World Renowned Institutes and Cutting Edge Research

The University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine is a research powerhouse, achieving international recognition for breakthroughs and advanced knowledge in diabetes, cancer, spinal cord injury, AIDS, marine science, and many other areas. Our centers of excellence are continually ranked among the nation’s best, including Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and the Diabetes Research Institute. And our new institutes such as Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miami Institute for Human Genomics, and the Center for Computational Sciences will further enhance research. The research conducted here continues to enrich the quality of life for people worldwide.

Professional Development Training

Our innovative first-year curriculum provides a foundation in biomedical research. Students have access to faculty mentors across our nine biomedical programs. They have the opportunity to explore various laboratories In year one to solidify their education and research trajectory. For years two through five, students match with a graduate faculty mentor to train with and complete their research / dissertation.
Your success is our success. Therefore, not only do we teach you science but we also provide training and resources for becoming a successful scientist, such as grant-writing skills, publishing research articles, making effective oral presentations and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Get Paid While Doing What You Love

Most students accepted into our PhD programs receive a tuition scholarship, health insurance coverage and an annual stipend of $28,000. Students accepted into our MD/PhD program receive a full-tuition scholarship to both medical school and graduate school, and an annual stipend while engaged in full-time graduate studies.
In 2008 the average salary of a life scientist holding a bachelor degree was approximately $40,000. Average salary of a life scientist holding a PhD was approximately $82,000.

Location, Location, Location

Located in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world, our students balance the hard work of rigorous academics with the unique experience of living in a city with true international flavor…

Degrees/Programs Overview

Programs in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) provides students a wide variety of research opportunities in the biological sciences across many disciplines and departments.

First–year students take a core curriculum that build a solid foundation in the biomedical sciences. The common coursework in the first semester ranges from molecules to cells to systems of human physiology. Lectures are balanced by breakout sessions, in which faculty members discuss the primary literature with students in small groups. Students have the flexibility to select breakout sessions that match their interests. The core curriculum also offers critical learning opportunities in biostatistics, genomic and analytical tools. In the second semester, students select individual modular courses offered in our eight disciplines. Students elect one to two of these per session. These courses cover topics of specific relevance to graduate programs or research topics. Students also complete a course in Biostatistics and a workshop in BioInformatics.

Program Affiliation 

Students complete three to four laboratory rotations in various disciplines during their first year. This opportunity allows students to explore their interests before selecting a program and dissertation mentor. Students match with mentors in specific programs and achieve program affiliation at the end of their first year in one of the following programs (for years two through five):

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Human Genetics and Genomics
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
• Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Physiology and Biophysics