All of our Ph.D. students enter through the Integrated Biomedical Science Program. The program provides a common core of coursework and allows you to conduct research rotations in a variety of research labs in colleges and schools across USC, such as the College of Pharmacy and the College of Arts and Sciences. You'll also complete a teaching assistantship on the main USC campus during your first year. The goal of your first year is to have a wide range of experiences to help you decide exactly what you would like to research.

 

Find Your Place

Choosing your research mentor is one of the biggest decisions you will make during your Ph.D. program. While we encourage you to have an idea of who you would like to work with before you apply, we also give you the opportunity to explore all your options. Our goal is to ensure you find a place working in a research lab with a mentor who shares your interests and passions. Once you find that person, you'll discuss your research goals with them and together you'll decide whether or not their lab is the right fit for you. 

 

Get Funding 

Nothing helps you stand out better for post-doc or job opportunities than being a funded, pre-doctoral student. Our graduate students are known for their ability to secure national grants from places such as NIH, the American Heart Association and the Duke Endowment. Many of our students start by receiving funding through the university's SPARC program.

 

How to Apply 

Students can apply to the Ph.D. program through the Graduate School.