UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT FORT WORTH
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Overview
UNT Health Science Center, a public institution, is comprised of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Center is nationally recognized for osteopathic medical education, biomedical sciences education, multidisciplinary biomedical research, public health education, and primary and specialized patient care.
The Community
UNT Health Science Center is in Fort Worth, a city of 490,000 people, known for its colorful Western heritage and friendly, casual lifestyle. The campus is near Fort Worth's downtown area and adjacent to its cultural district, which includes the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth Art Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and the Cowgirl Museum. The area is served by the Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field.
Programs of study and degree requirements
A student interested in graduate work in biomedical sciences at UNT Health Science Center may pursue either the M.S. or the Ph.D. degree. Doctoral degrees culminate with a specialization in cell biology and genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, biomedical sciences, microbiology and immunology, pharmacology, or integrative physiology. Master's degrees are also offered in these areas, as well as in the areas of science education, clinical research and education, biotechnology, forensic genetics, and medical science. All integrated curricula include biochemistry, biomedical cell and molecular biology, biomedical ethics, immunology, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, and statistics. In addition, specific readings, seminars, and discussions are assigned to each candidate individually through an advisory committee. Successful completion of an oral qualifying exam as well as a written and orally defended grant application is required of all Ph.D. students at the end of their formal course work. Both the thesis and dissertation must be defended orally. Joint degrees (D.O./M.S., D.O./Ph.D., P.A./Ph.D., and M.P.H./Ph.D.) are available.
Facilities & Resources
UNT Health Science Center has 50,000 square feet of prime research space distributed among the different departments. Offices for the faculty, support staff, and administration occupy 6,000 square feet of additional space. The research facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories in a superb research environment. Individual laboratories are equipped with microcomputers (DEC, Macintosh, and IBM PCs) for online data collection and manipulation. Mainframe facilities are available by phone-modem and Internet interfaces with the system at UNT. Support facilities include a large multianimal (AALAC-approved) vivarium and the 53,000-square-foot Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library. Current holdings include more than 160,000 print volumes and 2,150 journal subscriptions. The library's Learning Resource Center contains more than 6,350 audiovisual and computer software programs. Three microcomputer laboratories offer both IBM- and Macintosh-based computer-assisted instruction, computer literacy training, and individual assistance in word processing, spreadsheet, and other application programs.
Expenses and Aid
Costs
Tuition and fees for residents of Texas are $97 per semester hour, with a $120 minimum for a regular semester. Tuition for nonresidents is $348 per semester hour but is waived for certain qualified graduate students, with resident tuition charged. These figures do not include course fees. (All costs are subject to change.) Housing facilities in Fort Worth are moderately priced and range from $400 to $600 for a one-bedroom apartment to $550 to $700 for a two-bedroom apartment. No campus housing is available. General cost-of-living figures are below the national average but are equal to the cost of living within the state of Texas. Students pursuing either the M.S. or Ph.D. may receive financial support from an academic department on a competitive basis. The current level of support may be up to $16,000 over twelve months. Employment by UNT Health Science Center as a graduate teaching assistant ensures eligibility for in-state tuition and fees. As part of their training, many students are required to act as teaching assistants in teaching laboratories, regardless of their financial support. The Office of Financial Aid administers a variety of federally sponsored programs.
How to Apply
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree in biology or a related field, a competitive GPA in undergraduate work, and a competitive GRE score. International students must have a TOEFL score of 213 (computer-based) or more. Two letters of evaluation, an essay regarding recent scientific advances, and a statement of personal career goals are also required. Call, e-mail or write for a paper application. Apply online at www.hsc.unt.edu/gsbs.
Who to Contact
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
UNT Health Science Center
3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76107-2699
Telephone: 817-735-2560 or 800-511-GRAD (toll-free)
E-mail: gsbs@hsc.unt.edu
MAJOR RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research addresses prominent disease states such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's. Specific research interests include cancer cell biochemistry, tumor invasion/angiogenesis/metastasis, anticancer drug development, mechanisms of cancer cell chemotherapy, apoptosis and drug resistance, molecular basis of muscle contraction, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, human tissue engineering, regulation of apolipoprotein E expression, hyperbaric oxygen and atherosclerosis, caveolin and cholesterol transport, enzymology of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, signal transduction mechanisms of insulin biosynthesis and secretion, molecular mechanisms of aging/antioxidants/Alzheimer's, proteases action in natural killer cells, blood cell differentiation, structure and function of parasitic enzymes.
Biomedical Sciences
The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical sciences are designed to give students a broad base of knowledge in those disciplines that flourish in the environment of a health science center. Students are required to pursue specialized research of an interdisciplinary nature. Advanced courses focus on the individual student's particular interests and involve offerings from more than one discipline.
Biotechnology
The biotechnology program trains individuals for careers in industry and research by providing the tools and experience needed for the highly technological positions offered in emerging biotechnology companies and research institutions. All students in biotechnology are required to train in molecular, cellular, physiological, and pharmacological techniques and to complete an internship in a research or industrial laboratory setting that forms the basis of the laboratory internship practicum.
Cell Biology and Genetics
Cell biology research focuses on diseases of the eye such as degenerative retinal diseases, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal neovascularization, and cataracts. Other research includes angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell secretory mechanisms, cell signaling, glial cell biology, growth factors and neurotrophins, neuroinflammation, nuclear function, and stem cell research.
Clinical Research and Education
The Master of Science in clinical research and educationis directed toward students who have completed or are completing graduate-level training in a clinical health-care discipline who want to participate in advancing osteopathic medicine and medical principles through teaching and/or research. The degree is designed to build on the student's clinical skills by fostering the development of additional skills in educational methodology and research techniques. While the degree can help students planning a clinical career by helping them to be more sophisticated consumers of the latest research, it is designed to be of particular value to students planning a career in graduate medical education or in academic medicine.
Forensic Genetics
This field of study concentrates on the methods of analysis and procedures used in genetic identity testing of evidentiary materials from human and nonhuman sources, utilizing advanced and state-of-the-art technologies, including microsatellite analysis, mitochondrial DNA, RT-PCR, and SNP technologies. Training provides a firm foundation in population genetics, data analysis, and legal testimony.
Integrative Physiology
Research interests include microcirculation, cardioprotection, myocardial energy metabolism, cardiac electrophysiology and endocrinology, coronary flow and flow regulation, cardiovascular responses to exercise and obesity, mechanisms of blood pressure and blood volume regulation, and sleep physiology.
Clinical Research Management
The clinical research management program trains students to conduct clinical research and studies in order to enter the job market as either clinical research coordinators or associates. The program also prepares graduates for other careers, such as pharmaceutical sales and regulatory affairs. The one-year curriculum includes an internship in clinical studies.
Microbiology and Immunology
Faculty in microbiology and immunology maintain outstanding research programs with special emphasis on infectious disease, microbiology, cancer, and immunology. Research opportunities for students include regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression, molecular biology of microbial virulence and metabolism, respiratory immunology, molecular immunology, tumor immunology, vaccine development, and cancer biology and metastasis.
Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Research interests include neurodegeneration and aging, molecular pharmacology and toxicology, behavioral pharmacology, substance abuse, vision biology, and signal transduction.
Science Education
The science education program provides advanced skills to individuals who have chosen careers in middle and high school science teaching. Students take integrated biomedical science courses that offer training in disciplines that range from molecular biology to whole organisms, a specialized course in which students design scientific demonstrations/experiences for middle/secondary school classes, and an internship practicum in which they spend a minimum of 10 hours per week assisting in the classroom teaching of middle or high school science.
Post-baccalaureate Preclinical Certification
The post-baccalaureate preclinical certification program is designed to provide opportunities to those individuals who would like to enhance their credentials for entry into medical school by offering a strong, challenging biomedical science core curriculum in the environment of a health science center. In addition, the program provides training in clinical research, that branch of biomedical sciences by which products (drugs, devices, and biologicals) and treatment protocols are developed for patient care. Preparation of health care professionals (both clinical/physician investigators and research site personnel) to conduct trials is critical to the expanding clinical research field.