The program requires students to be committed to research and an academic career. Students choose an area of concentration from disciplines, but may also combine work in several fields in order to support their research interests. Disciplines include biochemistry, biophysics, clinical studies, developmental biology, epidemiology, immunology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology.

The PhD program provides training for those who wish to pursue basic and/or clinical research in dental medicine or the biomedical sciences. Candidates may include those with bachelor's, master's, or DDS (or equivalent) degrees.?

Interdisciplinary in nature, the PhD program draws upon faculty expertise in a broad range of disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, developmental biology, immunology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology. Students choose an area of concentration from these disciplines, but may also combine work in several fields in order to support their research interests.