Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Record 2011-2012 
    
Graduate Record 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Molecular and Cellular Basis of Disease


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Overview

The Department of Pathology offers a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology through its Program entitled, “The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Disease (MCBD).” Our students experience a unique interface between clinical, medical, and basic science realms, designed to elucidate the mechanisms of disease processes and cultivate the skills necessary to perform translational research.

First-Year Degree Requirements


Admission to the MCBD Program is normally through the Molecular Medicine Program (MOMD) or the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). However, students from other Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) and basic science programs are welcome to matriculate. During their first year, prospective students take courses to establish the foundation for our 54-credit Ph.D. program. Listed below is a typical first-year schedule of classes for a student entering through the MOMD portal:

FALL
BIMS 5030 – Macromolecular Structure and Function (Credits: 4)
BIMS 5012 – Cell Structure and Function (Credits: 5)
BIMS 8010 – Gene Structure, Expression and Regulation (Credits: 5)
PATH 8050 – Colloquium in Human Disease Research (Credits: 1, Journal Club    plus Pathology Research Progress Report)
PATH 8460 – Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine (Credits: 1)

 
SPRING
BIMS 7100 – Research Ethics (Credits: 1)
PATH 8050 – Colloquium in Human Disease Research (Credits: 1, Journal Club    plus Pathology Research Progress Report)
BIMS 8320 – Graduate Physiology (Credits: 5)
PATH 8460 – Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine (Credits: 1)
PATH 9995 – Topical Research (Credits: variable)
Relevant Electives, such as PATH 8280 and PATH 8620
 

When the student identifies a mentor for their thesis/dissertation work (typically by April 29th of their first year), he/she also declares a graduate program affiliation.  When choosing the MCBD Program, he or she assembles a Thesis/Dissertation Committee with the help of his/her Mentor, the Program Directors, the Graduate Advisor, and our faculty members. This committee assists the student in planning the best curriculum course for the remainder of the student’s time in the Program in order to meet his/her needs and interests, as well as serving (in most cases) as the exam committee for the qualifying exam and the dissertation defense. 

Second-Year Degree Requirements


During the second year in the Program, students complete coursework, begin their research, and prepare for the qualifying exam.  Students must complete the balance of the 54 credit hours toward the Ph.D. with required MCBD coursework and didactic courses relevant to their interests and MCBD. Didactic courses must be approved by the Program Directors or the Graduate Advisor.

The second-year curriculum is as follows:
 

FALL
PATH 8130 –Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease I (Credits: 1) 
PATH 8050 – Colloquium in Human Disease Research (Credits: 1, Journal Club    plus Pathology Research Progress Report)
PATH 8060 – Rotation in Medical Pathology (Credits: 4)
PATH 8460 – Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine (Credits: 1)
PATH 8480 – Research Correlations in Medical Pathology (Credits: 1)
 Approved Didactic Electives

SPRING
PATH 8140 –Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease II (Credits: 1) 
PATH 8050 – Colloquium in Human Disease Research (Credits: 1, Journal Club    plus Pathology Research Progress Report)
PATH 8058 – Topics in Medical Pathology (Credits: 3)
PATH 8460 – Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine (Credits: 1)
Approved Didactic Electives

Throughout their time in MCBD, other opportunities are available for students to supplement basic science training activities. Examples of these include workshops to define the concepts and processes involved with patents/intellectual property, and to develop skills necessary for grant writing/review.

Remainder of the Program


Beyond the second year, the remainder of the student’s time in MCBD is spent completing the following requirements:
•  Written Thesis Project and Oral Qualifying Exam
o Students are required to complete a thesis project, similar in style to an NIH grant proposal, detailing the student’s research plans while in the MCBD Program. Students are required to submit written copies of this thesis to their respective Graduate Committee members by August 31st of the student’s third year.
o The Qualifying Exam for the MCBD Program is a successful oral defense of the thesis to the student’s Graduate Committee. Students must meet this requirement by September 30th of the student’s third year.
•  Further research leading to papers written by the student on his or her research. These papers are to be accepted to peer-reviewed journals, with one being a first-author paper.
•  Students must fully participate in MCBD Program research activities throughout their time in the Program, such as attendance at PATH 8460 Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine and PATH 8050 Colloquium in Human Disease Research, the annual Pathology Research Retreat, and other events as announced.
•  Final written Dissertation that conforms to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and University specifications, a closed oral defense of the document and research conclusions, and a public oral defense (seminar presentation).

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