
Basic Biomedical Sciences
Put yourself at the forefront of research and discovery in medicine through a graduate degree in basic biomedical sciences. The M.S. or Ph.D. will equip you with an interdisciplinary foundation and robust research experiences as you begin your career in biomedical research.
Make a difference through biomedical research
Biomedical sciences bridges science and health care, producing research that promotes human health and expands our understanding and treatment of disease. By pursuing a graduate degree in basic biomedical sciences, you can gain the interdisciplinary foundation you need for a career in biomedical research.
As a basic biomedical sciences student in the USD Sanford School of Medicine, you will experience a hands-on and specialized education that prepares you to become a biomedical scientist. Our program prioritizes laboratory investigation and original research opportunities, providing you with access to robust facilities that help you find the answers to your questions. Here you'll find passionate and expert faculty who serve as research mentors while also actively producing their own research. This is an important part of our program, as we want you to access enhanced learning experiences and set yourself up for success pursuing a residency match. Our students have gone on to become toxicologists, doctors, epidemiologists, laboratory technicians and professors, among other careers in research and medicine. With notable funding opportunities, well-established research centers and close interaction between faculty and students, USD provides a robust and enriching education in basic biomedical sciences.
Become a biomedical scientist who has the experience, knowledge and connections necessary to thrive by studying basic biomedical sciences at USD.
Degrees & Offerings
Basic Biomedical Sciences (M.S.)
Master'sThrough the M.S. in basic biomedical sciences program, you'll gain an interdisciplinary graduate education in a variety of basic biomedical science areas. The program stresses laboratory investigation and original research under the direction of a faculty member, as well as flexibility and individual choice as you develop a program of study that fits your unique interests.
Basic Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.)
DoctoratePursue an interdisciplinary graduate education to begin your career in biomedical research. You can choose to specialize in cancer biology, cardiovascular biology, infectious diseases, molecular biology and genetics, neuroscience or physiology and pharmacology.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Cancer Biology (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in cancer biology will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in cancer biology and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Molecular Biology of the Gene and Modern Approaches in Cancer Biology.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Cardiovascular Biology (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in cardiovascular biology will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in cardiovascular biology and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Advanced Cardiac Biology and Neural Regulations of Cardiovascular Functions.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Infectious Diseases (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in infectious disease will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in infectious disease and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Advanced Immunology and Microbial Genetics.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Molecular Biology & Genetics (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in molecular biology and genetics will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in molecular biology and genetics and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Genetics of Human Disease and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Neuroscience (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in neuroscience will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in neuroscience and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Advanced Neuroanatomy and Behavioral Neuroscience.
Basic Biomedical Sciences: Physiology & Pharmacology (Ph.D.)
Doctorate with SpecializationThe Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences with a specialization in physiology and pharmacology will allow you to tailor your education to your unique interests as you begin your career in biomedical research. You will conduct dissertation research in physiology and pharmacology and take courses relevant to this specialization area, such as Signal Transduction.
Program Details
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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
Gain valuable, real-world professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation.
Stipend
In the basic biomedical sciences program, admitted students in research track programs are eligible to receive a fellowship stipend and reduced tuition. Recipients must work full time towards degree completion. Stipend is also contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
- The Ph.D. Research Graduate Assistantship stipend is currently $28,084 for the first full year ($2,340 per month)
- The M.S. Plan A Research Graduate Assistantship stipend is currently $14,042 annually ($1,170 monthly)
Tuition Reduction
- Fellows with resident student status receive an additional reduction in tuition and fees on top of the resident student tuition reduction (student portion = $4,893 annually for 21 credit hours).
- Fellows with non-resident student status receive a 62% reduction in tuition and fees (student portion = $5,601 annually for 21 credit hours).
- Credit hour tuition and fee details are listed on the USD tuition and fees page.
- You may be asked to assist faculty in some teaching, but this typically is limited to fewer than 20 hours per year.
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate chair of the department.
For more information and to apply for a graduate assistantship, visit the Graduate Assistantship webpage.
At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:
Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities
Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program.
IdeaFest
IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays.
Departments & Facilities

Parry Center
The Parry Center for Clinical Skills & Simulation is a state-of-the-art learning environment that allows collaboration among students and safely simulates real-patient experiences.
Faculty & Staff

Hands-on Learning. Cutting-edge Research.

Mentorship Unlocks Opportunity
Surprisingly Affordable
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Resident & WRGP
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MN Residents
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Non-Resident
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Tuition (9 cr.)
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3061.35
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4398.75
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5886.45
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Fees (9 cr.)
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497.7
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497.7
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497.7
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Books (estimate)
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360
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360
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360
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More About Tuition & Fees
This is an estimate tuition rate* per credit hour and other factors such as special fees associated with your program may change the cost of tuition. Tuition rates are subject to change.
If you are wondering about how to pay for graduate school, there are additional funding options to consider.