Curriculum

Degree Requirements

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Successful completion of all core courses and required activities
  • Passing the qualifying examination
  • Completion, submission, and presentation of the dissertation
  • For additional details, please see: graduate.ucsf.edu/phd-degree

Courses 

Both the PhD and DDS/PhD programs share the core PhD curriculum:

  • Year 1: Build a foundation in PhD research through core coursework and laboratory rotations
  • Year 2: Establish the PhD research projects and enhance the research capability through core courses and electives 
  • --Qualifying Examination-- 
  • Year 3 and beyond: Conduct and advance the PhD research project

Core Courses

  • Current Concepts in Oral Biology (OCS 221A, B, and C): The three sequential courses provide a comprehensive pathway from conceptual understanding of oral and craniofacial biology to the formulation and communication of original research proposals, preparing students to conduct their PhD research projects.
    • OCS221A (Lecture Series): Provides an in-depth exploration of oral and craniofacial organogenesis, growth, metabolism, and immunology, integrating principles of cell and molecular biology and histology relevant to oral and craniofacial research, as well as commonly used research tools and current topics in the field.
    • OCS221B (Discussion Series): A project-based discussion course designed to develop advanced skills in research, analysis, and scientific communication. Students investigate a topic of broad scientific relevance, examining its context, evidence, and methods, and synthesize their findings into a presentation that evaluates current knowledge and explores future directions. 
    • OCS221C (Grant-Writing Workshop): A workshop-style course focused on understanding NIH funding mechanisms and learning how to prepare competitive F30/F31 fellowship applications. Building on skills developed in OCS 221A and 221B and on students’ dissertation research topics, participants develop Specific Aims while learning to construct coherent research and training plans.
       
  • Biostatistics and Computational Biology (BMS225A)
  • Bioethics
    • Responsible Conduct of Research and Rigor & Reproducibility (GRAD 214)
    • Racism in Science (Grad 202)
  • Seminar Series (OCS 222)
  • Journal Club (OCS 270)

Learning Outcomes

  • Scientific foundation:
    Provide students with a strong foundation in the biological sciences necessary to address diverse research questions in oral and craniofacial science. Because the oral–facial complex comprises tissues and cells from multiple organs and systems, advances in craniofacial health require broad training in biology. The program equips students with interdisciplinary approaches to address the complexity of craniofacial research.
  • Collaborative and independent research:
    Foster core scientific values of interdisciplinary collaboration, independent inquiry, and teamwork. Through first-year research rotations and a curriculum shared with other flagship UCSF training programs, students gain broad exposure to diverse scientific perspectives and methodologies, establishing the foundation for careers in dental and craniofacial research.
  • Professional and leadership development:
    Prepare students to become leaders in their scientific fields by emphasizing excellence in research and training in the tools, methods, and knowledge required for independent, rigorous, reproducible, and impactful research. The program also cultivates complementary skills—including leadership, management, scientific writing and presentation, communication, and teamwork—needed for successful careers in academia, industry, or the public sector. Proactive mentoring and diverse professional development opportunities support each student’s career preparation.