The University of Nebraska Board of Regents today approved the Interdisciplinary Graduate
Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS), a new umbrella Ph.D. and training program that will reorganize six current UNMC basic science Ph.D.-granting programs.
The current Ph.D. programs being united under the IGPBS are those directed by the College of Medicine’s basic science departments, including:
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;
• Cellular and Integrative Physiology;
• Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy;
• Pathology and Microbiology;
• Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience; and
• The Cancer Research Graduate Program directed by the Eppley Cancer Institute.
The reorganization will allow the programs within the IGPBS to provide stronger interdisciplinary training in UNMC’s major research themes, provide consistency in UNMC’s high academic standards in areas such as admissions criteria, coursework standards and other areas, increase external funding for graduate training and make UNMC’s recruitment of graduate students more competitive nationally.
"UNMC’s major interdisciplinary research themes, such as cancer research or genetic research, will all benefit from having broader faculty participation in each of these interdisciplinary research areas," said Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs. "In addition, in a competitive job market for individuals with a Ph.D. in a biomedical field, the IGPBS umbrella will help to produce highly qualified biomedical Ph.D. recipients who are more competitive in the job market."
The IGPBS will primarily use the current administrative structure and resources, although two faculty-level co-directors will be appointed to lead the program.Dr. Davies noted that other medical schools that have implemented interdisciplinary doctoral programs report an increase in the number of qualified applicants.
In addition, "by strengthening interdisciplinary training through the reorganization of our graduate programs, we can better train students for truly interdisciplinary research and, at the same time, improve UNMC research infrastructure," he said.
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