Division of Basic Science (DBS)

The Division of Basic Science includes over 250 faculty members who participate in one or more of eight inter-departmental doctoral research training programs.

AdmissionAdmission to the Division is through a common application process.  Applications are reviewed by a central admissions committee. 

The on-line application for Fall admission will open in August. The priority deadline will be December 15th, with a final application deadline of February 1st. Applicants are encouraged to have their application in and complete by the December 15th priority deadline as files are reviewed and interviews offered beginning in December. There is no fee to apply.

  CurriculumAll students in Biomedical Sciences at UT Southwestern except organic chemistry students share the experience of taking a common first year core course while they are deciding upon which research laboratory and which graduate program  to join.  In addition to teaching the fundamentals of modern biomedical sciences, this common experience promotes the spirit of collaboration and cross discipline interaction that are characteristic of UT Southwestern.  The core course offers 9 hours instruction in biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics.  The core course also teaches experimental design and methods for critical review of scientific literature. 

Students rotate through three different laboratories and in the spring of the first year join graduate programs and research laboratories.  A typical timeline for obtaining a Ph.D.  in Basic Sciences will see the student graduate in five years. 

For more information on courses offered please refer to the Southwestern Graduate School Online Catalog.