At the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), the seven basic science departments and programs created the first-year, interdisciplinary curriculum, the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS), to prepare students for career choices in the biomedical sciences. Classes begin the first week of August and all students are enrolled in a uniform fall curriculum. The fall curriculum is composed of seven courses, four of which are sequential and cover the basic elements of each participating program. During the spring semester, students are able to customize their curriculum and enroll in selective courses of their choice in a variety of different specialty areas. During both semesters, students also participate in 6-week long lab rotations with faculty mentors of their choice. Four lab rotations are required, though six rotation sessions are available. GPiBS students spend every morning in class and every afternoon in the lab getting hands-on experience. This allows students ample time in a variety of labs to make an educated decision on which graduate program and which mentor with whom they wish to complete their Ph.D. studies. Mentors are chosen at the end of the spring semester. There is never a fee to apply, and each student receives a $30,000 annual stipend, paid health insurance, and a full tuition and fee waiver. There is an on-campus student health & wellness clinic and all students have access to the student fitness club. All students who are in good academic standing will keep these benefits throughout their time in graduate school at OUHSC. The interdisciplinary nature of this program combines the expertise of over 120 participating faculty from all seven programs to provide students with the breadth of knowledge and technical acumen that is highly sought-after in today's competitive job market.
