About our School

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) first opened in 2013 as an extension of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Lubbock, Texas. In August 2014, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) officially recognized the establishment of an independent TTUHSC El Paso GSBS, paving the way for groundbreaking research and education in the region. On Jan. 22, 2016, the THECB approved adding the Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Sciences to the TTUHSC El Paso’s program inventory. Following this achievement, on Sept. 1, 2016, the post-baccalaureate certificate program in Biomedical Sciences was officially included in the TTUHSC El Paso’s academic offerings. Furthermore, on Feb. 24, 2022 local philanthropists and community leaders, Rick and Ginger Francis, announced a transformational $10 million gift, endowing TTUHSC El Paso's graduate school, now named the L. Frederick Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Their generous gift marked a historic moment for TTUHSC El Paso, making it the only institution in the Texas Tech University System to have endowed each of its schools. Most recently, on Jul. 24, 2025, the THECB approved the addition of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biomedical Sciences, reaffirming the institutional commitment to cultivating the next generation of innovators and leaders in the field.

Mission

The mission of the Texas Tech Health El Paso Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is to educate the next generation of scientists and health-related professionals by providing a dynamic research environment oriented to satisfy the learning needs of a multicultural group of students by fostering creativity and discovery.                                                           

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

Biomedical Concepts and Theories

Students will be able to comprehend basic concepts and theories in the fields of biochemistry, cell biology, laboratory methodologies, genes and function, and biomedical research in relation to human physiology and diseases.

Written and Verbal Communication

Students will be able to express and discuss effectively with peers and professors through oral presentations and written discourse.

Independent Research

Students will be able to plan, organize, conduct, and analyze biomedical research with direction from principal investigator.

Critical Thinking

Students will be able to recall, explain, integrate, and apply key concepts related to the fields of cancer research, infectious diseases, neurosciences, and diabetes & metabolism.

Ethical Behavior

Students will be able to identify, analyze, relate, and address the regulatory environment as well as the normative ethics of conducting biomedical research.

Analytical Thinking

Students will be able to display their understanding of analyzing and presenting data in order to design experiments and present genetic data analysis and basic biostatistics