Biomedical Sciences

Yan Jiang
Whatever your interests or educational goals, the Department of Biomedical Sciences is available as an active resource to you. Please feel free to contact our central department office or any of our faculty and staff if you have questions with which we can help.
Program Homepage

At ISU we are dedicated to your success as a graduate student. As a first step, we have collected information on application requirements as well as links where you can find further information. We encourage you to explore.


Degrees Offered: 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)

  • Anatomy (M.S., Ph.D.)
  • Cell Biology (M.S., Ph.D.)
  • Pharmacology (M.S., Ph.D.)
  • Physiology (M.S., Ph.D.)

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.8 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 0.8 year (Methods)

Casey Smith

bmsgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-2440
Graduate Program Coordinator
Biomedical Sciences
2008 College of Vet Med
1800 Christensen Drive
Ames, IA 50011-1250

Learning Goals

  • Demonstrate knowledge of anatomical structures, their functions and their regional and systemic relationships with one another.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of physiological systems, their regulation and the functional units of organs and their microscopic anatomy.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacological principles, classes of therapeutic molecules and how they regulate cellular processes.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of subcellular components, their cellular function and their role in disease processes.
  • Form testable hypothesis and articulate research objectives that further scientific knowledge in the field.
  • Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing.

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 600
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 100
    IELTS 7.5
    PTE 68
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Applications for the 1-year MS program are accepted on a rolling basis, with no strict application deadline. February 1 for full consideration for MS/PhD fall assistantships. Applications accepted year round if funding is available.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions