D.M.D./Ph.D. Program Research Facilities

UConn School of Dental Medicine (SDM)

The UConn SDM is committed to training individuals who are broadly competent as general dentists and specialists in all the recognized clinical specialties. At the predoctoral level, we have offered a combined D.M.D./Ph.D. program in order to accommodate those students expressing an early commitment to research careers and wish to combine their pre-D.M.D. training with graduate research training leading to a Ph.D. At the postgraduate level, preference is given to individuals seeking the combination of advanced clinical training and doctoral level graduate education in basic biomedical or behavioral sciences in anticipation of a career in academic dentistry. There are nine certificate/residency programs in the SDM that may be combined with an advanced degree. These programs thrive in a special academic environment provided by a totally integrated health center containing all of the basic medical sciences, a hospital, a medical school, and a school of dental medicine. This environment and its resources provide the SDM with a unique opportunity to educate clinical scientists for careers in dental education and research at various points in their careers. The basic objectives of the institutional DST program proposed here are identical to the mission of the UConn SDM with regard to educating individuals dedicated to academic careers in oral health research and teaching.

The Graduate School: Biomedical Science Program

The University of Connecticut Graduate School offers advanced degrees in Fields of Study. These Fields of Study may offer specific areas of concentration. A Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Science is offered at the UConn Health Center campus. Within this Field of Study students may choose from seven areas of concentration: cell biology, developmental biology, immunology, genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, neuroscience, oral biology, and pharmacology. We anticipate that most students in the DSTP will study Oral Biology as their area of concentration. In addition, the Department of Behavioral Science and Community Dentistry offers a link to graduate degrees in the behavioral sciences and economics. These are multidisciplinary interdepartmental programs offered by the graduate faculty (faculty of the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine who hold joint appointments as faculty in the Graduate School. The Biomedical Science program offers graduate core courses in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, development biology, immunology, genetics, neuroscience and computer sciences. In addition, each area of concentration offers core courses and specialized courses.

The graduate student body is well organized and sponsors an annual student research day with oral and poster presentations. The University of Connecticut Health Center Research Advisory Committee financially supports the participation of graduate students at national meetings to present their work.