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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 250 Yale biological science faculty in all departments, both at the School of Medicine and on the main university campus.

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. Beginning in the fall of 2003, the tracks will be: (1) Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; (2) Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development; (3) Immunology; (4) Microbiology; (5) Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; (6) Neuroscience; (7) Pharmacological Sciences and Molecular Medicine; and (8) Physiology and Integrative Medical Biology. 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. 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.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
A strong background in the basic sciences, along with computer training, is expected.

Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development
No additional requirements or recommendations.

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.

Physiology and Integrative Medical Biology
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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