Integrated Biomedical Sciences
About IBS
The Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) is an undifferentiated, first-year, core curriculum that serves as the entry point for seven doctoral programs housed in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. IBS provides exposure to cellular and molecular concepts in the biomedical sciences, development of interdisciplinary approaches necessary for innovative research, and flexibility in choosing a research emphasis among 186 faculty members in six departments. As part of IBS, students complete coursework, engage in biomedical research through laboratory rotations that facilitate selection of a dissertation mentor, and participate in research seminars.
The IBS curriculum is designed for students beginning graduate studies in the fall semester.
Students are admitted to IBS and, at the end of the IBS year, select their doctoral programs to pursue their dissertation research in one of these basic science departments:
IBS 601: Biomolecules and Metabolism
3 credit hours - Fall
An introductory graduate-level biochemistry course designed to provide a basic knowledge of molecular and biochemical principles necessary for advanced graduate study. Protein structure and function, enzyme catalysis, the generation and storage of metabolic energy, amino acid, nucleotide, and lipid metabolism and biological membranes and transport will be covered.
Prerequisites: CHE 105, 107, 230, and 232; BIO 150 and 152; or equivalents.
IBS 602: Molecular Biology and Genetics
3 credit hours - Fall
In introductory graduate-level course focused on molecular biology and genetics (concepts and techniques) necessary for advanced graduate courses. The course will emphasize basic genetic principles and the molecular mechanisms that underlie the regulated expression of genes, including transcription, mRNA processing and translation, as well as mechanisms of DNA replication/repair and recombination. Genetic engineering and other experimental approaches that are critical to molecular biology research will be covered.
Prerequisites: CHE 105, 107, 230 and 232; BIO 150 and 152; or equivalents.
IBS 607: Seminar
0 credit hours - Fall
Weekly seminar devoted to the presentation and discussion of classic and new research. May be repeated to a maximum of four times; two semesters are required as part of the IBS curriculum.
Prerequisite: Admission to IBS Curriculum.
IBS 609: Research
3 credit hours - Fall
Individualized laboratory and research experience under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated to a maximum of six credit hours. Two semesters required as part of IBS curriculum.
Prerequisites: Admission to IBS curriculum and consent of instructor.
IBS 610: Critical Scientific Readings
2 credit hours - Fall
The major emphasis of this course is to develop within students the ability to critically read, evaluate and critique papers in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Students will meet weekly for two hours in a small group setting to discuss papers, with all groups reading the same set of papers. Each group of students (5- 6/group) will meet weekly with one faculty member during the course of the semester. Grading will be based on attendance, participation, mock manuscript reviews, and student-led classes.
Prerequisites: Students are required to have taken IBS 601 and IBS 602 or to take IBS 601 and IBS 602 concurrently with this course.
IBS 611: Practical Statistics
2 credit hours - Fall
Practical Statistics will introduce students to basic statistical concepts and applications that are used in a majority of biomedical and translational research studies. The emphasis will be on "how" and "why" certain basic statistical applications are used rather than the theory behind various statistical methods. Students will cover materials using didactic lectures, examples of data from the primary literature, and homework problems.
Prerequisites: Some background in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and/or chemistry (including organic chemistry) at the graduate level is recommended. Courses such as BCH 401G, IBS 601, IBS 602, or IBS 603 would satisfy this recommendation.
IBS 603: Cell Biology and Signaling
3 credit hours - Spring
An introduction to cell biology and signaling focused on cell types and architecture, membrane structure, cytoskeleton, mitochondria, cellular mechanisms of development, cell division, cell cycle, apoptosis, necrosis and cancer. Emphasis will also be placed upon the signaling pathways controlling these processes.
Prerequisites: CHE 105, 107, 230 and 232; BIO 150 and 152; or equivalents.
IBS 606: Physiological Communication
3 credit hours - Spring
This course will consider the function of the mammalian organism from a perspective ranging from cells to organs, with an emphasis on physiological communication between organ systems. It will build upon the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) series of courses to allow the student to develop a truly integrative appreciation of biologic function.
IBS 607:Seminar
0 credit hours - Spring
Weekly seminar devoted to the presentation and discussion of classic and new research. May be repeated to a maximum of four times; two semesters are required as part of the IBS curriculum.
Prerequisite: Admission to IBS Curriculum.
IBS 608: Genomics and Bioinformatics Tools
2 credit hours - Spring
IBS 608 emphasizes genomics and bioinformatics approaches that are increasingly important in broad areas of biomedical science. These tools allow us to work with large data sets, analyze the transcriptomes of single cells and whole tissues, visualize data in sophisticated ways, do rigorous experimental design, and perform proper statistical procedures for these types of data. This is a hands-on, experiential course. It includes some lecture material but the emphasis is on computer exercises allowing students to learn tools by using them. In terms of teaching mechanism, this is an in-person course taught in a computer lab. However, be prepared to switch to on-line learning in the event of unusual circumstances, such as university-mandated virtual teaching or personal quarantine.
Prerequisites: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in IBS 601 and IBS602 is required. A prior course in statistics, such as IBS 611 Practical Statistics, is also required. A strong background in molecular and cell biology is highly recommended.
IBS 609: Research
3 credit hours - Spring
Individualized laboratory and research experience under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated to a maximum of six credit hours. Two semesters required as part of IBS curriculum.
Prerequisites: Admission to IBS curriculum and consent of instructor.
TOX 600: Ethics in Scientific Research
1 credit hour - Spring
The course will commence with an overview of good laboratory practices and present them as the basis of good scientific research, along with an overview of quality assurance and appropriate practices in data analysis and data interpretation. The course will then move to the ethics of human and animal experimentation and discuss the concepts of data and intellectual property, their ownership and access to them. The problems of reviewing other workers' intellectual property such as grant applications, research papers and other intellectual property will be addressed.
Prerequisites: Research experiences; consent of instructor.
Basic Science Departments
Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
The graduate program in the department of microbiology and immunology reflects the exciting advances which have occurred in microbiology, molecular genetics, cancer biology, and immunology over the last decade. The PhD training program is flexible and attempts to blend an appropriate mixture to didactic courses, seminar, research and independent study for each student. Our graduate students and postdoctoral fellows enjoy success in competing for positions in the academic, governmental and industrial sectors. Our funding base for research and graduate education has expanded and currently exceeds $5 million per year.
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Researchers in our highly interactive department utilize cutting-edge approaches to understand the molecular basis of disease, including work focused on cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
The collaborative nature of the department and the wide array of scientific approaches, from structural biology and biophysical methods to cell biological and organismal studies, also contribute to the exciting research environment.
Our PhD program combines excellent coursework designed to give students a solid foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology with high quality mentored research experiences which train our students to be successful scientists and independent thinkers prepared to go on to a variety of careers. Students from our programs have gone on to positions in a range of scientific areas, including academic research and teaching positions, industry positions, government positions and careers in science policy.
Neuroscience
The field of neuroscience is at the precipice of an unprecedented age of discovery. Recent advances in genetics and cellular and molecular biology have provided stunning insights into the mechanisms underlying many diseases and disorders of the nervous system. The advent of new tools and technologies has allowed neuroscientists to probe neural function at the molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral levels. The parallel development of scientific and technological advances has positioned us to translate basic science findings to relevant clinical outcomes. The multidisciplinary nature of neuroscience scholarship and research is one of the greatest strengths and most attractive aspects of the discipline.
Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
The department of pharmacology and nutritional sciences faculty are trained in the individual disciplines of pharmacology and/or nutritional sciences, with research emphases in the areas of brain cognition and aging, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes). This multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment focuses on the development of nutritionally-based concepts and pharmacologic entities for the treatment of chronic diseases. Since nearly every chronic disease is prevented and/or treated by a combination of lifestyle (e.g., nutrition) and pharmacologically-based therapies, the department's unique combination of research capabilities and expertise in these disciplines promises to have an immense impact on addressing chronic disease processes.
Physiology
The department of physiology is a diverse community of basic science researchers. Our areas of research include cardiovascular, neuroscience, metabolic disease and aging. Within those areas of research are 37 primary faculty members, 8 joint faculty members, 16 trainees, and numerous laboratory staff. Our award-winning investigators are making major advances in biomedical research. Our training programs are preparing scientists for successful careers in academia, industry, and government. Our education faculty touches the lives of over 2,000 undergraduate, professional and graduate students each academic year.
Toxicology and Cancer Biology
Our education mission is to provide students with an education in toxicology that is based on an understanding of biochemistry, physiology, molecular/cell biology and metabolomics, coupled with in-depth research experience on the mechanisms by which specific agents induce toxicity, and/or the basic cellular processes upon which environmental agents impact to cause disease.
Incident Reporting and Feedback
To maintain a safe, nurturing learning environment and culture, the Office of Biomedical Education encourages all learners to report any concerns or incidents that might detract from its mission. These concerns may range from a lack of professionalism or curriculum concern to reports of mistreatment. Please click on the link to report any observed incidents about UK College of Medicine faculty, staff, or students. The more detail provided, the more likely College of Medicine leadership will be able to reach an appropriate resolution. Every effort will be made to preserve the anonymity of the person reporting. College of Medicine leadership will not disclose any identifiable information unless the student gives explicit permission to do so.
Circumstances involving discrimination or harassment can be referred directly to the University of Kentucky Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927.