{"id":33,"date":"2023-08-16T17:03:22","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T17:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/?page_id=33"},"modified":"2026-09-23T22:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T22:36:09","slug":"prospective-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Prospective Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--hero-primary horizontal-navigation\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--hero-primary\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper has-horizontal-nav\">\n\n          <div class=\"title-wrapper\">\n\n                  <div class=\"eyebrow-container\">\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/\" >PIBBS Home<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n      <h1>Prospective Students<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n              <\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--link eyebrow-link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n\n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/apply-to-pibbs\/\"\n    >\n        Apply Now to PIBBS\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n    \n      \n              <div class=\"horizontal-nav\">\n                      <div class=\"horizontal-menu-container\">\n              <button class=\"expand-menu\">\n                                  In This Section\n                                <svg class=\"menu\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n                  y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" d=\"M4,23h3v3H4V23z M4,16h3v3H4V16z M10,23\n                  h21v3H10V23z M10,16h21v3H10V16z M10,9h21v3H10V9z M4,9h3v3H4V9z\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n\n                <svg class=\"close\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\"\n                  viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <polygon fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"26,10.4 24.6,9 17.5,16.1 10.4,9 9,10.4 16.1,17.5\n                  9,24.6 10.4,26 17.5,18.9 24.6,26 26,24.6 18.9,17.5 \"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/button>\n\n              <nav\n  class=\"mc--menu mc--\"\n  >\n  <ul class=\"m--menu m--\">\n    \n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-7 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/\" >PIBBS<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for PIBBS\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-328\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/inclusive-excellence\/\" >Inclusive Excellence<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-28 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/about\/\" >About<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for About\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-30\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/about\/associate-deans-corner\/\" >Associate Dean\u2019s Corner<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-34 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/\" >Prospective Students<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Prospective Students\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-36\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/apply-to-pibbs\/\" >Apply to PIBBS<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-40\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/recruitment-interview-visit\/\" >Recruitment Visit<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/recruitment-schedule\/\" >Recruitment Schedule<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-44 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/\" >PhD Programs<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for PhD Programs\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-46\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/cancer-biology-and-genomics\/\" >Cancer Biology and Genomics<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-54\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/development-stem-cell-and-regenerative-medicine\/\" >Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-61\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/infectious-diseases-immunology-pathogenesis\/\" >Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Pathogenesis<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-71\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/medical-biophysics\/\" >Medical Biophysics<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-195\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/phd-programs\/molecular-medicine\/\" >Molecular Medicine<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-258 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/\" >PIBBS Faculty<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for PIBBS Faculty\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-272\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/cbg-faculty\/\" >CBG Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-271\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/dsr-faculty\/\" >DSR Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-269\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/idip-faculty\/\" >IDIP Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-270\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/mbph-faculty\/\" >MBPH Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-277\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/pibbs-faculty\/mmed-faculty\/\" >MMED Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-77 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/student-resources\/\" >Student Resources<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Student Resources\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-84\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/student-resources\/student-forms\/\" >Student Forms<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-86\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/student-resources\/student-involvement\/\" >Student Involvement<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-89\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/student-resources\/pibbs-alumni\/\" >PIBBS Alumni<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-122\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/student-resources\/pibbs-spotlights\/\" >PIBBS Spotlights<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-174\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/contact\/\" >Contact<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <\/ul><!-- m--menu -->\n<\/nav>\n\n            <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <h3 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"30\" data-lineheight=\"45px\">Empowering the Bright Medical Researchers of the Future<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS) program is designed for students who are interested in earning a PhD in the biomedical sciences in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. In addition to providing students with rigorous training toward the PhD degrees, PIBBS provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of research interest, through laboratory rotations and core courses that provide a solid biomedical foundation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIBBS focuses on preparing students for their research career and offers a grant writing course, as well as a full range of professional development workshops for career preparation and advancement.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--editorial-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--editorial-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n      <h2>\n          Deadlines and Requirements\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"cards-container\">\n        \n          <div class=\"card\">\n\n            \n                                            \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a\n      href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/apply-to-pibbs\/\"\n            aria-label=\"Apply to PIBBS\"                >\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091823_b0032-320x180.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091823_b0032-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091823_b0032-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091823_b0032-320x180.jpg 320w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                alt=\"Students sitting in a circle\"\n\n                \n        \n                \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"text-container\">\n              \n                                              <span class=\"card-title\">\n                                          <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/apply-to-pibbs\/\" >\n                    \n                      Apply to PIBBS\n\n                                          <\/a>\n                                      <\/span>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our application deadline is <\/span><b>November 15<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for full consideration. We require a:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.0 Minimum GPA<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No GRE Required<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 Letters of Recommendation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Demonstrated research experience<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Personal statement<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Research statement.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">The nonrefundable application fee is $120.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We do not require GRE scores. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find the full step-by-step application process, required materials, and how to submit official transcripts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n\n          <\/div>\n        \n          <div class=\"card\">\n\n            \n                                            \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0005-320x180.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0005-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0005-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0005-320x180.jpg 320w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                alt=\"Students walking up and down stairs\"\n\n                \n        \n                \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"text-container\">\n              \n                                              <span class=\"card-title\">\n                    \n                      Financial Support\n\n                                          <\/a>\n                                      <\/span>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p dir=\"ltr\">We provide every PIBBS student a stipend, full tuition, and health, dental, and vision coverage for as long as they remain in good academic standing. For academic year 2026-27, our annual stipend is $44,345. In year one, this support comes through the PIBBS program.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Once a student joins a thesis lab in year two, their faculty mentor becomes financially responsible for the student&#8217;s stipend and fees through completion of the thesis, typically through lab grants or fellowship funding.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Teaching assistantships are not required. Students who want teaching experience are welcome to take one on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n\n          <\/div>\n        \n          <div class=\"card\">\n\n            \n                                            \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a\n      href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/recruitment-interview-visit\/\"\n            aria-label=\"Recruitment Visit\"                >\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0003-320x180.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0003-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0003-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/09\/USC_Keck_091923_b0003-320x180.jpg 320w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                alt=\"Students holding a bike walking across campus\"\n\n                \n        \n                \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"text-container\">\n              \n                                              <span class=\"card-title\">\n                                          <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/pibbs\/prospective-students\/recruitment-interview-visit\/\" >\n                    \n                      Recruitment Visit\n\n                                          <\/a>\n                                      <\/span>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once we advance your application for acceptance, we invite you to campus for an interview and cover your travel, lodging, and most meals. Your visit includes a welcome dinner with current students, a program overview, one-on-one faculty interviews, a faculty luncheon, and a campus tour. If you live outside the continental United States, a member of our admissions committee interviews you by phone or video instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get the full schedule for your visit, our dress code guidance, and how the international interview process works.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n\n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--stacking-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--stacking-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n    \n  <div class=\"outer-wrapper\">\n    <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"header-container\">\n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n      <h2>\n          PIBBS Lifecycle\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the first two years of the PhD program, students focus on their research while solidifying their knowledge base by taking classes on topics of relevance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              <\/div>\n      \n                <div class=\"cards-container\">\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                                                                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n    \n      <h3>\n          Year 1\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIBBS students take a total of 25 units, which includes both classroom and laboratory work over the fall, spring and summer semesters. At the end of year 1, students select the mentor\/lab and the PhD program that best fits their research project.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                                                                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n    \n      <h3>\n          Year 2\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students take courses tailored to their PhD program and research interests. They must complete the Qualifying Exam, which includes a condensed version of a written National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 fellowship proposal and an oral defense of their research project.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                                                                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n    \n      <h3>\n          Years 3-5\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students focus fully on their research, developing their project, attending conferences and professional development workshops, and writing and defending their thesis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIBBS students are also trained in giving research presentations by participating in their PhD programs seminar series, in which all aspects of their talks are critiqued by their peers. An individual development plan (IDP) and periodic meetings with the students\u2019 thesis committees provide scientific support, ensuring progress toward the PhD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the time the students defend their thesis, they are experts in their field and will have achieved considerable independence, providing outstanding preparation for a postdoctoral fellowship or other science-related careers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n          <\/div>\n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <h4 class=\"line fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"30\" data-lineheight=\"45px\">PIBBS Core Curriculum<\/h4>\n<p class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"24\" data-lineheight=\"36px\"><strong>Fall Semester \u2013 12 units<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>INTD 500: Ethics and Accountability in Biomedical Research<\/li>\n<li>INTD531: Advanced Cell Biology<\/li>\n<li>INTD561: Molecular Biology<\/li>\n<li>INTD790: Research<\/li>\n<li>Faculty Research Presentation<\/li>\n<li>Rotation 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"24\" data-lineheight=\"36px\"><strong>Spring Semester \u2013 12 units<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose 2 of the following:\n<ul>\n<li>PM549: Human Molecular Genetics and Genomics<\/li>\n<li>INTD549: Protein Chemistry \u2013 Structure and Function<\/li>\n<li>DSR626: Bioinformatics Methods \u2013 Transcriptome and Chromatin Analysis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>INTD790: Research<\/li>\n<li>Rotations 2 &amp; 3<\/li>\n<li>Final Lab Selection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"24\" data-lineheight=\"36px\"><strong>Summer Semester \u2013 6 units<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>INTD500: Ethics and Accountability<\/li>\n<li>PM510L: Applied Biostatistics<\/li>\n<li>Program Specific Requirement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-33","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Prospective Students - Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Applying to PIBBS? 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