Oral Biology (MS)

21_gr_ms_obio

Admission Requirements

Information about application process is available on the Oral Biology program website.

Graduate application for the program is online. There is a non-refundable application fee. Applications are not processed until the application fee is received and all required application materials have been received by the Graduate School.

Credentials listed below should be sent to the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions, by the following admission deadlines for complete applications:

June 1 for Fall
 

Applications that are not complete by the deadline may not be reviewed in time for registration.

Students currently enrolled in the DMD degree program who wish to also apply to the MS degree in Oral Biology program should meet with the Program Director or Director of Student Affairs to determine a timeline for making an application.

Admission Credentials

(See Oral Biology Program Guide)

  • Graduate Application and application fee
  • Transcripts of all college coursework, including evidence of a baccalaureate degree
  • Graduate Record Examination scores or acceptable scores on the DAT or National Boards Dental Exam (NBDE)
  • Three letters of recommendation which document your research experience or academic ability
  • A personal statement of research experience or interest in research, and your career goals
  • TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English language proficiency scores, if English is not applicant's native language.   
  • Certification of academic credentials with course-by course evaluation (via WES or ECE) for international applicants. 

Program Requirements

The minimum requirement for the MS Oral Biology degree is 30 credit hours. At least one-half of the credits counting toward the degree (exclusive of thesis) must be in courses open to graduate students only (600 level or above).  

Major Subject Core Courses8
OIID 501
Biomedical Data Analysis: Experimental Design and Statistics
OIID 601
Introduction to Oral Biology Research
OIID 605
Oral Health Seminars (2 semesters, 0.5 credit hours each)
OIID 606
Oral Biology Communication 1
Major Subject Selective Courses (see list below)7-8
Thesis Research Requirements14-15
OIID 619
Graduate Research (minimum of eight (8) credit hours required)
OIID 620
Thesis (minimum of six (6) credit hours required)
Minimum Total Hours30

Major Subject Selective Courses

In addition to the list below, courses may be chosen from any 600-level courses offered by the University of Louisville that are deemed to be relevant and applicable to the student's program of study and thesis research, with approval by the student's thesis advisor/director and the Program Director.

OIID 600Concepts in Oral Immunology2
OIID 604Oral Infections3
OIID 610Advanced Topics in Oral Biology 21-4
OBIO 611Craniofacial Osteology1-3
OBIO 612Craniomaxillofacial Diagnostic Imaging2-4
OBIO 613The Diagnosis & Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders1
OBIO 614Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine 21
OBIO 615Advanced Clinical Pharmacology 21
OBIO 616Overview of Medical Genetics in Oro-Facial Disease 31.5
OBIO 617Advanced Oral Pathology 21
BIOC 668Molecular Biology 24
1

Prerequisite: OIID 601 Introduction to Oral Biology Research 

2

Requires course director approval. Graduate-level clinical courses may require DMD or equivalent.

3

Course provided every second year.

 

Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Master of Science (MS) in Oral Biology

Unit(s): School of Dentistry
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s):  DE_DMD and OBIOMS

On this Page

Program Overview

Admission

Dual Degree Requirements

Program of Study

Contact Information

Program Overview

The DMD‑MS in Oral Biology dual degree program allows students to complete the MS in Oral Biology while earning the DMD. The MS curriculum, including all coursework and research requirements, is integrated within the four years of the DMD program and does not require additional tuition. The program offers students hands‑on experience in biomedical research and a deeper understanding of the basic sciences that support modern clinical practice. Completion of the MS enhances preparation for clinical specialty training, academic careers, and research‑focused positions by providing experience in scientific investigation and the development of new approaches to oral health. The dual degree requires a minimum of 229.5 credit hours and follows a blended curriculum that supports both clinical training and research development.

Admission

Admission to the DMD‑MS in Oral Biology dual degree program is limited to students who have been accepted into the School of Dentistry’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. Eligible DMD students may apply to the MS in Oral Biology program after matriculating into the dental curriculum. Applicants must meet all admission requirements for the MS program, including submission of the graduate application and any materials requested to support the graduate application. Prospective applicants should consult the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the School of Dentistry for guidance on application procedures and timelines.

Dual Degree Requirements

The DMD-MS in Oral Biology dual degree is delivered through an integrated curriculum that allows students to complete requirements for both degrees in fewer total credit hours than would be required if the degrees were completed separately. This structure is made possible by allowing selected courses and training components from the DMD curriculum to satisfy requirements for the MS in Oral Biology when they meet the same learning outcomes. In this format, the dual degree may be completed in four (4) years with a minimum of 229.5 total credit hours.  Students must also complete all remaining degree requirements for both the DMD and the MS in Oral Biology, except where those requirements are modified by the approved dual degree structure. Students should consult with the MS in Oral Biology Program or Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the School of Dentistry to learn more. 

Minimum Credit Hours and Milestone Requirements

The table below summarizes the minimum credit hours and milestones typically required for the dual degree.

Dual Degree RequirementsHours / Milestones
DMD Requirements207.5
MS in Oral Biology Requirements 1, 2
Develop an Individualized Program of Study 1Approved
Major Subject Core Courses8
OIID 501
Biomedical Data Analysis: Experimental Design and Statistics
OIID 601
Introduction to Oral Biology Research
OIID 605
Oral Health Seminars (2 semesters, 0.5 credit hours each)
OIID 606
Oral Biology Communication
Research Project ProposalApproved
OIID 619Graduate Research8
OIID 620Thesis6
Final Draft of ThesisSubmitted to Thesis Committee
Thesis Defense and Oral ExaminationSuccessfully Defended
Minimum Total Hours229.5
1

Students’ programs of study must be approved by both the thesis advisor and the MS in Oral Biology program director within four (4) weeks of initial enrollment.

2

Students in the DMD‑MS in Oral Biology integrated dual degree program are generally able to substitute coursework from the DMD curriculum for the eight (8) credit hours required in the Major Subject Selective Courses for the MS in Oral Biology. However, depending upon the student's thesis, additional supplemental coursework may be required.

Program of Study

The table below outlines the typical sequence of coursework and clinical training required for the MD-MS in Oral Biology dual degree, including important program milestones. Students must consult with their thesis adviser to develop an individualized program of study, which must be approved by the MS in Oral Biology Program Director as well as with the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the School of Dentistry.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
Dental School Year One (D1) Curriculum 1 57.5
 Hours57.5
Year 2
Dental School Year Two (D2) Curriculum 1 58.5
Apply to MS in Oral Biology Program Accepted
 Hours58.5
Year 3
Dental School Year Three (D3) Curriculum 1 48-48.5
Submit Individualized Program of Study 2 Approved
OIID 501 Biomedical Data Analysis: Experimental Design and Statistics 3
OIID 601 Introduction to Oral Biology Research 2
OIID 605 Oral Health Seminars (2 semesters, 0.5 credit hours each) 1
OIID 606 Oral Biology Communication 2
 Hours56-56.5
Year 4
Dental School Year Four (D4) Curriculum 1 43.5-53
OIID 619 Graduate Research 8
OIID 620 Thesis 6
Final Draft of Thesis Submitted to Thesis Committee
Thesis Defense and Oral Examination Successfully Defended
 Hours57.5-67
 Minimum Total Hours229.5-239.5
1

See the detailed DMD degree requirements.

2

Students’ programs of study must be approved by both the thesis advisor and the MS in Oral Biology program director within four (4) weeks of initial enrollment. The final selection of required courses for the MS in Oral Biology may change depending upon the student's research interest.

​Contacts

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the School of Dentistry:

MS in Oral Biology Program