Administration

Preface

The purpose of this publication is to assemble a set of guidelines, instructions, and information concerning the operational procedures of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS). The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences reserves the right to make changes as necessary, without notice, although every effort will be made to notify programs/concentrations and students when changes are made. Specific programs (Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Graduate Medical Education Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Public Health) or concentrations within the Biomedical Sciences program (Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Molecular Biophysics, and Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology) may enact stricter guidelines and policies for their graduate students. Additional information about GSBS programs and links to all forms are located on the Current Students page of the GSBS website.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Programs and Concentrations reserves the right to institute, after due notice and during the course of a student’s work toward a degree, any new ruling which may be necessary for the good of the University and therefore, ultimately, of recipients of its degrees. Normally a student may graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect at the time of enrollment in the GSBS. The GSBS also reserves the right to make changes in courses as needed. The right to make changes in tuition and fees is reserved as regulated by the Board of Regents.

Students with disabilities who need assistance should contact Student Disability Services in Room 2C412, or by phone at 806.743.1926.

Accreditation

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

In 2018, the Julia Jones Matthews Department of Public Health at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) was granted accreditation through 2023 by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Council on Education for Public Health is the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools of public health and public health programs. CEPH can be contacted at: Council on Education for Public Health, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20910- 5660, Phone: (202) 789-1050 Fax: (202) 789-1895.

TTUHSC Mission Statement

Vision

Transform healthcare through innovation and collaboration.

Mission

As a comprehensive health sciences center, our mission is to enrich the lives of others by educating students to become collaborative healthcare professionals, providing excellent patient care, and advancing knowledge through innovative research.

GSBS Mission Statement

In support of the institutional mission, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences strives to provide superior graduate education as well as leadership in increasing knowledge and understanding through scholarship and research. The mission of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is to educate the next generation of scientists and health-related professionals in a dynamic and productive research environment that fosters creativity and discovery. In order to accomplish the mission, the faculty and staff of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are committed to:

• Providing the larger academic community, as well as future employers, with graduates who are highly competent, independent, and ethical researchers and teachers;
• Demonstrating in all pursuits honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and commitment to academic freedom; 
• Ensuring that GSBS faculty, staff, and students are supported in their efforts with state-of-the art resources, facilities, and training opportunities; 
• Serving as leaders in the community for the advancement of knowledge related to the basic biomedical and related health sciences. 
• Ensuring an environment that values a diversity of people and ideas.

Administrative Structure

GSBS is one of five schools within the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). The Graduate Faculty membership within GSBS is composed of faculty who have appointments with either the School of Medicine (SOM); School of Pharmacy (SOP) or the GSBS Department of Public Health. In order to function efficiently, the GSBS faculty and students operate daily out of the schools and department listed above. The Chair of each department works with GSBS to help oversee the educational programs.

GSBS contains five Programs of study as well as four concentrations, which are defined under the Graduate Programs section of this handbook. The responsibility for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is under the GSBS Dean, Brandt Schneider, Ph.D. The day-to-day management of the GSBS is under the direction of the Sr. Associate Dean, Michael Blanton, Ph.D., and Assistant Dean, Pamela Johnson, M.B.A. Graduate affairs are discussed and developed by a Graduate Council, which consists of two GSBS graduate faculty members from each program/concentration; an ex officio member from the TTU Graduate School; and an ex officio graduate student member elected by the GSBS Graduate Student Association. The GSBS Dean is the Chair of the Graduate Council, which operates in an advisory capacity to the Dean. 

The GSBS Oath

I acknowledge that the mission of scientific research is a true and noble calling to discover truths that are hidden and to reveal wisdom yet unknown; always for the greater good. I welcome the privilege and opportunity to join in this mission, and to dedicate the talents that I have and the education that I have gained in this higher purpose. Moreover, I pledge to use this knowledge and wisdom I have achieved only for the improvement of life. In this journey of discovery, I promise to always be honest, accurate, and fair, in all things and in all matters, and to always conduct my affairs with excellence and ambition.

The GSBS Symbol

Symbol Description:
The shield of the GSBS represents our dedication to protect life through scientific advancements in research. The double helix divides the shield into four quadrants and connects all forms of life. At the top left, the tree symbolizes the scientific process, where knowledge has deep roots, and a strong base, and the thin branches of solitary ideas give rise to seeds, which leave the tree and start new lines of thought. The star at the right represents the direction a scientist must follow as new avenues of research are revealed to us. At the bottom left, a microscope shows the scientists' commitment to look deeper for explanations. The Double T at the bottom right represents Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the institution that has taught us these lessons.