Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
L-200 Sterling Hall of Medicine, 785.3735
Director
Lynn Cooley (lynn.cooley@yale.edu)
Fields of Study
As the broad field of biological and biomedical sciences has become more exciting,
it has also become more complex and demanding. The successful scientist today
can no longer be an expert in only one area or one technique, but must be able
to make use of information, technologies, and experimental strategies that ignore
the boundaries defined by traditional university departments. In the coming
decades, opportunities for research and scientific discovery will be greater,
but also more challenging, than ever before. A student interested in pursuing
a career in science should receive a breadth and depth of training in graduate
school that will define his or her ultimate goal, whether he/she chooses to
enter academia, industry, education, or any of the many other career opportunities
that will be available to young scientists.
To help meet this challenge, Yale faculty have reorganized their approach to
graduate education and formed the interdepartmental Combined Program in the
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Unique among graduate programs, BBS
gives entering students access to more than 225 Yale biological science faculty
in all departments, both at the School of Medicine and on the main university
campus. Moreover, in conjunction with the Bristol-Myers Squibb Educational Alliance
Program, in Wallingford, Connecticut, BBS gives students the opportunity to
gain firsthand experience in pharmaceutical research at one of the country's
most important centers for drug discovery.
The primary purpose of BBS is to provide an environment for graduate education
in modern biological and biomedical sciences that is both broad in scope and
rigorous in depth. BBS serves as a focal point for research, education, and
career development in the biological sciences and sponsors exciting initiatives,
including new courses (like genomics and informatics; and laboratory practicals
in confocal microscopy, immuno-cytochemistry, and molecular biology); informal
scientific exchanges (the Invertebrate Breakfast); the annual student-run Graduate
Student Research Symposium; career counseling and development; and numerous
social activities.
BBS is composed of the faculty in the departments of Cell Biology; Cellular
and Molecular Physiology; Experimental Pathology; Genetics; Immunobiology; the
Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program; Microbial Pathogenesis; Molecular Biophysics
and Biochemistry; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Neurobiology;
and Pharmacology; and it draws relevant faculty from various clinical departments.
The program is divided into several interest-based tracks whose identity may
change with the changing interests of faculty but at present comprise the following:
(1) Biological Sciences; (2) Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology; (3) Genetics
and Development; (4) Immunology; (5) Microbiology; (6) Molecular Biophysics
and Biochemistry; (7) Neuroscience; and (8) Pharmacological Sciences and Molecular
Medicine. Each track draws its faculty from several departments and has a specific
set of recommended courses and activities for first-year students. Entering
students apply to and then affiliate with a track, which places them with the
group of students and faculty that most closely reflects their interests. Nevertheless,
the courses, faculty, students, and, most important, laboratory research opportunities
in all tracks remain completely available at all times, regardless of a student's
primary track.
Entering students are admitted to Yale University as members of the BBS program
and generally affiliate with the track to which they initially applied. The
total number of students admitted each year is approximately sixty-five to seventy-five,
with between five and fifteen being admitted to any one track, depending on
the interests and quality of the applicant pool. A student remains a member
of the track for his or her first year and generally takes courses (with the
advice of the track adviser or director) and performs at least three three-month
rotations in a laboratory at Yale or in selected laboratories at the Bristol-Myers
Squibb facility. At the end of the first year students generally select an adviser
and also a department or academic program in which they take a qualifying examination
in the second year and through which they eventually will earn a Ph.D. Advisers
may be any full-time or affiliated Yale faculty member, regardless of their
department or the student's track.
For the duration of their studies all students receive a stipend, which increases
yearly, full tuition, health coverage, and a yearly allotment for travel to
scientific meetings or courses. Financial support comes from university fellowships,
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Training Grants, grants from foundations
and companies, and from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Educational Alliance.
Special Admissions Requirements
Entrance requirements to BBS are track-specific but include the following: GRE
General Test scores; relevant GRE Subject Test scores (strongly recommended
but not a strict requirement); undergraduate major in a relevant biological,
chemical, or physical science; three letters of recommendation addressing the
student's academic performance and/or laboratory training; and TOEFL exam scores
for students whose native language is not English. Track-specific requirements
are listed below.
Biological Sciences
No additional requirements or recommendations.
Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
In special cases, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores may be substituted
for the GRE General Test scores.
Genetics and Development
A strong background that includes biology and chemistry (both organic and physical
chemistry) and mathematics is recommended.
Immunology
It is preferred that students have taken courses in biology, organic chemistry,
biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physics, and mathematics. Actual course
requirements, however, are not fixed, and students with outstanding records
in any area of the biological sciences may qualify for admission. In special
cases, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores may be substituted for the
GRE General Test scores.
Microbiology
No additional requirements or recommendations.
Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry
Actual course requirements in a student's background area are flexible. Desirable
courses include biology; biochemistry; general, organic, and physical chemistry;
physics; and math.
Neuroscience
Most applicants have had course work in neuroscience, psychobiology, physiological
psychology, mathematics through calculus, general physics, general biology,
general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, or engineering.
Laboratory research experience is beneficial but is not a formal requirement.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores may be substituted for the GRE
General Test scores.
Pharmacological Sciences and Molecular Medicine
No additional requirements or recommendations.
Program materials and applications are available by request to John Alvaro,
Administrative Director, BBS Program, Yale University, PO Box 208084, New Haven
CT 06520-8084; telephone 203.785.3735; telefax 203.785.3734; e-mail, bbs@yale.edu;
Web site, info.med.yale.edu/bbs/.
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