University of Virginia Health System

The BIMS Graduate Program represents an amalgamation of the faculty in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology and in the School of Medicine, as well as affiliated BIMS Departments/Programs in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and School of Engineering at the University of Virginia. BIMS also has a significant number of clinician investigators from various School of Medicine departments. The program is divided into several interest-based "Groups” whose identity may change with the changing interests of faculty and shifts in biomedical technology and priorities, but at present comprise the following: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics; Biomedical Engineering; Cell and Developmental Biology; Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases; Molecular Medicine and Systems Biology; Neuroscience; and Structural & Computational Biology and Biophysics.

Each BIMS graduate Group draws its faculty from multiple departments and has a specific set of recommended courses and activities for students. Entering students apply to, are admitted toand then affiliate with a Graduate Group, thereby placing them with that cohort of students and faculty that most closely reflects their scientific interests. Nevertheless, the courses, faculty, students, and most importantly, laboratory research opportunities in all Groups remain completely accessible at all times, regardless of a student's Graduate Group affiliation. Most students also elect to affiliate with one of our many Advanced Graduate Training Areas that offer an wide range of opportunities for research and professional training in select areas of contemporary research including Biotechnology, Cancer, Cardiovascular Research, Cell and Molecular Biology, and many more. Molecular Pharmacology. These advanced opportunities may evolve over the course of the first year, or for students who have already identified a specialty area may be initiated immediately. We feel that this design is unique among major biomedical research institutions in the country and offers students the optimum blend of flexibility as well as immediate opportunities for specialization.

Integration of training through the BIMS Graduate Program Groups is accomplished through many mechanisms including offering graduate core courses, school wide orientation activities, a monthly Distinguished Lecture Series, an Annual BIMS Poster Symposium, an annual student run Graduate Biosciences Society Spring Research/Student Awards Symposium, specialized training workshops (e.g. on research ethics, grant writing, use of gene databases, etc.), career workshops/symposia, and numerous social activities.

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