochemical and biophysical approaches to studying proteins and their functional interactions.

Topics covered will include:

• Protein-ligand interactions, cooperativity and allostery
• Protein folding and design
• Spectroscopic techniques
• Analytical ultracentrifugation
• Calorimetry
• Proteomics approaches
• Protein structure prediction

Prerequisite: MBIOL 6410 or BLCHM 6410 or equivalent.

BIO C 6430 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

This course provides an integrated approach to the applications of X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy in structural biology. Topics covered include basic theory and the application of methods of structure determination.

BIO C 6600/BIO C 6601 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

This half-semester course will begin with a review of carbohydrate and lipid metabolic pathways, with an emphasis on an integrated understanding the pathways and what is known about their regulation. The course will progress to an in-depth analysis of current research in specific areas of nutritional sensing and metabolic regulation.

BIOL 5120 - 3 Credits - Spring

How cells decode the information in their genomes and regulate the processing, localization, and degradation of RNA and proteins. Exploration of the role of gene expression in cell differentiation and disease. Reading from the current research literature. It is recommended that BIOL 2030 is completed prior to taking this course.

The course will address advanced topics in cell biology, probing structure/function relationships in the cell. Among the topics covered are endocytosis and secretion, nuclear organization, they cytoskeleton, the mitochondria and phase separation. We will also touch on cutting edge techniques, ranging from microscopy to 'omics. A central component of the course is reading and discussion of primary research papers, giving an insight into the inner workings of modern biology.

BIOL 6140 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

Advanced Genetics covers the fundamentals of classical genetics and genetic analysis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Classical genetics encompasses the mechanisms of inheritance and the behavior of genes and chromosomes in somatic cells and germ cells. Genetic analysis is a branch of biological investigation that uses mutations and mutant phenotypes to study the function and behavior of cells and groups of cells, in isolation and in a developmental context. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have different modes of inheritance and significant differences in gene regulation and in their cellular biology. Prokaryotes provided the foundational discoveries of molecular biology and continue to be a source of new genetic tools and biological understanding with health and ecological relevance. Modern eukaryotic genetics blends the tools of molecular biology, cell biology and classical genetics to investigate gene and cell function in complex organisms.

BIOL 6500 - 3 Credits - Spring

This course is designed for life science graduate students with a perhaps rusty background in mathematics and statistics who wish to become real practitioners of the art of modern statistics. The course is based on the R programming language.

BLCHM 6500 - 3 Credits - Fall

This half-semester course welcomes students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to the University of Utah’s Biological Chemistry Graduate Program. Our goal is to ensure that all students will have a solid foundation in nucleic acid biochemistry, protein structure and function, and bioorganic and biophysical chemistry as you start your first year of graduate school. Basic content will be provided as pre-work and in-class time will be spent discussing and applying these concepts to data interpretation, problem-solving, and the primary literature.

BME 5110 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course is designed to help students succeed in the biomedical industry by providing students with a solid understanding of current government regulations and how to apply them. This course places special emphasis on US medical device regulations. The course stresses the practical, hands-on, project-based learning by analysis of real-world case studies, preparation of actual regulatory submissions, and communication with industry professionals. This is a stand-alone course and does not require continuation in Regulatory Affairs II - Drugs, Biologics, and Combination Products.

BME 5306 - 3 Credits - Fall

Cells have a remarkable ability to continuously sense, integrate, and store relevant physiological and biological information throughout their lives. They integrate many signals that surround them, and execute complex cellular behaviors based on these inputs. These attributes can be harnessed and manipulated using synthetic biology to tightly control gene expression in dynamic patterns, in addition to programming cells to sense, respond, and record changes in their microenvironment. Altogether, approaches in synthetic biology can be used to reprogram cells in rational and systematic ways to produce predictable and robust cellular behavior for many biotechnology applications. This new course will introduce advanced undergraduate and graduate students to the principles of genetic engineering, synthetic biology and the design of biological machines. We will discuss parts, devices and systems in DNA assembly for genetic engineering and synthetic biology applications. Students will learn about network structure, pathway engineering, and ultimately understand how synthetic networks can be simulated, built, and tested in a real organism. Specific topics will include various ways to control gene expression in biological systems, and examples will be discussed to demonstrate how intracellular components interact to give the observed biological behavior. Specifically, we will discuss engineering cellular Boolean logic gates, biosensors, endowing cells with memory, switches, oscillators, noise in cellular systems, feedback, and computational modeling of cellular networks.

BME 6770 - 3 Credits - Spring

In this course, for graduate and advanced undergraduate students from the Colleges of Engineering, Sciences and Pharmacy and the School of Medicine, we will discuss:

• Technologies for high-throughout acquisition of molecular biological data on genomic and proteomic scales, such as DNA and protein arrays
• Databases and large-scale datasets generated by national and international consortia as well as individual research groups using these technologies
• Mathematical analysis and modeling of these data using ideas from signal processing, numerical computation and information systems
• Biological and medical predictions made by these analyses and models, their experimental tests and their applications toward better understanding of basic biology as well as improved medical diagnosis treatment and drug design.

BMI 6103 - 2 Credits - Spring

The course provides an overview of the current healthcare system, value based care, quality measures, guidelines and their uses, patient safety, quality improvement cycles and population health; and concludes with student group presentations. This course engages an active learning framework (lectures online, classroom devoted to hands-on activities); blends knowledge and skills; provide opportunities to see workflow in real environments; and used a case-based learning approach.

BMI 6120 - 2 Credits - Spring

This class is Hybrid with online and synchronous lab sessions that meet online. This online introductory course will focus on vocabularies and standards commonly used in clinical and public health systems, particularly those required for information exchange and meaningful use of data. Students will be directed to the current literature and resources to gain knowledge about clinical information models and standard terminologies. Students will view online lectures and perform interactive modules that allow students to get hands on experience with selecting vocabulary, mapping concepts to standard vocabularies, creating and testing standardized messages, and creating information models. Students will learn to browse LOINC and SNOMED CT and describe the benefits of using data and messaging standards and their role for the secondary use of data for quality improvement, public health reporting, decision support and research.

CHEM 5430/CHEM 7430 - 2 Credits - Fall

This is a one half semester course that focuses on the application of organic chemistry to the study and manipulation of proteins. Topics include chemical synthesis of peptides, proteins, and peptide mimics and chemical biology methods to study the role of proteins in cell biology and signaling. Prerequisite: 2 semesters undergraduate organic chemistry.

This course is intended to provide an overview of the methods of chemical analysis used to characterize biological samples. Topics will include a discussion of separations techniques, the spectroscopy of biological molecules, immunological and enzymatic assays, and surface analytical methods.

CHEM 7300/ CHEM 5300/ MSE 5050 - 2 Credits - Spring

This course will cover the fundamentals of polymer chemistry and polymer structure.

The topics will include:

• Basic types of polymers, their characterization
• Mechanisms of polymer formation
• Specific examples of polymer structures
• Applications of polymeric materials
• Advances in polymer chemistry

Three lectures, one discussion per week for 7.5 weeks. Students will be required to pass a midterm and a final exam and prepare a presentation on a topic of current interest in the area of polymer chemistry.

CHEM 7450 - 2 Credits - Fall

• Basics of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with applications in biochemistry
• Transport phenomena
• Enzyme kinetics and inhibition
• Kinetic isotope effects
• Principles and applications of absorbance, fluorescence, and CD spectroscopies

CHEM 7460/CHEM 5460 - 2 Credits - Fall

This is a one half semester course which focuses on the mechanisms of chemical reactions involving peptides and proteins and methods for their study. Subject matter includes enzyme mechanisms, chemical modification of proteins and cofactor chemistry.

Prerequisite: organic chemistry.

Nucelic Acid Chemistry

CHEM 7470/ CHEM 5470 - 2 Credits - Spring

This is a one half semester course that focuses on the application of organic chemistry to the study and manipulation of nucleic acids. Topics include chemical synthesis of DNA and RNA, nucleoside and oligomer analogs, chemistry of DNA damage and repair, nucleic acid-targeted drugs and binding agents.

Prerequisite: 2 semesters undergraduate organic chemistry.

CHEM 7725 - 2 Credits - Fall

This one-half semester course will cover material related to the instrumentation, fundamentals, and applications of mass spectrometry. Topics will include a discussion of mass spectrometry nomenclature, ionization sources, mass analyzers, and detectors.

Prerequisite: quantitative analysis.

CHEM 7770 - 2 Credits - Fall

Three lectures, one discussion per week for 7.5 weeks.

This course provides an overview of the principles of optical spectroscopy covering the following topics:

• Basic optics, such as light propagation, polarization, Fresnel's equations, and elementary optics
• Mechanics of optical spectroscopy, including light sources, wavelength selection, and dectors
• Sensitivity and dynamic range in spectroscopic measurements
• Advanced topics in absorbance, fluorescence and vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy
• Surface spectroscopic methods based on optical waveguides, total internal reflection, and surface plasmon resonance
• Nonlinear optical spectroscopes, including second-harmonic generation and sum-frequency generation

CHEM 7790 - 2 Credits - Spring

Topics will be related to Lab-On-a-Chip (LOC)/micro-Total Analysis Systems (mTAS). Fundamental topics related to scaling down analytical systems to the micro-scale and smaller will be the focus of discussions in the class. More in depth exploration of specific systems and applications will be through homework assignments and discussion of scientific articles.

Major topics will include:

• Advantages and challenges of scaling down analytical methods
• Micro/nano-fluidics
• Fabrication approaches for LOC/mTAS
• Micro/nano-scale separation methods
• Detection approaches
• Combining LOC/mTAS with macro-scale methods.

COMM 6360 / 5360 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course examines all the ways we continually communicate (verbally and nonverbally, visually, and through actions and practices) about the natural world or environment around us. Environmental communication interprets and defines all that is beyond human and thus shapes individual and societal values and choices. It influences where we see “nature” and our relationship with it. The course analyzes and critiques pop culture communication about the environment (advertising, food, entertainment, consumption, and leisure), environmental ideology and identity (with roots in childhood), and mediated forms of environmental communication (mass media, public relations and government).

Science and Risk Communication

COMM 7260 - 3 Credits - Fall

Advanced study of science and risk communication theories relevant to public opinion formation and dynamics. Science and risk communication are central to understanding STEM issues that have significant ethical, legal, and social implications at the intersection of media and politics.

Evidence Based Decision

ELP 6010 - 3 Credits - Spring

This course examines theories, issues, challenges, processes, and tools of decision making for educational leaders. The assumptions and weaknesses of classical decision theory are examined and alternative explanations explored, including examination of both formal (scientific) and informal (intuitive) methods of decision-making.

ENTP 6820 - 1.5 Credits - Spring

This course is a five-week overview of technology and emerging opportunities in selected industry and technological sectors. The specific content of the course varies from term to term in order to address the broad array of topics that are of interest to students in the David Eccles School of Business and the University community as a whole. This course is supervised by the Management Department but taught by faculty who will be recruited from science and industry for their specific expertise. No scientific background is required.

H GEN 6060 - 2 Credits - Spring

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to fundamental concepts and experimental approaches in the analysis and interpretation of experimental genomics data. It will be structured as a series of lectures covering key concepts and analytical strategies. A diverse range of biological question enabled by modern DNA sequencing technologies will be explored including sequence alignment, the identification of genetic variation, structural variation, and ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis. Students will learn and apply the fundamental data formats and analysis strategies that underlie computational genomics research. The primary goal of the course is for students to be grounded in theory and have the ability to conduct independent genomic analyses.

This course covers topics related to human genetics and the mechanisms of gene and cellular regulation, DNA structure, genes and mutations, basic cytogenetics, population genetics, immune-genetics, and risk analysis.

Prerequisites: (Genetic Counseling Students OR Instructor's Consent) AND Undergraduate Course in Genetics.

H GEN 7380/PATH 7380 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course will educate physicians and graduate students on the fundamentals of biochemical genetics. Includes inborn errors of metabolism and several common disorders, such as diabetes and hypertension, which have biochemical bases correctable by diet or other medical intervention. Provides overview of biochemical pathways, practical experience on how the biochemical pathways can be studied in vivo and in vitro, the molecular bases of common metabolic problems, the mechanism of inheritance including recurrence risk, and how to rationally treat metabolic blocks.

Prerequisite: College level biochemistry.

Database Theory and Design

IS 6420 - 3 Credits - Spring

Advanced topics in database theory and design, including hands-on development of a working database system.

• The relational database model
• Foundations in relational algebra
• Design techniques
• Distributed databases
• Multimedia databases
• Knowledge bases

MBIOL 6500 - 3 Credits - Fall

This half-semester course welcomes students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to the University of Utah’s graduate Molecular Biology Program. We strive to ensure that all students will have a strong foundation in nucleic acid metabolism, gene expression, protein structure and function, genetics and cell biology as you start your first year of graduate school. Basic content will be provided as pre-work and in-class time will be spent applying these concepts to data interpretation, problem-solving and model-building. Content experts will join the course directors to ensure both a consistent course structure as well as cutting-edge expertise and an opportunity to meet several faculty. We will work to create a supportive learning environment where all students can actively participate.

ME EN 6960 - 3 Credits - Spring

Contemporary problems in Mechanical Engineering.

MGT 6960 - 3 Credits - Spring

This course examines processes and techniques of negotiating in organizational settings. Students develop negotiation skills through extensive case analyses, role-playing, and simulations. Negotiations examined in the class include negotiating between individuals, buyers and sellers, bosses and subordinates, departments and groups, and large collectivities such as labor and management. There is a fee for this class to cover the copyright costs of the negotiation exercises.

MGT 6790 - 3 Credits - Spring

This course is designed to expose students to issues and considerations that confront managers entering an international setting. The class does this by exposing students to issues related to ways in which cultural contexts inform different social, technological, and business norms. We will use lectures, cases, videos, and articles to learn and apply course concepts, and to understand how international management issues are perceived by different stakeholders in a variety of international environments.

Nanoscale Probing and Imaging

MSE 6075 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course is designed to teach graduate students the basic principles of electronic microscopy and scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy and their application in nanoscale probing and imaging, as well as single molecule detection. It is designed for improving the understanding and interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Clinical and Molecular Cancer Biology

ONCSC 6500 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

In alternating years, this course is focused on the current understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of cancer along with how this knowledge relates to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. The complementary sister-course is focused on clinical cancer biology. It is designed for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in basic science departments with an interest in modern principles and practice of oncology. It will cover general principles and new developments in cancer etiology, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The course is organized around specific diseases, using advances in each area to highlight modern principles and practice of oncology.

Data Analysis and Decision Making I

OSC 6040 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

This course will develop decision making abilities with data-analysis and decision models. Applications will be in the business functional areas. Students will use computers to solve business problems. Course topics will include advanced statistical analysis, regression models, decision analysis basics, and portfolio management.

OSC 6425 - 3 Credits - Spring

Six Sigma is a philosophy and set of concrete tools designed to reduce variation in all critical processes to achieve continuous and breakthrough improvements that impact the bottom line of organization and increase customer satisfaction. In this course, we will study the five phase DMAIC (Design-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) approach in detail with a combination of lecture, small group breakout sessions, and hands-on practice. Course topics will include a review of statistics, process improvement tools, statistical process control, measurement system evaluation, capability analysis and design of experiments. Statistical software such as Minitab will be required and used throughout the class.

Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in OSC 6040 

OSC 6660 - 3 Credits - Spring, Summer, Fall

Project management has become the way of life in many industries. Whether it is development of a new product, organizational-wide implementation of a new IT tool, or execution of a merger, project management skills are required to manage cross-functional teams subject to strict deadlines and tight budget constraints. In this course we discuss all three phases of project management: project conception, execution, and closure. Issues related to project leadership, budgeting, and scheduling will be addressed in the course, and case discussions will highlight state of the art project management practices. Project management software will be introduced (possibly including group project using MS Project Software).

PATH 5030 / PATH 7330 - 3 Credits - Fall

This is a survey course covering the basic principles in Immunology with lectures provided by faculty directly involved in particular areas. The final third of the course will feature clinical and experimental topics in Immunology. The course is primarily slated for graduate and master students. It is also open for particularly interested undergrad students, but is not specifically intended as preparation for Med School due to its programmatic depth. Students should have some exposure to biochemistry, modern genetics, and cell biology. It meets the requirements for the Medical Technology (B.S.) and Medical Laboratory Science (M.S.) programs.

Undergrad students are encouraged to complete BIOL 2020, 2030 and 3510 prior to taking this course.

Principles and Applications in Molecular Diagnostics

PATH 5535 - 3 Credits - Spring

Develop advanced understanding of scientific principles of molecular biology as applied to molecular diagnostic laboratory testing. Understand the application of molecular diagnostics as a means to assess health and disease including test selection and correlation of laboratory data to pathologic states in areas of genetics, oncology and infectious disease. Learn to assess the quality of performance of molecular testing, abnormal laboratory data, discrepant results and validity of test results.

Pathophys of Disease

PATH 6750 - 4 Credits - Fall

The “Pathophysiology of Disease” course is a flipped course consisting of online assignments and in-class activities. This course builds a foundation for understanding mechanisms responsible for the development of common diseases and conditions including immune, genetic, blood, nervous and endocrine system disorders, as well as pathophysiological processes responsible for the development of infectious, liver, kidney, and lung diseases. This course is suitable for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who want to learn more about normal structures and functions of organs and systems in the body, and the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying common diseases. Online activities comprise of watching recorded lectures, studying textbook chapters and reading additional materials covering major topics of pathophysiology of the diseases. In-class activities include online material and case study discussions. This course is a preparatory course for PATH 6900 (Biochemical Techniques).

PATH 6900 - 4 Credits - Spring

Current and future technologies used in research and diagnostic medicine are covered, including basic principles, instrumentation, and clinical applications.

• Electrophoresis
• Flow cytometry
• DNA technologies
• Chromatography
• Immunologic techniques

PBHLT 6100 - 3 Credits - Spring

Basic course in the use of biostatistical methods in the analysis of health and medical data with emphasis on interpretation of results for research, policy, and practice. Focus on quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and the analysis of data using biostatistics, informatics, and software to demonstrate the importance of evidence-based practice in the field of public health.

R Program for Hlth Res

PBHLT 6102 - 3 Credits - Summer

The R programming language is a wildly popular tool for manipulating, visualizing, and analyzing data. This course is designed to introduce the R programming language to graduate and advanced undergraduate students who are planning to conduct research in the health sciences. Students should already have a basic understanding of statistical methods such as regression, but prior experience with R is not required. This three-credit-hour course fluidly interweaves lecture and in-class lab time; each student will need to bring a laptop to class.

PBHLT 6625 - 3 Credits - Summer

Public health is a multifaceted field that aims to maintain and improve the well-being of populations. It is prudent for individuals in the profession to have a basic knowledge of the physiologic processes that contribute to morbidity and mortality. The goal of this course is to help public health professionals in training (with no background in medicine) understand that basic biology and pathophysiology behind the leading causes of mortality and disability in the United States.

Therapeutics Discovery, Development, and Evaluation

PHARM 6500 - 2 Credits - Fall

This half-semester course, which is open to graduate students from departments in the College of Pharmacy and those participating in the Biological Chemistry/Molecular Biology PhD programs, will explore the process of developing therapeutics. Subject matters include steps spanning the entire drug development process from discovering active species, developing them into compounds that are suitable for clinical evaluation, assessing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and determining the efficacy of candidates in clinical studies and after FDA approval.

PHCEU 6020/BME 6302 - 3 Credits - Spring

Chemical, physical, and biological properties of synthetic polymer, metal, and ceramic biomaterials. Relationship between the structure of biomaterials and their interaction with blood, soft, and hard tissue. Mechanical properties, fabrication, and degradation mechanisms, and performance testing of materials in biomedical use.

PHCEU 7010 - 1.5 Credits - Fall

This course will review fundamental aspects of genetic engineering and molecular biology, with application to health sciences.

Macromolecular Therapeutics and Drug Delivery

PHCEU 7030 - 2 Credits - Fall

Introduction to polymer in Pharmaceutics and drug delivery. Transport phenomena in drug delivery systems. Macromolecular and vesicular carriers. Biorecognition and drug targeting. Protein, oligonucleotide, and gene delivery systems.

Prerequisite: Graduate student status or instructor consent and CHEM 7050.

PHCEU 7230/ BME 6405 - 3 Credits - Fall

The convergence of recent advances in nanotechnology with modern biology and medicine has created the new research domain of nanobiotechnology. The use in medicine is termed nanomedicine. Nanomedicine research includes the development of diagnostics for rapid monitoring, targeted cancer therapies, localized drug delivery, improved cell material interactions, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and gene delivery systems among others. Successful research and development in nanomedicine where ultimately patients and the general public can benefit from these new technologies require the interaction of a multitude of disciplines including chemistry, materials science and engineering, cellular biology, pharmaceutical sciences and clinical translational research. This course will span the spectrum of how such materials are fabricated, characterized, interact with the biological environment, used in specific biomedical applications and translated from concept to the clinic and commercialization. Topics are taught by experts in the respective areas and will include fundamentals of nanomedicine, bottom up and top down approaches to nanofabrication, conjugation strategies, physiochemical characterization, cellular uptake and toxicity, biodistribution, clinical and preclinical nanomedicine as well as special topics in nanobiosensors, nanofluidics, polymer therapeutics and commercialization of nanomedicine products. This course will count as an elective for the Nanotechnology Graduate Programs and potentially other departmental graduate programs at the University of Utah.

STAT 6003 - 3 Credits - Fall

Survey of current statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, and R or Stata. Selected demonstrations of specialized software at an introductory level. Participants develop the skills of using statistical software responsibly and learning new statistical software quickly.

STRAT 6310 - 3 Credits - Fall

This course is designed to help students gain an awareness of legal and regulatory controls that impact organizational leaders. Students will develop an understanding of how to implement strategies to avoid potential legal liability by examining best practices in various sectors such a healthcare, consumer products, and technology. Guest presentations by attorneys and corporate executives will also provide students with practical advice on how to manage legal and ethical issues.

STRAT 6750 - 1.5 Credits - Fall, Spring

This course will examine ways to improve the performance of under-performing firms. Primary attention will be given to the role of strategic change or re-orientation in the turnaround process. Students will examine the role of managers in leading turnarounds. Students will also be introduced to analytical frameworks that examine how organizational levers such as structure, incentives, and measurement facilitate turnarounds.

STRAT 6760/5750 - 3 Credits - Fall, Spring

This course is designed to acquaint students with trends and challenges of leading an organization in today’s economy and business environment. This is accomplished by reading about and discussing current leadership topics and by introducing students to weekly guest speakers; business executives, community leaders and entrepreneurs. Guest speakers demonstrate leadership style and technique through lectures, recommended readings, and presentations. This course has been developed in partnership with the Goff Strategic Leadership Center, whose aim is to change how organizations and people work by developing individuals into value creators. They do this by building a bridge between WHAT students learn in the classroom and HOW they work to drive impact as strategic leaders. Entrepreneurship requires leadership. This class is designed to familiarize students with the current challenges and trends of growing a business in today’s economy. Students learn not only through lectures and readings, but also from frequent presentations by distinguished entrepreneurs and business leaders who share their real-world experiences. This business elective has no prerequisites and is open to all majors at the University of Utah.

This course provides an introduction to Business Development as practiced in technology-focused companies. Concepts of strategy (vs. strategic planning), the role and deliverables of marketing organizations within companies that focus on business to business sales, and the fundamentals of accounting and finance that are essential for managers and other decision-makers will be presented. The course focus is on how scientists and engineers support and work with business development teams. This is a cohort class for first-year MST students.

Permission of PMST Program Director required.

This course offers strategies for effective communication and leadership that are essential for managers and other decision-makers. Students will develop skills in communication, collaboration, negotiation, and persuasion. Students will examine best practices of managing meetings, facilitating group problem solving, and consensus building within cross-functional teams that are commonly found in technology companies. This is a cohort class for first-year MST students.

This course focuses on the management of value creation through effective and efficient process design and project management. The course will cover operational design and theory within the planning, organizing, implementing and monitoring functions of management, the fundamentals of traditional project management and agile processes. The goal of this course is to provide students with context and tools to increase their ability to function within and improve, organizational processes. This is a cohort class for first-year MST students.

This course focuses on scientific reasoning, inquiry and problem solving skills. Topics covered include simple and theoretical induction, bayesianism, statistical and causal hypotheses, using scientific information in decision making, inference to the best explanation, science and the individual, and science and society. Required of all first-year MST students.

This case/example-based course introduces exploratory data analysis (EDA) using R. No prior knowledge of R is assumed. A primary objective is for students to apply graphical EDA techniques (including: scatter plots, box plots, histograms, probability plots, residual plots, and mean plots) to representative data sets using the RStuido platform. Additionally, students evaluate data using standard, quantitative statistical techniques. Practical exercises and industry cases are used throughout the term. Students are encouraged to bring laptops to class.

Recommended Prerequisites: MATH 1220 OR Instructor Consent.

MST 6974 - 1 Credit - Fall, Spring

Students will complete planning activities associated with the Professional Experience Project (MST 6975) including: identifying a project sponsor, documenting the project objectives and project description, writing a formal project proposal and formal presentation.

Professional Project (may count as STEM)

MST 6975 - 3 Credits - Fall, Spring

The Professional Experience Project is designed to give practical, hands-on training and experience in a meaningful work environment, with both science and business content. The project engages students in the issues, techniques, current practices, climate and culture of a particular industry sector. Eligible students are required to have taken a minimum of 15 credits of coursework, including MST 6010, 6012, 6020, 6021, 6022, 6023, and 6600. The project must be approved following the program guidelines. A final exam/presentation, which is evaluated on a pass/fail basis, is given at the end of the project. The presentation is open to the public. A final report is prepared by the student, which is considered a public document. The student's supervisory committee assigns a grade when the project, final presentation, and final report have been completed.

• Huntsman Cancer Institute Research
• Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination
• Graduate Students

University of Utah Health

There are many opportunities to pursue an advanced degree at the University of Utah (U of U). Huntsman Cancer Institute mentors represent 34 different academic departments, 24 that have their own graduate programs. Many trainees enter labs through the combined graduate programs in molecular biology and biological chemistry or the graduate program in the Department of Population Health Sciences.

The Department of Oncological Sciences and the Cancer Population Sciences Division (Department of Population Health Sciences) offer cancer-focused didactic, special topics courses, and cancer biology journal clubs. These courses, along with certificate programs in genome sciences and personalized medicine, provide robust training in cancer biology.

Graduate Training Opportunities

Community outreach and engagement (coe) internship.

Huntsman Cancer Institute

Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is seeking applicants for the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) internship program. Selected interns will join established teams devoted to creating long-term solutions to prevent and screen for cancer and improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. Learn more about the Community Outreach and Engagement team .

Bioscience PhD Programs

Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of Utah

The Molecular Biology (MB) Program and Biological Chemistry (BC) Program are two complementary interdepartmental PhD programs at the U of U. They are both Bioscience PhD programs. Each program is distinct in its core curriculum and requirements and reach across 11 departments.

Population Health Science PhD Program

School of Medicine, University of Utah

Population Health Sciences (PHS) at the School of Medicine drives health care transformation to improve the well-being of the population through research, education, and community engagement activities. It works closely with Cancer Control faculty members to improve population health within our community.

MD-PhD Program

The MD-PhD Program provides an outstanding education for future physician-scientists. Students develop clinical skills and engage in rigorous scientific training. Through our top medical program and exceptional graduate programs, students become well-prepared for careers as biomedical researchers and clinician scientists.

T32 GEMS Program

GEMS is a robust two-year predoctoral training program that leverages existing Huntsman Cancer Institute research and infrastructure strengths in cancer genetics and epigenetics, cancer modeling, and cancer cell signaling. The program integrates trainee interactions with cancer patients, cancer clinicians, and our Disease Centers to provide broad multidisciplinary training in cancer biology.

Biomedical Informatics

Search Utah State University:

Psychology - bs, ba.

About This Degree

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes.

The department is internationally known for its innovative research, teaching, and scholarship programs. Graduates are prepared for professions in mental health, research, education, and human service settings. Given that most career paths in psychology require graduate training , Utah State's psychology program is directed toward helping majors meet the prerequisites of competitive graduate programs and preparing them for research and graduate work in psychology.

What You Will Learn

Faculty involve students in research opportunities, which can be conducted in any number of Utah State’s excellent research facilities. Students must either complete a capstone course or an apprenticeship course which allows them to gain work experience outside of the classroom. They are also encouraged to get involved with Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, in order to help them with their academic pursuits and get more information about opportunities available with a degree in psychology.

Students earn a major in psychology by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA , students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

At a Glance

College: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services

Department: Psychology Department

USU Locations:

• Logan campus
• Statewide campuses

Program Requirements

• Update this page

Career And Outcomes

Career opportunities.

With a degree in psychology, students will be well prepared for graduate study in psychology and other areas. Graduates can also pursue the following careers:

• Probation and parole officer
• Career counselor
• Rehabilitation specialist
• Psychiatric technician

Job Outlook

Request for information and advising.

We will build on your goals and experiences while working together to design an individualized semester-by-semester plan. Your personalized plan will help you see a path from where you are now on to graduation. Even if you are unsure of the major you would like to pursue, we can help with resources and ideas.

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

STATEWIDE CAMPUSES *

USU ONLINE **

*This degree is available at various USU locations.

• Brigham City
• Castle Dale
• Cortez (CO)
• Montezuma Creek
• Monument Valley
• Price (USU Eastern)
• Roosevelt (Uintah Basin)
• Vernal (Uintah Basin)

**This degree is 100% available online. USU is a SARA-approved institution offering fully online programs nationwide; please visit USU's state authorizations for details.

Admission Requirements

In addition to Utah State University’s admissions requirements , the psychology program has additional requirements:

• First-Year students: Students that meet the USU admission requirements can be admitted into the psychology department.
• Transfer Students: Transfer students and USU students transferring from other majors qualify to be admitted to the psychology department if they are in good standing at USU.
• Completion of at least 40 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of at least 18 USU credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of the following psychology pre-requisite courses: Psy 1010, 1100, 1400, 1410, 3010, 2010 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• After the prerequisites above have been met, students must make a written application to the department to declare a psychology major.

International students have additional admissions requirements .

Students are required to complete a minor.

Take The Next Step

Visit campus.

Schedule a campus tour and come see what it's all about.

Cost and Aid

Learn about tuition, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities.

How to Apply

Start your degree path and apply now.

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Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology Admissions

Students seeking admission to the Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology (GMCB) program apply to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and select the GMCB program. Students interested in the Mammalian Genetics at JAX track must select this track when they apply to GMCB.

Prospective applicants are evaluated based on prior grades, three letters of recommendation, and responses to the short essays that are part of the application. Prior research experience is strongly valued but is not required.

The essay prompts for our program are:

• Academic Statement of Purpose (750 words maximum): tell us about your development as a scientist, your research experience, your vision for your professional trajectory, and why this particular program, in this particular location, is the right step for you now.
• Personal Statement (750 works maximum): Anything that can give reviewers a sense of you as a person, and your promise as a member of the Tufts community, belongs here.
• More Information (Optional, 250 words maximum): Our students have many different backgrounds, experiences, identities, interests, and talents that meaningfully inspired them to pursue a career in science. What inspired you?

A personal interview is an important part of our evaluation process and may be conducted in person or virtually. An undergraduate major in the biological or life sciences is recommended, but not required.

The GRE is not required but can be submitted with the application.

The application is completed online on the GSBS Application Portal .

Information about application deadlines and the application process can be found in the Admissions section of this website.