• Hugo Guerrero Cazares, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director
• Quinn P. Peterson, Ph.D., Associate Program Director – Rochester Campus
• Clifford D. Folmes, Ph.D., Associate Program Director – Arizona Campus
• Tsuneya Ikezu, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Program Director – Florida Campus

Admission

Appointment Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program, applicants must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average based on a 4.0 scale and supply the official transcript.
   1. It is strongly recommended that candidates have completed at least one year of coursework, with demonstrated competence (B average or above), in the following undergraduate courses: biology, calculus, chemistry and physics.
   2. In addition, foundation courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and physiology are highly recommended. Biomedical Engineering and Physiology students are encouraged to have courses in quantitative science and engineering (e.g., signal processing, computer science, instrumentation).
2. Foreign applicants must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency to be considered for an appointment.  This can be satisfied via the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or via other method as described on the English Language Proficiency Attestation.
3. Each track may establish additional requirements.
4. Applications will only be considered for review if they are submitted within the application submission window of September 1 – December 1 each year, for appointment in the following academic year.

Authority to make appointments rests with the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Education Committee.  Falsifying or omitting information on or accompanying the application may disqualify an applicant from admission or subject a student to dismissal. The application and supporting documents become the property of MCGSBS upon receipt.  The average number of years to degree is 5.2.

Inquiries regarding admission to the MCGSBS Ph.D. Program should be sent to this inquiry form. 

Admissions/Financial Support 

• PhD students are fully supported through a guaranteed internal fellowship for five years, eliminating the need to identify a faculty member to provide financial support. The annual base stipend for PhD students funded by Mayo Clinic for the 2024-2025 academic year is $40,000, deposited electronically bi-monthly in the student’s bank of choice. The annual tuition fee is waived in full ($27,000).
• Appointment and funding are conditional on remaining actively enrolled in the program, continuously meeting the qualifications, standards and requirements of the program and track.
• Funding may consist of graduate school, external fellowships and/or internal scholarships. 
• Students are appointed for five years with designated program start and end dates. 
• If required training exceeds the appointment length, a request for extension may be made for consideration. All extension requests require graduate school approval and funding to cover all student costs during the extension period are typically paid by the student’s mentor.
• Training must be completed within a maximum of seven years, regardless of funding availability.
• Students who enter MCGSBS with pre-awarded Mayo department/division funding will continue under the terms of any such arrangements throughout the duration of their PhD training.

Transfer Credits 

A total of 21 credits may be transferred into the Ph.D. Program. For more details, see the Credit Transfer and Waiver Policy on the MCGSBS Policies and Procedures intranet site.

Course Work

The curriculum for the Predoctoral degree consists of 68 credits, which can include a maximum of 24 Research credits.  

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MGS
MGS 6000	Responsible Conduct of Research	1
MGS 5000	Foundational Skills	1
MGS 5050	Critical Thinking and Scientific Writing 1	2
MGS 5051	Critical Thinking and Scientific Writing, Part II	1
MGS 5010	Rigor, Reproducibility, and Experimental Design	1
MGS 5020	Statistics for Biomedical Research	1
MGS 5030	Core Concepts in Genome Dynamics, Biochemistry, and Cellular Biology 1	3
Lab Rotations 2
6 credits maximum, a minimum of 3 rotations
MGS 5102	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
MGS 5107	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
MGS 5108	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
Track Requirements
REGS 5230		1
REGS 5300	Stem Cells & Development	3
REGS 5800	Developmental Biology	2
REGS 6300	Experimental Methods in Regenerative Sciences	1
REGS 6400	Regenerative Tissue Engineering Principles (RTEP)	4
REGS 6500	Introduction to Translational BioProduct Development	2
REGS 6820	Principles to Practice	2
Research
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research (3 cr./qtr x minimum 8 terms) 4	24
Advanced Coursework
Select 13 credits 5		13
Recommended Elective Courses
REGS 5200	Fundamentals of Regenerative Sciences
REGS 5210	Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Surgery
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine 6
REGS 6700	Genomic and Epigenomic Data Integration
IMM 6865	Regenerative T Cell Immunotherapy and Cellular Engineering
IMM 5100	Basic Graduate Immunology
BMB 5100	Chemical Principles of Biopolymer Systems
BMB 5250
CTSC 5020	Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research
CTSC 5025	Introduction to Regulatory Science
CTSC 6100	Mechanisms of Human Disease
CTSC 6120	Case Studies in Translation
VGT 5700	Virology and Gene Therapy
MPET 5900	Molecular Pharmacology and Receptor Signaling
MPET 6813	Tutorial in Systems Pharm.
NSC 6210	Neurobiology of Disease
NSC 6857	Systems Neuroscience and Behavior
NSC 6862	Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Total Hours		68

¹

M.D.-Ph.D. students may exclude these in accordance with M.D.-Ph.D. requirements.

²

M.D.-Ph.D. students satisfy this requirement with three one-month full-time rotations.

³

Three credits maximum, (1 cr./yr.) starting year 2

⁴

Directed research projects under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students must enroll every quarter once a thesis laboratory is selected for the remainder of program, usually beginning in year 3.

⁵

In addition to the core and track requirements, elective courses should be selected after consultation between the student, their mentor, and the program director/associate program director, based on area of emphasis. 

⁶

REGS students are required to enroll in REGS 5500 each year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). 3 credits of REGS 5500 may be counted as elective credits. 

Potential Pathways to Elective Credits

The following pathways can help you obtain a REGS degree “emphasis” with elective credits.

Regulatory Science in Regenerative Medicine Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CTSC 5020	Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research	1
CTSC 5025	Introduction to Regulatory Science	1
CTSC 6120	Case Studies in Translation	2

Data Science in Regeneration Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MPET 6813	Tutorial in Systems Pharm.	2
BMB 6150		2
REGS 6700	Genomic and Epigenomic Data Integration	2

Regenerative Genetic Engineering and Immunology Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IMM 5100	Basic Graduate Immunology	3
VGT 5700	Virology and Gene Therapy	3
IMM 6865	Regenerative T Cell Immunotherapy and Cellular Engineering	3

Regenerative Neuroscience

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NSC 6210	Neurobiology of Disease	3
NSC 6857	Systems Neuroscience and Behavior	3
NSC 6862	Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience	3

Qualifying Exams and Thesis Research

Written Qualifying Examination (WQE)

The written qualifying examination tests your breadth of biomedical knowledge, as well as your analytical and critical reasoning skills and is intended to evaluate whether a student has sufficient knowledge and competency in regenerative sciences to continue to PhD candidacy. This examination must be completed before the end of your second year in the program. The REGS Education Coordinator will assist you in ensuring completion of this exam on schedule. 

For the WQE, students will develop a research question and prepare a submission-ready pre-doctoral grant application (F31 or equivalent). The pre-doctoral grant will be reviewed by faculty and a passing grade granted for completion of the WQE. The grant proposal will be evaluated to determine the student’s understanding of the field of regenerative sciences, ability to establish a research plan to address the proposed question and ability for independent thought.

The following courses must be completed before you take the exam:

• MGS 5010 Rigor, Reproducibility, and Experimental Design
• MGS 5020 Statistics for Biomedical Research
• MGS 5030 Core Concepts in Genome Dynamics, Biochemistry, and Cellular Biology
• REGS 5300 Stem Cells & Development
• REGS 5800 Developmental Biology
• REGS 6400 Regenerative Tissue Engineering Principles (RTEP)
• REGS 6820 Principles to Practice

*Courses must be completed or students must be concurrently enrolled at the time of the exam.

Oral Qualifying Examination (OQE)

For the oral qualifying examination, students will be evaluated on their theoretical and practical knowledge in the regenerative sciences.  Students will defend their thesis research proposal to the Oral Qualifying Exam Committee. The proposal should summarize the goals, methods, and rationale for the research project. This examination must be completed before the end of your second year in the program. The guidelines for this oral presentation are available from the REGS Education Coordinator.  The oral examination is composed of two or three parts. The first part will be an oral presentation by the student of their proposal; the second part will be a discussion between the student and the committee about this proposal.

If there were any conditional elements or weaknesses identified at the time of the written qualifying exam, the committee may then add a third part to the oral examination which will include a wide-ranging discussion of either the area of deficiency or course work material covered by the student during the first two years. Students will be notified after their written qualifying examination whether this third component should be expected during the oral qualifying exam.

Formation of Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)

REGS students are strongly advised to form a TAC by the end of their first year and within 90 days of mentor selection to support their experiential training. TAC formation at this early stage will help the student and mentor chart progress through coursework, qualifying exams, and project development.  TAC members may change during PhD studies. Early TAC formation should be viewed as a starting point to aid the student in formulating specific aims that will form the basis of the thesis proposal. Including a TAC member external to Mayo Clinic is encouraged, but not required.

The student, their thesis mentor and the REGS predoctoral program director/associate director will establish a formal TAC to monitor the student’s thesis research progress. The TAC must be approved by the REGS Education Committee. This should be established no later than the beginning of the student’s second year. The student’s adviser is chair of the committee. Additional requirements regarding committee composition may be obtained from the REGS Education Coordinator.

Thesis Advisory Committee Meetings

Students are required to meet with their thesis advisory committee at least once every six months. At the meetings, the student will present progress on his, her, or their thesis project. The committee will offer advice, and an evaluation of the student’s progress will be discussed with the student at the end of the meeting.

Thesis Proposal

Students must complete a written thesis proposal, presentation, and thesis committee discussion of their proposal. This requirement may be accomplished during the written and oral qualifying examinations or at the first thesis committee meeting after advancement to candidacy. The student’s TAC must be approved prior to this committee discussion.

This is a suggested course sequence, based on a summer term start. Individual course plans may vary depending on true start date, program, and research interests. Be sure to confirm you have met your requirements using your degree planning tool. Course offerings may vary slightly. Current course offerings are posted in the course catalog.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
First Year - Summer Term
MGS 5000	Foundational Skills	1
MGS 5010	Rigor, Reproducibility, and Experimental Design	1
MGS 5020	Statistics for Biomedical Research	1
MGS 5030	Core Concepts in Genome Dynamics, Biochemistry, and Cellular Biology	3
MGS 5102	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
MGS 6000	Responsible Conduct of Research	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
First Year - Fall Term
MGS 5107	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
MGS 5108	Ph.D. Laboratory Rotation	2
REGS 5300	Stem Cells & Development	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1
REGS 6400	Regenerative Tissue Engineering Principles (RTEP)	4

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
First Year - Winter Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1
REGS 6400	Regenerative Tissue Engineering Principles (RTEP)	4
Electives		4

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
First Year - Spring Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1
REGS 5800	Developmental Biology	2
Electives		4

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Second Year - Summer Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
MGS 5050	Critical Thinking and Scientific Writing	2
REGS 5230	(Offering odd years)
Electives		4

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Second Year - Fall Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
MGS 5051	Critical Thinking and Scientific Writing, Part II	1
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1
REGS 6500	Introduction to Translational BioProduct Development	2

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Second Year - Winter Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1
REGS 6820	Principles to Practice	2

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Second Year - Spring Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Third Year - Summer Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Third Year - Fall Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Third Year - Winter Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Third Year - Spring Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fourth Year - Summer Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fourth Year - Fall Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fourth Year - Winter Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fourth Year - Spring Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fifth Year - Summer Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fifth Year - Fall Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3
REGS 5500	Topics in Regenerative Sciences and Medicine	1

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fifth Year - Winter Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Fifth Year - Spring Term
MGS 6890	Predoctoral Research	3