Program Curriculum
Pathology Program
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0408)
Elective courses are chosen in consultation with the graduate program director and faculty sponsor. PATH–8600 may be counted toward elective credit requirements in all Experimental Pathology programs. Research credits may be substituted for didactic credits in the general experimental pathology M.S. track (Plan B), but not in any of the three specialized M.S. tracks.
Master of Science in Pathology
A minimum of 31 credits is required including either the one-credit Master’s Literature Review (Plan A) or the one credit Master’s Thesis (Plan B).
Required Core Courses |
|
Introduction to Pathology (PATH–1080) |
3 credits |
Systemic Pathology (PATH–1090) |
3 credits |
Introduction to Epidemiology (PATH–1200) |
3 credits |
Environmental Toxicology (PATH–2310) OR Toxicology (PHARM–2510) |
2 or 3 credits |
General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC–1010, 1020) |
8 credits |
Cell Biology (CELL–1360) |
3 credit |
Introduction to Biostatistics (BMS–1100) OR Statistics for Basic Medical Sciences (BMS–1200) |
2 or 3 credits |
Plan A: |
|
Electives |
4 - 6 credits |
Master’s Literature Review (PATH–9750) |
1 credit |
| TOTAL - Plan A |
31 credits |
Plan B: |
|
Electives |
0 to 6 credits |
Master’s Thesis Research (PATH–9800) |
up to 5 credits |
Master’s Thesis (PATH–9850) |
1 credit |
| TOTAL - Plan B |
31 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0408)
A minimum of 45 course credits plus 15 dissertation research credits is required. Students participate in laboratory research each semester, acquiring skills and experience for developing a program of supervised independent research for the doctoral dissertation. Journal Club (PATH–8010) is taken in each semester of residence, but is not counted toward the 45-credit degree requirement.
Required Core Courses |
|
Cell Biology (CELL–1360) |
3 credits |
General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC–1010, 1020) |
8 credits |
Fundamentals of Animal Research (PATH–1110) |
3 credits |
Experimental Pathology Laboratory (PATH–9110) |
6 credits |
General Pathology (PATH–1410) |
6 credits |
Systemic Pathology (PATH–1090 or PATH–1420) |
3 - 8 credits |
Cell Physiology (PHYS–2310) OR Cell Signaling (BIOC–2630) |
2 credits |
Introduction to Biostatistics (BMS–1100) OR Statistics for Basic Medical Sciences (BMS–1200) |
2 - 3 credits |
Journal Club (CELL 8010) |
0 credits |
Bioethics (BMS–2010) |
2 credits |
Electives |
0 - 6 credits |
Subtotal, course credits |
45 credits |
Doctoral Dissertation Research (PATH-9900) |
15 credits |
TOTAL |
60 credits |
M.D./Ph.D. Candidates
Students in the M.D./Ph.D. program seeking their Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology must earn 10 credits in didactic graduate courses, including Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BIOC–1250) and Cell Biology (CELL–1360). Additional courses are chosen after consultation with the student’s faculty sponsor and graduate program director. Other requirements (qualifying examination, journal club, computer literacy) will be the same as those expected of Ph.D. students.
Qualifying Examination
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are also required to pass both the written and oral components of a comprehensive Ph.D. qualifying examination administered by the program faculty near the end of the second year of study.
Candidacy
The student is eligible to enter doctoral candidacy after successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, the accumulation of at least 30 didactic credits including all required courses, and the recommendation of the program faculty.