Craniofacial Biology (MS)

Return to: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC 

This degree is under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Requirements for Graduation  section and the Graduate School section  of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the Graduate School. The Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology offers the clinician (DDS, MD or equivalent) the opportunity to obtain clinical research knowledge and skills in the area of craniofacial biology. Such training will include research into the causes of craniofacial diseases and anomalies, as well as normal development and function. The course of study is particularly directed toward those clinicians committed to pursuing a career in research and teaching.

Degree Requirements

A total of 32 units is required that includes eight courses in craniofacial biology, four units of 594ab Thesis and necessary units of 590 Thesis Research. All students must achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the craniofacial biology courses. Four core courses in craniofacial biology are required for all students: CBY 574 or PM 510L , CBY 579L , CBY 585  and CBY 671 . The four remaining courses required may be selected from any offered by the craniofacial biology program or other graduate programs and selected by the students and their mentors to best support their research interests. All students are required to complete a thesis based on the student’s research following a thesis protocol approved by a committee of craniofacial biology faculty. An advisory committee, comprising the research adviser and two additional faculty members, will establish thesis requirements to be completed by the student.