The School of Dentistry offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science Degree in Oral Biology. The program is directed toward a general understanding of the biology of the oral cavity and developing craniofacial region, clinical studies and biomechanics associated with dental sciences. Students obtain the scientific knowledge and biomedical skills required to perform contemporary dental research.

Areas for research training include: molecular, cellular and craniofacial biology; craniomaxillofacial diagnostic imaging; neural crest-related craniofacial and cardiovascular disorders; biochemistry of calcium-regulating hormones; regulation of gene transcription; oral microbiology; cellular mechanisms of salivary gland secretion; gene mapping of complex traits and birth defects; infection control; protein glycosylation; protein expression and trafficking; periodontology; dental materials science; orthodontics; endodontics; prosthodontics; and health services research related to dentistry. Developmental biology, oral microbiology and innate immunology are particular strengths of the program.

A minimum of 30 semester hours is needed for the M.S. degree. Requirements for the degree include courses in introductory and advanced oral biology and in data analysis, participation in seminars, and a thesis.

Other course work may be required as individualized programs are developed by students working with their thesis advisor/director and graduate committees. The graduate committee also approves proposed thesis research, reviews the thesis research, reviews the thesis for acceptance, and administers a final oral examination.

The M.S. degree in oral biology offers training particularly important to persons wishing to pursue a career in academic dentistry. The program is available to students wishing to obtain only the M.S. degree, to students enrolled in Dental Specialty Certificate/ Residency Programs, students enrolled in the D.M.D. degree program, and persons who have previously earned a D.M.D. or M.D. (or equivalent) degree.

Application for Admission

The application form is available on-line at: graduate.louisville.edu/apply/. Additionally, there is a $60.00 non-refundable application fee. Applications are not processed until the application fee is received and all required application materials have been received by Graduate Admissions.

Credentials listed below should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admission by the following admission deadlines for COMPLETE applications:
   June 1 for Fall
   November 1 for Spring
   March 1 for Summer

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

Students currently enrolled in the D.M.D. degree program who wish to apply to the M.S. degree in oral biology program should meet with the Program Director or Director of Student Affairs to determine a timeline for making application.

Admission Credentials

• 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)
• Two letters of recommendation
• A personal statement of interest in the program
• TOEFL scores, if English is not applicant's native language

Major subject required (core) courses:

Major subject selective courses:

These courses may be chosen from any 600-level courses offered by the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies that are deemed to be relevant and applicable to the student’s program of study and thesis research, and must be approved by the student’s thesis advisor/director and the Program Director: (6 semester hours)

*Note: OBIO 610 Advanced Topics in Oral Biology (1-4 semester hours) is strongly recommended in partial fulfillment to these 6 semester hours.

Total semester hours required for M.S. degree: 30 semester hours

At least 4 semester hours must be in courses selected from the group identified below:

Pascale Alard
Associate Professor

Eric Bednar
Assistant Professor

Tamer Abdel-Azim
Assistant Professor

Mark Bernstein
Professor

Cathy Binkley
Associate Professor

Ricardo Caicedo
Associate Professor

Sunita Chandiramani
Associate Professor

Stephen Clark
Professor

Gary Crim
Associate Dean

Douglas Darling
Professor

Don Demuth
Professor

Carmine Esposito
Professor

Allan Farman
Professor

John Firriolo
Professor

Larry Gettleman
Professor

Bob Greene
Chairperson and Professor

Ann Greenwell
Assistant Professor

Henry Greenwell
Professor

Bryan Harris
Assistant Professor

Margaret Hill
Associate Professor

Wendy Hupp
Assistant Professor

Zaf Khan
Professor

Rich Lamont
Professor

Shuang Liang
Assistant Professor

Weishao Lin
Assistant Professor

Matthew Lawrenz
Assistant Professor

Mike Mansfield
Instructor

Lee Mayer
Associate Professor

Joseph Morelli
Associate Professor

Dean Morton
Professor

Michele Pisano
Professor

Jan Potempa
Professor

Lisa Sandell
Assistant Professor

John Sauk
Dean and Professor

William Scarfe
Professor

David Scott
Associate Professor

Brian Shumway
Assistant Professor

Anibal Silveira
Chairperson and Professor

Jackie Singleton
Associate Professor

Robert Staat
Professor

David Tasman
Professor

John Virag
Assistant Professor

Jon Warawa
Assistant Professor

Dennis Warner
Assistant Professor