Welcome to the website for the graduate program in Craniofacial Biology (CBY). CBY was initially established by faculty members at the USC School of Dentistry to train those interested in a career in biomedical research and academics. The primary focus of the program is development and disease as they relate to craniofacial biology, and covers both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics. A significant emphasis in the program is currently placed on understanding of normal and pathological craniofacial development, genetic diseases, biomineralization of dental hard-tissues, biosynthetic and biocompatible materials development, stem cell biology and tissue engineering, and dental pathologies affecting the dentition and surrounding tissues including periodontitis,
osteonecrosis and pulpitis. Attention is also given to dental treatment outcomes assessment through active collaborations between the School of Dentistry, the School of Education and the Keck School of Medicine.
CBY awards research-based doctoral (Ph.D.) and Masters (M.S.) degrees. Both degree programs require didactic courses of instruction (including, but not limited to classes in craniofacial genetics and development, bioethical issues, statistics and scientific writing), and a research project to be satisfactorily completed prior to graduation. Research projects required to fulfill the M.S. degree would be to identify a research topic, generate research data and critically evaluate the significance of this data, and write a thesis covering the research topic. The Ph.D. degree program requires a student to identify a project that is novel and current, scientifically sound, covers mUltiple research methodologies, and is likely to add knowledge to the particular research field or discipline. There is an expectation that the Ph.D. research projects are of the quality that will be written up for publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
Students in the M.S. program will have their progress monitored and assessed on a continual basis by their appointed "Thesis Committee" consisting of no-less than 3 fulltime USC faculty members of diverse research backgrounds. At the completion of the M.S. degree program an individual is in a position to critically evaluate published scientific information and the methodologies used, and to apply a high level of scientific understanding to their chosen career.
Students in the Ph.D. program will have their progress monitored and assessed on a continual basis by their appointed "Thesis Committee" consisting of no-less than 5 fulltime USC faculty members of diverse research backgrounds. Training in the Ph.D. program will allow the graduate to pursue independent, research-orientated careers in multiple disciplines. Examples of careers for a Ph.D. graduate may be managing Federally funded projects in a university environment, or in private industry.
Individuals applying for the Ph.D. program may be entitled to Institutional or Federal Government Scholarships and are encouraged to discuss all their options with CBY faculty.r;nembers. Any student applying to either the M.S. or Ph.D. CBY program are also encouraged to make direct contact with the CBY program Director to discuss research interests and options.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Paine, B.Sc., B.D.S., Ph.D.
USC Associates Professor of Dentistry
Director of the Graduate Program in Craniofacial Biology (CBY)
