Prospective Students

As biomedical research moves forward in the 21st century, the lines between traditional scientific disciplines are almost gone. Accomplished researchers must possess more than an in-depth knowledge of one specific field – they need a broad understanding of principles and techniques from disciplines across the biomedical sciences. Since 1992, graduate students at Vanderbilt have received a comprehensive educational foundation for a successful career in biomedical research through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (IGP).

We provide a personalized, flexible approach to accommodate a wide range of educational backgrounds and specific interests. We have always had the goal of providing our students the strongest possible cross-disciplinary education, and we constantly update and modernize our topics, content, and approach to our curriculum.

With multiple core facilities and with the resources provided by the Biomedical, Research, Education, and Training (BRET) Office, students are supported in multiple ways throughout their graduate training.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at Vanderbilt University provides students with a supportive and  highly collaborative environment for pursuing advanced studies in biomedical sciences. As a result, our students are able to gain a broad perspective on their research and develop a deep understanding of the complex issues facing the field today. Please explore our website to learn more!

If you have a background mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, or engineering but limited biology, you may be interested in our sister program, the Quantitative and Chemical Biology program (QCB). This Ph.D. track, multidisciplinary program introduces elements of biology to students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree at the interface of the chemical, physical, and biological sciences. The curriculum prepares students for research careers in any area of biomedical research. Many students choose to work in interdisciplinary fields such as chemical biology, structural biology, imaging sciences, molecular and cellular biophysics, or systems biology.

Our online application for Fall 2025 will close on December 1, 2024.

Learn more about our Application Process and Requirements here.

The First Year IGP Program

The goals of the first year program are to provide students with a strong, broad background in biomedical and biological sciences and research methods. Courses are based on the most recent literature in the subject fields of the sections of the course. This means that lectures and discussions are heavily dependent on recently-published journal articles.

Students have the flexibility to explore their research interests from the offerings of the 11 participating departments and programs prior to choosing a laboratory for their dissertation research. Students rotate in four laboratories in their first year; at the end of that first year, students will join a department or program and become students in that department or program. Information on the research faculty are doing can be found on the individual department and program websites, and the BRET Training Faculty can be found here. Faculty profiles may be incomplete, but you can learn more by investigating their pages in their departments.

Please visit IGP Training Program to learn more about the first year curriculum.

Graduate School Fairs and Online Information Sessions

Below are dates and times for a series of online Zoom information sessions and workshops. Feel free to register for any that you might find helpful. Please note that all times are Central Time in the United States. To find out what time it is in your time zone, click HERE.

IGP and QCB Information Sessions:

Learn more about our IGP and QCB graduate programs, and ask any questions you may have about living and studying here in Nashville! Register below:

Thursday August 8 @ 4 PM Central Time

Monday September 9 @ 7 PM Central Time

Friday October 4 @ 10 AM Central Time

Wednesday November 6 @ 4 PM Central Time

Building a Strong Application to Graduate School:

This workshop will discuss the different components of your application to biomedical graduate programs, focusing on recommendation letters and CVs especially. Choose a date/time that works best for you.

Tuesday August 6 @ 12 noon Central Time

Thursday September 19 @ 4 PM Central Time

Monday October 7 @ 4 PM Central Time

 Monday November 4 @ 10 AM Central Time

There is also a virtual session about applying to graduate school offered by the AAMC GREAT Outreach Committee on 10/24.

Tips on Applying to Graduate School of Biomedical PhD Programs

Date & Time: Oct 24, 2024, 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Registration link: https://aamcorg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqfuCopj0rE9wDJCsmoW_6cTT_QPpeCATk#/registration

Are you thinking of pursuing graduate school as your next step? If so, this session is right for you! Applying to graduate school can be an exciting opportunity to grow scientifically and professionally and take that next step in your career. With so many important factors to consider when thinking about the BEST program for YOU, the application process can also feel daunting. As you start this journey, join the AAMC Group on Research, Education, and Training Outreach Committee to learn strategies and tips on choosing where to apply and how to prepare a strong application. Our panel of experts will provide an overview of the application process including factors to consider when choosing your list of programs, strategies for approaching personal statements, letters of recommendation, and general tips for success. Students who are actively applying for biomedical sciences doctoral programs are strongly encouraged to attend, but the session will also be useful for those planning ahead.

Writing Your Personal Statement for Graduate School:

This workshop will discuss statements for biomedical graduate school applications. How do you discuss your research? How do you approach discussing a challenge? What are components of strong and weak statements? While I will focus on Vanderbilt’s IGP and QCB prompt, the tips can be used for almost any statement you will write for graduate school applications. Choose a date/time that works best for you.

Tuesday September 10 @ 8 PM Central Time

Tuesday October 1 @ 12 Noon Central Time

Wednesday October 16 @ 4 PM Central Time

Tuesday November 5 @ 12 Noon Central Time

Interviewing for Biomedical Graduate Programs:

Have you been invited for an interview at a graduate program or do you just want to know what to expect? I will review different types of interviews and discuss what to expect and how to prepare for your interview. Choose a date/time that works best for you.

Tuesday December 3 @ 4 PM Central Time

Thursday December 12 @ 10 AM Central Time

Wednesday December 18 @ 12 Noon Central Time

Drop In Zoom Hours

As the December 1 application deadline draws closer, I will be having open Zoom drop in hours. If you have last minute questions about the program or questions about your application, just hop on the Zoom link, no appointment needed! Check in late October for days and times.

Would you like to meet a representative of our Biomedical Graduate programs? We would love to meet you too! We will be attending the following Graduate School Fairs, some of which will be virtual and free for prospective students. Please stop by so we can get to know you. You can also contact us with any questions you may have.