PhD in Institute of Basic Medical Sciences

Applications for the Jul 2027 intake are open until Sep 15, 2027; the tuition fee is 108,540 TWD per year.

National Cheng Kung University's Institute of Basic Medical Sciences offers a doctoral program taught in English at the university's location in Southern Taiwan. Basic medical sciences is the field that studies the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying human health and disease, forming the scientific foundation on which clinical medicine is built. Typical subjects in this discipline include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology, with research often focused on understanding how cells, tissues, and organ systems function normally and how that function is disrupted in disease. Students commonly use laboratory techniques such as molecular cloning, cell culture, animal models, and various imaging and analytical methods to investigate specific biological questions, ranging from how pathogens cause infection to how genetic mutations contribute to disease. Coursework and research training in basic medical sciences frequently connect to areas such as cancer biology, infectious disease, neuroscience, and metabolic disorders, depending on a student's specific research focus. Because this is a doctoral program, the primary emphasis is on conducting original research that advances scientific understanding, typically resulting in a body of work presented through a dissertation, rather than on coursework alone. Students develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing that are essential for a career in biomedical research. Graduates from this discipline typically pursue careers as researchers in academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, or government research agencies, and some move into roles that bridge basic science and clinical application, supporting the development of new diagnostics or therapies. Delivered in English at a university in Southern Taiwan, the program is positioned for international students seeking rigorous, research-focused training in the biological sciences that underlie modern medicine.