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- PhD in Oral Sciences
- The College of Dentistry offers a program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Oral Sciences to train the next generation's cadre of oral health scientists. Oral Sciences utilizes cutting edge biomedical technology and knowledge to address basic and clinical research questions of importance for promoting and maintaining oral health. This interdisciplinary research training program will lead to a graduate degree with a focus in cancer biology; wound healing; tissue regeneration; cellular, molecular, and development biology; biomaterials science; microbiology/immunology or other biomedical field relevant to oral disease and health. The program also offers an opportunity to integrate the Ph.D. training with a D.D.S. or dental specialty training.
- Degree Requirements
- To complete the degree, candidates must complete Graduate College minimum requirements as well as the following program requirements:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required
- 96 (including research). Requirements may be waived for any course if proficiency is demonstrated.
- Course Work
- Required Core Courses:
- GCLS 501, Biochemistry
- GCLS 502, Molecular Biology
- GCLS 503, Cell Bio. & Integrative Physiology
- GCLS504, Research Methods I
- GCLS 505, Research Methods II
- GC 401, Sci Integrity & Responsible Research
- GC 470, Essentials for Animal Research) if research involves animals
- Additional requirements include:
- Bstt 400, Biostatistics I
- Bstt 401, Biostatistics II
- OSCI 580, Adv Oral Sciences I
- OSCI 581, Advanced Oral Sciences II
- OSCI 599, Doctoral Thesis Research
- OSCI 594, Special Topics in Oral Sciences (min. of 4 credit hours)
- Students will also complete three laboratory rotations (OSci 583) for a minimum of 6 credit hours and the curriculum for their specific track concentration.
- Required Concentrations: students must select one of the following
- Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology Concentration
- (12 credit hours) as follows:
- BCMG 513, Structure of Biopolymers
- GCLS 510, Integrative Biology
- GCLS 515, Receptor Pharm. & Cell Signaling
- PHYB 586, Cell Physiology
- Biomaterials Science Concentration
- (A minimum of 16 hours) from the following:
- BioE 494, Special Topics in BioE
- BioE 460, Materials in BioE
- BioE 550, Prin. in Tissue & Cell Engineering
- BioE 560, Processing & Properties of Structural Biomaterials
- BioE 594, Adv Spec Topics in BioE
- BioE 595, Seminar on BioE
- Pros 504, Dental Materials
- Microbiology/Immunology Concentration
- (12 credit hours) as follows:
- MIM 551, Advanced Immunology
- MIM 553, Molecular Biology of Viruses
- MIM 560, Microbial Pathogenesis
- MIM 594, Special Topics in Microbiology, Immunology, and Virology
- Plus four hours of additional elective offerings as negotiated with major advisor.
- The student and advisor may petition the Graduate Studies Committee to develop an individualized concentration consisting of a minimum of 12 credit semester hours.
- Candidates must also complete the following:
- Preliminary Examination: Required; written and oral
- Dissertation: Required including oral defense. Students must earn a minimum of 48 semester hours in OSCI 599 Doctoral Thesis Research.
- Additional information can be found on the Graduate College webpage.