Degree Title: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Name and Number: Translational Biomedical Science - PH4910

Department/Unit: Graduate College

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall

Program Mission: The doctoral program in Translational Biomedical Sciences (TBS) aims to train students to translate basic research effectively into enhanced healthcare outcomes for the entire population in fields such as biomedical research, bioengineering, drug development, informatics, communications, health policy and planning.

Program Learning Objectives:

• ability to perform biomedical research
• lead scientific teams
• engage the community in the quest for better health
• apply entrepreneurial approaches to health improvement
• contribute to reduce inequality in the access to healthcare

Program Overview: Translational biomedicine is a rapidly growing field within biomedical and public health research that seeks to improve the health of individuals and the community by turning discoveries into diagnostic tools, medicines, procedures, policies and education.

As a trans- and inter-disciplinary program, the purpose of the PhD in TBS is to prepare individuals to lead the implementation of the patient-centered health care of the 21st century. The PhD program in TBS transcends the model of a traditional disciplinary program, creating a flexible student-learning environment with a curriculum focusing on three main components:

• Translational core competencies
• Specific, individualized, knowledge content
• Research skills

The flexibility in design allows for different combinations of potential course work depending on the student’s prior education and experience. Additionally, the program combines formal educational activities such as case studies, problem-based learning in small groups, presentations, seminars, and laboratory group meetings, with informal gatherings between graduate students, scientists and faculty with experience in interdisciplinary team research, which will provide key networking opportunities.

The course work and related experiences throughout the PhD in TBS program provides students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to acquire and refine the skills necessary for teamwork, leadership and competitive success in the field of Translational Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, a deep knowledge within a specific cross-disciplinary study area will result in graduates who are experts in their field, with both depth and breadth of knowledge. Upon successful completion of the TBS program, graduates will be able to take advantage of their unique traits to lead scientific teams, engage the community in the quest for better health, apply innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to the improvement of the health of their community, and to reduce inequality in the access to healthcare.

Link to Program: www.ohio.edu/graduate/programinfo/tbs.cfmhttp://www.ohio.edu/graduate/programinfo/tbs.cfm

Graduation Requirements:

1. 90 Hours of graduatecredits beyond the BS/BA degree
2. Completion of three milestones
   • Milestone 1: Demonstration of acquisition of the core competencies for translational biomedical sciences.
     • one course in Biostatistics and/or Epidemiology (3 credits)
     • one course in Bioethics, TBS 5680 (3 credits) and one in Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit)
     • one course in Technical Writing (3 credits)
     • one course in Tools for Translational Research, TBS 5720 (3 credits)
     • one capstone course in Translational Competencies, TBS 6500 (3 credits)
     • two seminars in Translational Biomedical Sciences Career Development, TBS 6220 (2 credits) (Note: students in the TBS program are expected to attend this seminar every semester until graduation).
   • Milestone 2: Demonstration of the ability to conduct independent research and to communicate effectively the results of that work.
     • This is part of the process for admission to candidacy in the TBS doctoral program and fulfills the qualifying examination requirement.
   • Milestone 3: Demonstration of an in-depth knowledge of the specific subject, and successful defense of a research project that constitutes an original scholarly contribution towards the advance of translational biomedical sciences.
     • Following admission to candidacy, the student will formally select two mentors from different disciplines, and then form a doctoral advisory committee. In concert with this doctoral advisory committee, the student will define the dissertation topic and prepare a written research proposal in the format of (or substantially equivalent to) an NSF or NIH fellowship application. The doctoral advisory committee must approve this proposal by the fourth semester in the program. The doctoral advisory committee will be charged also with determining the appropriate elective course work, that is, the content knowledge in support of the dissertation research.

Culminating Experience: In milestone 3, all TBS students will complete a dissertation.

Admission Requirements: 

1. A bachelor’s/master’s degree in a relevant discipline
2. Transcripts of all previous academic work
3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation. The letters should be from individuals that can speak to your academic and research abilities. 
4. A Resume/CV
5. A personal statement that addresses the following areas:
   1. Future career goals and how the Translational Biomedical Sciences program would help you meet those goals.
   2. Expected research interest while in the program
   3. How your goals and research fit within the interdisciplinary nature of translational biomedical sciences
6. An essay detailing previous research experience and describing your current research interests. Indicate potential mentors among the faculty at Ohio University. Note that the interdisciplinary dimension of the TBS doctoral program requires you to identify at least two mentors from two different disciplines.
7. Official GRE test scores
8. International students whose native language or academic language of instruction is not English must meet the University English language proficiency requirements as stated in the Graduate Catalog, including a minimum TOEFL score of 90.
9. Questions should be addressed to the Translational Biomedical Sciences office:  (740) 593-9791 or TBS@ohio.edu