About Biomed: Biotechnology in Brown University

The program offers a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and a combined M.D./Ph.D. for students simultaneously enrolled in the medical school. The program is designed for students interested in a range of topics related to the field of biotechnology including drug and gene delivery, prosthetic devices, cancer therapeutics, vascular grafts, tissue engineering, disease diagnostic assays and bioartificial organs.

The Division of Biology and Medicine at Brown University offers a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology, as well as the combined M.D./Ph.D. for students simultaneously enrolled in the medical school. The graduate program is offered by the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, and is designed for students interested in a range of topics related to the field of biotechnology including drug and gene delivery, prosthetic devices, cancer therapeutics, vascular grafts, tissue engineering, disease diagnostic assays and bioartificial organs.

The educational objective of the program is to promote an understanding of the designs and materials used in novel cell and drug delivery systems; the cellular, molecular, and structural aspects of tissue material interfaces; the potential of bioderived, biomimetic, and biomolecular materials; the function of tissues regenerated on bioresorbable scaffolds or surviving within immunoprotective synthetic membranes; and the surgical techniques required for successful implants. Active areas of research include; vascular grafts, bioadhesive drug delivery systems, nerve guidance channels, brain implants, bone and cartilage remodeling systems, endocrine organs, artificial skin, blood oxygenators, microscale genomic and proteomic diagnostics, and cell encapsulation strategies.

Entering students are expected to have undergraduate qualifications in the life and physical sciences, typically evidenced by a B.S. or B.A. degree in biology, biophysics, chemistry, physics or materials science. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of at least three years of full–time resident commitment to the discipline, an approved sequence of course work, a qualifying examination, research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation, and a final oral examination. For students entering with an undergraduate degree, 4 and 1/2 years are generally required to complete the Ph.D. degree. The M.D./Ph.D. requires an additional three years beyond the medical school curriculum. The first two years of medical school typically precede the Ph.D. program, and the two clinical years follow the completion of the Ph.D. dissertation.

The educational objectives of the Biotechnology program include:

• To prepare students for careers of constructive service to society in academia, government, industry and health related fields.
• To engage committed students in areas not experienced in their previous academic lives and to bring them to a baseline that will allow them to conduct translational research, from conceptual design through in vivo testing with an eye towards clinical implementation.
• To provide interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities to solve problems that will improve the quality of life for those suffering from health–related diseases and disorders.
• The program's primary emphasis is on the fundamentals of polymer chemistry, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and micro–devices. It also allows students to personalize their curriculum. This exciting program prepares students for careers in biomedicine, pharmacy, and biotechnology, as well as careers in diverse areas such as medicine, law, business, government and health care delivery. Biotechnology students learn to apply the principles of biology, medicine and science, along with problem solving skills and critical thinking to a broad spectrum of problems in biotechnology and medicine.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree 

English language requirements 

• IELTS : 7.0
• TOEFL IBT: 90

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