Virginia Commonwealth University SOD Launches M.S. in Oral Biology

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry (VCU SOD) has launched a new Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a concentration in Oral Biology. The two-year program is designed for students who are considering a career either as a dentist or as an oral biology scientist. Students considering dental school will have the opportunity to take classes alongside first-year dental students. All students will conduct a thesis and research opportunities are available in cancer, infection and immunology, bioengineering and oral public health.

“Our new program with a concentration in oral biology gives students the opportunity to explore the complexities of oral biology and its impact on systemic health. Whether our graduates go on to train as dentists or to have a career in biomedical research, they will have the knowledge and technical skill to make a difference in either the development of new therapies or in understanding public health issues as they relate to oral health,” says Oonagh Loughran, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs. 

Students will complete one year of formal coursework before conducting an original research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor, culminating in an oral defense of their thesis. Graduates can be competitive for further academic training (i.e., Ph.D. or D.D.S. programs), or may pursue laboratory research positions in academia or industry or job opportunities in education or industry.

Courtesy of Oonagh Loughran, Ph.D. and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Published on January 13, 2021