Molecular Medicine Graduate Program Track

Molecular Medicine (MOME) Curriculum

All Biomedical Sciences students enroll in a core curriculum during year 1 that is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for cutting edge research.  The core curriculum is a mixture of didactic, small group discussion, laboratory courses, and laboratory rotations.  The topics begin with simple biological molecules and progress to a comprehensive discussion of systems pathophysiology.  Several MOME-related courses are available to advanced students following completion of the core curriculum.  Minimum credit requirement needs to be matched for each semester in order to be eligible for stipend.

Educational Program Objectives

NOTE:  Click here for program FORMS

NOTE:  Click here for the MOME Graduate Student Checklist 

NOTE:  Click here for the MOME Advisory Committee Meeting Form

NOTE:  Click here for the 2020-2021 College of Graduate Studies - Graduate Student Handbook
                Click here for the 2020-2021 Biomedical Science Program - Graduate Student Handbook

Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 1

The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 25 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The rest of the credits are approved electives and research in the Molecular Medicine track. In the first year, students will take 14 credits the first term (Fall), 13 credits the second term (Spring), and 6 credits during summer term. During subsequent years while full-time, students will register for 9, 9, and 6 credits, respectively during fall, spring, and summer terms.

FIRST TERM Fall Semester Courses (all are required)	Course Number	9 Credits
Introduction to Biomedical Research	--	0
Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in:
CPRA in Proteins	BMSP 6330	2
CPRA in Genes and Genomes	BMSP 6340	2
CPRA in Cell Membranes	BMSP 6360	2
Methods in Biomedical Sciences	BMSP 6380	2
Mentored Research (two 5 week lab rotations)	BMSP 6390	1

 

SECOND TERM Spring Semester Courses	Course Number	9 Credits
Systems Pathophysiology	BMSP 6470	4
Cell Biology and Signaling	BMSP 6350	3
Mentored Research (one 5 week lab rotation)	BMSP 6390	1
Journal Paper Review in MOME	MOME 8600	1

 

THIRD TERM Summer Semester Courses	Course Number	6 Credits
Statistical Methods I, (required BMS core course)	BMSP 5320	3
Research in MOME (If you have identified your major advisor & completed the G.R.A.D. Form)	MOME 6730	3-6

Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 2 and beyond

In addition to the BMS core requirements, PhD students in the MOME track will be required to take the following courses to graduate:

Courses	Course Number	Credits
Seminars in Molecular Medicine (fall and spring)      (required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years)	MOME 6300	1
Advanced Topics in MOME (fall)	MOME 8500	3
Journal Paper Review in MOME (fall and spring)      (required in fall and spring semesters of the 2nd and 3rd years)	MOME 8600	1
Grant Writing Workshop (spring)	BMSP 8250	3

Curriculum to include advanced electives in Molecular Medicine or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours. Students will also be expected to present a poster or oral presentation in the annual COMLS Graduate Research Forum in the spring of each year and the Pharmacology Research Colloquium. The Pharmacology Research Colloquium is held on a rotating basis at UTHSC, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. It is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973. These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

The PhD Qualifying Exam is taken at the end of the Fall semester of the second year. Prior to passing the PhD Qualifying Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Research in Molecular Medicine (MOME 6730, 1-9 credit hours) or in some cases Independent Study in Molecular Medicine (MOME 6890/8890). After passing the PhD Qualifying Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Dissertation Research (MOME 9990).

Students will also usually present a poster or oral presentation in the annual UT Health Science Campus Research Forum and the Pharmacology Research Colloquium.  The Pharmacology Research Colloquium is held on a rotating basis at UTHSC, Michigan State University, The University of Michigan and Wayne State University.  It is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973.  These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

MASTERS PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 1:

The minimum number of credits required for MSBS is 40, with a minimum of 18 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade). 

The MSBS curriculum includes advanced electives in Molecular Medicine or other areas to make up the 18 required didactic credit hours. 

A minimum of 10 credits of Thesis Research is required for graduation. 

FIRST TERM Fall Semester Courses (all are required)	Course Number	9 Credits
Introduction to Biomedical Research		0
Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in:
CPRA in Proteins	BMSP 6330	2
CPRA in Genes and  Genomes	BMSP 6340	2
CPRA in Cell Membranes	BMSP 6360	2
Methods in Biomedical Sciences	BMSP 6380	2
Mentored Research (two 5 week lab rotations)	BMSP 6390	1

 

SECOND TERM Spring Semester  Courses (*=required)	Course Number	9 Credits Total
Journal Paper Review in MOME*	MOME 8600	1
Systems Pathophysiology* or Cell Biology and Signaling* (Choose ONE)	BMSP 6470 or BMSP 6350 (Choose ONE)	4 or 3
Research in MOME or Mentored Research (if needed)	MOME 6730 BMSP 6390	1-8 or 1
Electives		0-7

 

THIRD TERM Summer Semester Courses	Course Number	6 Credits
Statistical Methods I, (required BMSP core course)	BMSP 5320	3
"On Being a Scientist"	INDI 6020	1
Research in MOME	MOME 6730	0-3
The MSBS Qualifying Examination is taken at the end of the first year (by end of summer semester).  After passing the MSBS Qualifying Exam, the student should register to carry out their research under the Thesis Research in MOME (MOME 6990).

 MASTERS PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 2 

FOURTH TERM Fall Semester Courses	Course Number	9 Credits
Seminars in Molecular Medicine	MOME 6300	1
Journal Paper Review in MOME	MOME 8600	1
Thesis Research in MOME (and/or Electives)	MOME 6990	1-7

FIFTH TERM Spring Semester Courses	Course Number	9 Credits
Seminars in Molecular Medicine (required for students in their 2nd year)	MOME 6300	1
Journal Paper Review in MOME (required by students in their 2nd year)	MOME 8600	1
Thesis Research in MOME (and/or Electives)	MOME 6990	3-4

SIXTH TERM Summer Semester Courses	Course Number	6 Credits
Thesis Research in MOME and/or and/or Electives	MOME 6990	0-6 &/or 0-6

MASTERS PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 3 (if necessary) 

SEVENTH TERM, EIGHTH TERM, NINTH TERM Courses	Course Number	9 Credits (fall & spring); 6(summer)
Thesis Research in MOME and/or Electives	MOME 6990	1-9 &/or 0-8

MD/Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS

Biomedical Sciences Program Core Requirements	Course Number	6 Credits
"On Being a Scientist"	INDI 6020	1
Methods in Biomedical Science	BMSP 6380/8380	2
Statistical Methods, (required BMS core course)	BMSP 7320	3
Clinical Elective (see Clinical Training during Graduate School)	INDI 745
Required track-specific courses and journal clubs - students should consult with their major advisor, track director, and track websites

In addition to the core requirements, MD/PhD students in the MOME track will be required to take the following courses:

• Grant Writing Workshop (BMSP 8250, 3 cr)
• Methods in Biomedical Sciences (BMSP 6380, 2 cr)
• Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine (MOME 8500, 3 cr)
• Advanced electives in MOME or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours.

All students will usually present a poster in the UTHSC Research Forum and present a poster or oral presentation at the Pharmacology Research Colloquium.  The Pharmacology Research Colloquium is held on a rotating basis at UT HSC, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.  It is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973.  These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

 Advanced Courses in the MOME Track:

• Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine  (MOME 8500, 3 cr, Fall)
  A comprehensive examination of the foundation of Molecular Medicine.

   

• Seminars in Molecular Medicine (MOME 6300, 1 cr, Spring and Fall)
  Seminars presented by invited speakers expose MOME graduate students to the latest advancements in basic research related to Molecular Medicine.  Informal discussions sessions are organized which enable students to meet with speakers invited from other institutions.

   

• Independent Study in MOME (MOME 8890, 1-9 cr, all semesters)
  This is a variable credit course in which a student caries out independent study in MOME directed by their major advisor.

   

• Grant Writing Workshop (BMSP 8250, 3 cr, Spring)
  This is an interdisciplinary course designed to teach students skills in developing a research plan in the form of a grant proposal.

   

• Practical Bioinformatics (BIPG 5110/7110, 1 cr, Summer I)
  Gain training in bioinformatics through hands-on experience.  This course is a recommended elective.  Format: Short lectures integrated with computer tasks in bioinformatics computer lab (HEB127).  The bioinformatics resources will primarily be those freely available on the internet.  The course will meet twice a week for 2-hour sessions in the Bioinformatics Computer Lab.  The course will last six weeks during the summer semester.
  

   

• Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics (BIPG 5100, 3 cr, Fall)
  This is a 3 credit which is part of the Bioinformatics Program that is recommended as an elective.  This course introduces the student to the powerful tools developed to access and analyze biological sequence and structural information. The topics include sequence databases, sequence comparisons, database searches, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure, proteomics, RNA structure prediction, gene prediction and identification, genetic analysis of disease, and microarray studies of gene expression.  Emphasis is on theory and practical methods for evaluation and management of biomedical data. 

 Application:

• Students interested in Molecular Medicine should apply online.
  
  For more information about the specific Financial Support programs and their requirements, please take a look at the Financial Support section of the Bulletin and Handbook of the Health Science Campus Graduate Student.