Core Courses

Students must complete a minimum of two quarters of seminars listed below.

• BMSC 252: General Seminar in Biomedical Sciences

  Each quarter, seminar presentations from leading scientists focus on a specific disease-based research topic. In addition to the formal seminar, students participate and have the opportunity to host student-only lunch forums with invited speakers.(1 unit/quarter)

  Oral presentations by staff and visiting scholars on current research topics in the field of biomedical sciences. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable.

• BMSC 254: Graduate Seminar in Biomedical Sciences

  Oral reports by PhD students on current research topics in biomedical sciences. Students who present a seminar receive a letter grade; other students receive a Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC) grade. Course is repeatable.

Directed Research

Students must also complete a minimum of eight units of directed research.

• BMSC 299: Research for Dissertation

  Original research in the area selected for the advanced degree. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC).(1-12 units)

  Submission of quarterly Enrollment Request Form is required to obtain faculty/PI enrollment approval. Form can be obtained from the student services advisor.

Required Electives

Beyond the core courses and directed research, students must select a minimum of two courses from the following list. Additional courses from this list can be taken and applied towards the 36-unit program requirement. Please note course electives may not be offered every term. For the most up-to-date course offerings, visit the Schedule of Classes.

• BMSC 202: Molecular Basis of Disease

  Discussion of the molecular basis of disease with special emphasis on new developments and the broad application of approaches and techniques. Course is repeatable with consent of the student’s advisory committee; may be applied only once toward core requirements.(3 units).

• BMSC 222: Special Topics

  Oral presentations and intensive small-group discussion of selected topics in the area of special competence of each faculty member. Course emphasizes recent advances in the special topic area and varies accordingly (2 units/quarter).

• BMSC 223E: Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Pathogen Defense

  Integrative view of the human immune system and inflammation in health and disease. (3 units)

• BMSC 223F: Cardiovascular Physiology

  Integrative view of the human cardiovascular system in health and disease. (4 units)

• BMSC 223G: Renal Physiology

  Provides an integrative view of human kidney function and dysfunction. (3 units)

• BMSC 223I: Respiratory Physiology

  Integrative view of the human respiratory system in health and disease. (3 units)

• BMSC 223J: Gastrointestinal Physiology

  Provides and integrative view of the human gastrointestinal system in health and disease. (3 units)

• BMSC 260 A, B, C

  A survey of the mechanisms of common human diseases at the molecular, cellular and organ system levels and the multidisciplinary approaches used for their investigation. Instructional components include lectures, discovery in problem-based learning sessions, and independent study. (2 units/quarter)

  May be taken Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC) with consent of instructor and program director.

• BMSC 297: Directed Research

  Directed research in biomedical sciences performed prior to advancement to candidacy in preparation for dissertation projects. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable.

  Limited to students enrolled in Comprehensive Examination Plan after completion of 8 units of BMSC 299. It is recommended to consult with the Student Services Advisor before requesting enrollment.

• Interdisciplinary Curriculum

  Cell Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience: CBNS106, CBNS116, CBNS120, CBNS125, CBNS126, CBNS127, CBNS129, PSYC112, PSYC117, PSYC203B, PSYC207C, PSYC208

  Mechanisms of Gene Expression and Regulation Studies: BPSC148, BPSC234, CMDB201, CMDB 203, CS234, CS238, EEOB214, EEOB216, ENTX204, GEN203, GEN241, GEN242, GEN206, GEN220, MCBL221, STAT100A

Limited Enrollment

Enrollment for the following courses are limited to doctoral degree students. For more information, please consult with the student services advisor.

Electives for Dual Degree Students Only

Dual degree program is only available to current UCR medical students with prior consultation with SOM executive associate dean for student affairs and master's program director. MDCL courses are only permitted for dual degree students (ie. MD/MS).

• MDCL 231: Foundations of Medicine

  Covers basic principles of disease processes, genetics, and molecular, cellular, and development biology. Instruction is driven by cases and accomplished through lectures and discovery in small group discussions, laboratories, and conferences. Also covers aspects of anatomy, doctoring, patient examination, and the longitudinal ambulatory clinical experience. Includes problem-based learning (7.5 units).

• MDCL 232: Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory Sciences

  Covers physiology, pathophysiology, physical diagnosis; imaging in the cardiovascular, renal; respiratory sciences. Instruction is driven by cases; accomplished through lectures; discovery in small group discussions, laboratories; conferences. Also covers aspects of anatomy, doctoring, patient examination; the longitudinal ambulatory clinical experience. Includes problem-based learning. (12 units)

• MDCL 233: Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, and Reproductive Health

  Covers biochemistry, pathophysiology, physical diagnosis; imaging associated with gastrointestinal endocrine; reproductive health. Instruction is driven by cases; accomplished through lectures and discovery in small group discussions, laboratories; conferences. Also covers aspects of anatomy, doctoring, patient examination; the longitudinal ambulatory clinical experience. Includes problem-based learning. (10 units)

• MDCL 234: Musculoskeletal Medicine

  Covers the musculoskeletal system, biology; pathology of the peripheral nervous system; physical diagnosis. Utilizes lectures; case studies to accomplish course objectives. Promotes discovery of learning by small group discussions, laboratories; conferences. Also covers aspects of anatomy, doctoring, patient examination; the longitudinal ambulatory clinical experience. Includes problem-based learning. (4 units)

• MDCL 235: Clinical Neurosciences

  Covers neurobiology; provides an introduction to neurology; psychiatry, as well as physical diagnosis; imaging of the nervous system. Utilizes lectures; case studies to accomplish course objectives. Promotes discovery of learning by small group discussions, laboratories; conferences. Also covers aspects of anatomy, doctoring, patient examination; LACE. Includes problem-based learning. (5 units)