Biomedical Sciences, PhD Information

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Admission

The Biomedical Sciences, PhD program is now participating in the Graduate Centralized Application Service (GradCAS).

Applicants to the program must have:

A bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating as an EVMS student.
- If the bachelor’s degree was issued by a U.S. college or university, as a general rule it should be from a regionally accredited institution. However, the program may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
- Official transcripts from the awarding institution must specify the date upon which the degree was issued.
An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and graduate GPA combined).
- Admission is competitive; most accepted applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- This applies to international applicants only.
Successfully completed the following courses:
- General Biology (1 semester with lab)
- Additional Biology (1 semester with lab)
- Calculus and/or statistics (1 year)
- General Chemistry (1 year with lab)
- Organic Chemistry I (1 semester with lab)
- Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry (1 semester, lab not required)
- Physics (one semester; one year preferred)
An additional course in mathematics, computer science or chemistry may substitute for the second semester of physics.

Applicants must also have previous laboratory research experience, and we recommend that they take additional courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Transfer Credit Policy

Transfer of credit may be allowed for courses comparable to those offered in our program. Courses must have been taken at an accredited biomedical or biological sciences graduate program in the U.S. Grades of B or higher or a passing grade in a pass/fail course are required. The Biomedical Sciences PhD program may accept up to 12 transfer credits. Transfer credit will be determined by the program director in consultation with program faculty after matriculation of a student into the program.

Official transcripts must be sent to GradCAS. Test scores and supportive application documents should be electronically submitted or mailed to EVMS Admissions and Enrollment for Health Professions.

Technical Standards

The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training of the Biomedical Sciences PhD program are referred to as technical standards. These abilities and skills are essential for entry into most professional practice settings associated with these degree programs.

Observation Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory and tactile) in the lecture hall, laboratory and/or online settings.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, this example:
  - Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations and other imaging texts.
Communication Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate effective communication skills with other students, faculty members, laboratory staff members and scientific colleagues.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of verbal language.
  - Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.
  - Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.
  - Accurate and efficient expressive and receptive communication skills.
  - Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions.
Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
  - Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
  - Demonstrate ability to pursue a course of independent research in a laboratory setting, including the ability to plan and execute experiments.
Motor And Sensory Function Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical research laboratory duties.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples: Doctoral Degrees
  - Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory and tactile) to use laboratory equipment and perform experiments.
  - Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom and laboratories).
  - Physical stamina sufficient to complete the didactic and laboratory requirements, including prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
Behavioral And Social Attributes Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing laboratory professional.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
  - Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, students and other members of the research team.
  - Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes and values in roles, functions and relationships.
  - Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
  - Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty associated with technical difficulties in research or scientific review (e.g., criticism of ideas shared in written or oral presentations, manuscripts, etc.).
  - Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the EVMS Student Handbook and the program handbook.