Molecular Medicine (PhD) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The PhD in Molecular Medicine provides rigorous research training for careers in academia or biotechnology, covering molecular-medicine research on diseases of the heart, liver, kidney, lung, muscle, skin, bone, intestine, vasculature, brain and eye. Dissertations may address disease mechanisms or treatment development.

Duration: 60 units minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses are BIOC 515, BIOC 573 (6 units), BIOC 581 and BIOC 582, with BIOC 573 each fall and spring from the second year and at least 4 units of dissertation. Remaining units come from electives or research, with a qualifying examination, annual research appraisal and oral dissertation defense.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

USC Graduate School (all graduate programmes): a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university. International applicants whose first language is not English demonstrate English proficiency; for PhD applicants, ISE-exam exemption scores are TOEFL iBT 100 with no less than 20 on each section (exams taken before 21 January 2026), IELTS Academic 7 with no less than 6 on each band, or PTE 68 with no less than 53 on each band. USC sets no university-wide minimum for admission and some departments set higher requirements.

Requirements published at program group level.

Duration: 60 units minimum

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