Course Descriptions

PATH 8050 - Colloquium in Human Disease Research

(Formerly PRPR) The purpose of this course is to introduce new graduate students to the scientific literature in human disease, and to give them experience in interpreting, discussing, and presenting both research publications and their own progress on research projects. Enrollees will be expected to present at least one research literature report each semester.



Credits: 1

PATH 8058 - Topics in Medical Pathology

Graduate students join the incoming class of residents for an introduction to concepts in the practice of Pathology. Lectures directed by Pathology faculty are complemented by a clinical perspective from the physicians who apply this information to make patient care decisions in their daily practice. In addition, students attend weekly conferences where a multidisciplinary team considers the total clinical picture to design treatment plans.



Credits: 3

PATH 8060 - Rotation in Diagnostic and Interventional Medicine

A four-week rotation in several facets of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. These rotations will expose students to clinical problems and hands-on techniques such as tissue procurement, processing, and diagnosis. Students will attend Clinical Conferences in which cases of human diseases related to the students’ areas of thesis research are discussed. This rotation will allow students to discuss their thesis research with faculty members to further refine their ideas. Students are encouraged to select one of these faculty members to serve on their Graduate Committee.



Credits: 4

PATH 8130 - Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease I

A series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists that focuses on the clinical context of a specific biomedical problem and the contemporary research that has resulted in major advances and treatment of the disease. Note: Students may take part II before part I of this course.



Credits: 2

PATH 8140 - Topics in the Molecular Basis of Human Disease II

This is a series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists that focuses on the clinical context of a specific biomedical problem and the contemporary research that has resulted in major advances and treatment of the disease. Note: Students may take part II before part I of this course. This is a series of joint lectures by basic and clinical scientists that focuses on the clinical context of a specific biomedical problem and the contemporary research that has resulted in major advances and treatment of the disease.



Credits: 2

PATH 8280 - Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology

This course will review clinical conditions caused by aberrant performance of the immune system, including their clinical presentations and consequences. Students will appreciate the pathological and immune dysfunction responsible for each disease and important areas of contemporary immune research that address critical components of each disease’s pathogenesis. Students will propose, delineate, and critique a focused research plan.
Prerequisite: MICR 8040: Fundamentals in Cancer Biology, MICR 8200: Building Blocks of the Immune System, and MICR 8203: Integration and Diversification of the Immune System



Credits: 2

PATH 8300 - Tumors and the Immune System

This module will allow students to gain comprehensive understanding of the extensive interactions between the immune system and neoplasia. The course will focus on discussion of contemporary literature, and will require students to have a strong knowledge of innate and adaptive immunity.
Prerequisite: MICR 8200: Building Blocks of the Immune System, MICR 8203: Integration and Diversification of the Immune System, and MICR 8040: Fundamentals in Cancer Biology



Credits: 2

PATH 8320 - Historical Perspectives in Cancer Research

The course will cover various aspects of the history of cancer research. The textbook for the course will the “The Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Discussion of the material in this book will be supplemented by critical examination of the “classic” literature followed by consideration of how the same problem/question today.



Credits: 2

PATH 8440 - Pathology Projects

PATH 8460 - Seminars in Human Disease and Molecular Medicine

Weekly presentations from speakers within and outside of UVA presenting descriptions, problems, and cur-rent approaches to diagnosis, molecular basis, and treatment of human disease. Presentations will usually contain both clinical and laboratory research, though occasionally reports of disease model systems will be presented.



Credits: 1

PATH 8470 - Readings in Molecular Medicine

Modern lit. in MolMed for MD/PhD trainees. Faculty select 2 rsch papers illustrating methods and avenues in molec. and cellular underpinnings of human disease. Students read and understand papers in-advance, present background and results, interpretation, and background info. from secondary sources to illustrate current understanding; preparing others for discussion. Grade is based on level of participation and understanding of materials.



Credits: 2

PATH 8480 - Research Correlations in Medical Pathology

PATH 8620 - Advanced Topics and Technologies in Cell Signaling

This course uses contemporary literature in the field of cell signal transduction as a foundation for student driven discussion. Each class session focuses on a single signaling pathway, with particular attention paid to the techniques and technologies applied. Understanding the specific signaling pathway shares emphasis with critical examination of the data and the chosen approach, and consideration of possible alternatives.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.



Credits: 3

PATH 8640 - Clinical Oncology for Basic and Translational Scientists

This is a 6-week seminar course designed to present an overview of selected aspects of the clinical cancer diagnosis and care by cancer practitioners. Selected vignettes demonstrating issues and technologies will be presented, together with a discussion of cutting edge approaches and current problems confronting clinicians and patients. There will also be an emphasis on investigator-clinician collaborations.



Credits: 1

PATH 8920 - Topics in Human Disease Literature

This course presents the opportunity to participate in a weekly journal club on selected topical research areas of relevance to the student’s interests. Areas of participation include cancer, signal transduction, transcription and differentiation, immunology, infectious disease, reproduction, and neuropathology.



Credits: 1

PATH 9995 - Topical Research

PATH 9998 - Non-Topical Research

PATH 9999 - Non-Topical Research

PERS 5010 - Readings in Modern Persian Poetry

Studies the works of major and some minor poets of the 20th century. The form and content of ‘New Poetry’ is discussed as distinguished features of 20th-century Persian poetry in contrast with those of classical Persian poetry. Emphasizes the themes of modern poetry as reflections of Iranian society.
Prerequisite: PERS 2020 or equivalent, or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

PERS 5020 - Readings in Modern Persian Prose Fiction

Examines the works of this century’s major writers, focusing on the development of modern Persian fiction as it reflects a changing society. Improves Persian reading ability and familiarity with Iran, its people, and its culture.
Prerequisite: PERS 2020 or equivalent, or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

PERS 5230 - Introduction to Classical Persian Literature

A comprehensive, historical introduction to Persian poetry and prose from the 10th to the 18th centuries. Emphasizing the history and development of Persian poetry and prose, this advanced-level language course introduces various formal elements of Persian literary tradition. It analyzes literary texts and explores the linguistic structure, fine grammatical points, and syntactic intricacies of classical Persian.
Prerequisite: PERS 2020 or equiv.



Credits: 3

PERS 5559 - New Course in Persian

PERS 7559 - New Course in Persian

This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of Persian.
Prerequisite: PERS 2020 or equivalent, or instructor permission



Credits: 3

PERS 8993 - Independent Study in Persian

PETR 3210 - Persian Literature in Translation

Reading from the works of major figures in classical Persian literature, especially Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Khayyam, Attar, Mowlavi, Sa’adi, and Hafez, as well as the most important minor writers of each period. Emphasizes the role of the Ma’shuq (the beloved), Mamduh (the praised one), and Ma’bud (the worshiped one) in classical verse, as well as the use of allegory and similar devices in both prose and verse. Taught in English.



Credits: 3

PETR 3220 - Twentieth-Century Persian Literature in Translation

Introduces modern Persian literature in the context of Iranian society and civilization. Lectures and discussions follow the development of modern Persian poetry and prose, and trace the influence of Western and other literature, as well as Iranian literary and cultural heritage, on the works of contemporary Iranian writers. Facilitates understanding of contemporary Iran, especially its people, both individually and collectively, with their particular problems and aspirations in the twentieth-century world. Taught in English.



Credits: 3

PETR 3559 - New Course in Persian Translation

PETR 5210 - Persian Literature in Translation

Reading from the works of major figures in classical Persian literature, especially Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Khayyam, Attar, Mowlavi, Sa’adi, and Hafez, as well as the most important minor writers of each period. Emphasizes the role of the Ma’shuq (the beloved), Mamduh (the praised one), and Ma’bud (the worshiped one) in classical verse, as well as the use of allegory and similar devices in both prose and verse. Taught in English.



Credits: 3

PETR 5220 - Twentieth-Century Persian Literature in Translation

Introduces modern Persian literature in the context of Iranian society and civilization. Lectures and discussions follow the development of modern Persian poetry and prose, and trace the influence of Western and other literature, as well as Iranian literary and cultural heritage, on the works of contemporary Iranian writers. Facilitates understanding of contemporary Iran, especially its people, both individually and collectively, with their particular problems and aspirations in the twentieth-century world. Taught in English.



Credits: 3

PETR 5320 - Life Narratives & Iranian Women Writers

This seminar examines life narratives and other forms of literary output by Iranian women writers. We will examine the ways these writers have desegregated a predominantly all-male literary tradition, as well as their arrival at the forefront of a bloodless social movement. Some of the genres to be investigated include novels, short stories, poetry, autobiographies, memoirs, and films.



Credits: 3

PETR 5559 - New Course in Persian Translation

PETR 7559 - New Course in Persian Literature in Translation

PHAR 7010 - Seminar in Pharmacology

Recent developments in pharmacology are presented by outside speakers at weekly intervals to faculty, staff and students. Students may participate by meeting with the speaker during the day of the seminar. One hour weekly during both the first and second semesters.



Credits: 1

PHAR 7020 - Seminar in Pharmacology

Recent developments in pharmacology are presented by outside speakers at weekly intervals to faculty, staff and students. Students may participate by meeting with the speaker during the day of the seminar. One hour weekly during both the first and second semesters.



Credits: 1

PHAR 7300 - General Pharmacology

A lecture course covering the major fields of pharmacology for medical students. The principal current drugs are discussed in detail as prototypes. Emphasizes mechanism of action, drug distribution and biotransformation in the body, testing new drugs in experimental animals and in the human, and adverse reactions to drugs and toxicology.



Credits: 7

PHAR 8110 - Pharmacology Literature

A continuing seminar based on papers in the current literature. Required participation by departmental faculty, fellows, and graduate students. One hour per week.



Credits: 1

PHAR 8120 - Pharmacology Literature

A continuing seminar based on papers in the current literature. Required participation by departmental faculty, fellows, and graduate students. One hour per week.



Credits: 1

PHAR 8130 - Tutorial in Pharmacology

Students meet for one hour per week with assigned tutors and discuss, in depth, problems related to pharmacology.



Credits: 1

PHAR 8140 - Tutorial in Pharmacology

Students meet for one hour per week with assigned tutors and discuss, in depth, problems related to pharmacology. 



Credits: 1

PHAR 8998 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research

PHAR 8999 - Non-Topical Research

PHAR 9001 - Introduction to Pharmacology

The course will cover the major classes of therapeutically relevant drugs, and how they work at the molecular and cellular levels. The major topics include: general principles, chemical mediators, drugs affecting major organ systems and chemotherapy of infectious and malignant disease.
Prerequisite: PHY 8040 and 8041: Physiology A & B recommended



Credits: 2

PHAR 9002 - Introduction to Neuropharmacology

PHAR 9003 - Molecular Characterization of Drug Targets I

Prerequisite:PHAR 9001(Introduction to Pharmacology) and PHAR 9002 (Introduction to Neuropharmacology), or permission of the instructor



Credits: 2

PHAR 9004 - Molecular Characterization of Drug Targets II

PHAR 9080 - Biochemical Pharmacology

PHAR 9100 - Endocrine Pharmacology

PHAR 9500 - Special Topics in Pharmacology

PHAR 9995 - Research in Pharmacology

PHAR 9998 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research

PHAR 9999 - Non-Topical Research

PHIL 5100 - The Historiography of Philosophy

Examines the issues arising from the study of the history of philosophy. Authors include Aristotle, Hegel, Russell, Collingwood, and Rorty. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5130 - Topics in Medieval Philosophy

Seminar on St. Augustine, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Duns Scotus. Topics include the existence of God, accounts of necessity and possibility, the justification and acquisition of concepts, and the interaction between Platonism and Aristotelianism in Christian thought. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5420 - Advanced Logic

Examines various results in metalogic, including completeness, compactness, and undecidability. Effective computability, theories of truth, and identity may also be covered. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisite: PHIL 2420 or equivalent.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5450 - Language and Logic

This course will examine, in light of classical readings and with the aid of the techniques of formal semantics and formal pragmatics, topics that have been given the most intense treatment: distinction between sense and reference, nature of meaning, relation between thought and language, etc.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5460 - Philosophy of Science

Logical analysis of the structure of theories, probability, causality, and testing of theories. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5470 - Philosophy of Mathematics

Comparison of various schools in the philosophy of mathematics (including logicism, formalism, and conceptualism) and their answers to such questions as ‘Do numbers exist?’ and ‘How is mathematical knowledge possible?’ For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisite: Some familiarity with quantifier logic or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5480 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Problems studied include explanation in the social sciences; the place of theory; objectivity; the relation between social science and natural science, philosophy, and literature. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisite: Six credits of philosophy or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5500 - Bioethics Seminar

Topics vary annually and include ‘Methods of Practical Ethics’ and ‘Reproductive Ethics.’ For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/. Prerequisite: Fourth-year bioethics minor or interdisciplinary bioethics major.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5510 - Seminar on a Philosophical Topic

PHIL 5760 - Global Justice, Health & Human Rights

This seminar attempts to expand the horizons of bioethics to include a set of important issues impacting global health. The focus is on current work in political phil bearing on the rationale and limits of political toleration; assistance to the ‘distant needy’; nationalism vs. cosmopolitanism; the objectives and measures of human development;and the proposed role of human rights as a transcultural lingua franca for international ethics. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5770 - Methods of Practical Ethics

An in depth exposition and analysis of several important methods of moral thought in the area of bioethics – e.g., ethical/political theory, mid-level principles, casuistry or case-driven analysis, common morality, narrative, feminism, pragmatism, human rights, etc. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisites: instructor Permission.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5780 - Reproductive Ethics

The focus of the course will be the exploration of various moral, legal and policy issues posed by efforts to curtail or enhance fertility through contraception, abortion, and recent advances in reproductive technology–e.g., in vitro fertilization, cloning, stem cell research, genetic screening and enhancement, etc.. Emphasis on philosophical questions bearing on concepts of harm, coercion, commodification, and responsibility. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisites: One prior course in ethics or political philosophy, instructor permission.



Credits: 3

PHIL 5790 - Research Ethics

Studies the history of research scandals (e.g., Nuremberg, Tuskegee) resulting in federal regulation of human subjects research; examines and critically assesses the randomized clinical trial (including informed consent, risk/benefit ratio, randomization, placebos); and considers the ethics of research with special populations, such as the cognitively impaired, prisoners, children, embryos and fetuses, and animals. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7110 - Plato

PHIL 7120 - Aristotle

PHIL 7150 - Continental Rationalism

PHIL 7160 - British Empiricism

PHIL 7250 - Logical Positivism

PHIL 7310 - Epistemology

PHIL 7320 - Topics in Epistemology

PHIL 7330 - Metaphysics

PHIL 7340 - Philosophy of Mind

PHIL 7341 - Mental Content

Examines a variety of issues concerning the nature of mental content, including one or more of the following. (1) The ontological status of mental content: Does mental content relate us to abstract objects? What are the prospects for naturalizing intentionality? (2) The relationship between intentional content and phenomenal character: Are these distinct features of mental states, or is one of these properties reducible to the other?



Credits: 3

PHIL 7350 - Self-Knowledge

We will examine some leading controversies about self-knowledge, and consider how those controversies bear on questions about knowledge, the mind, personal identity, and action. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7430 - Inductive Logic

PHIL 7440 - Philosophical Logic

PHIL 7450 - Topics in the Philosophy of Language

PHIL 7500 - First Year Seminar

Seminar for First Yr graduate students. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7510 - Tutorial Instruction

Tutorial Instruction. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7520 - Seminar on a Philosophical Topic

Seminar on a Philosophical Topic. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7530 - Readings in Philosophy

With the permission of the instructor, a student may arrange to take an undergraduate course for graduate credit under this designation. The student will attend lectures and cover the subjects of the undergraduate course, but will do additional reading and/or written work; the student’s work in the course will be graded on a scale appropriate for graduate course work.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7610 - Aesthetics

PHIL 7630 - Legal Philosophy

PHIL 7631 - Rights

This seminar will examine the nature of and possible justifications for claims of right. Readings will be from both classical and contemporary sources. The works we read will be authored principally by philosophers, with a few pieces by political and legal theorists.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7632 - Rescue, Charity and Justice

This course examines arguments for and against moral and legal “positive” duties (to assist others). We consider possible duties to give emergency aid (rescue), to improve the condition of the needy (charity), and to impose more equitable distributions of goods within and between nations (justice).



Credits: 3

PHIL 7640 - Philosophy of History

PHIL 7710 - Ethics

PHIL 7720 - Contemporary Ethics

PHIL 7750 - Well-Being

In this class we will explore the related questions of: what makes a life go well; what contributes to flourishing; and, what counts as welfare. We will spend the majority of the semester studying the dominant accounts of the nature and sources of well-being, and then examine efforts to define and measure well-being in economic theory and social psychology. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 7770 - Political Philosophy

PHIL 7995 - Supervised Research

PHIL 8110 - Topics in Ancient Philosophy

PHIL 8140 - Medieval Philosophy: Augustine and Thomas Aquinas

Medieval Philosophy: Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. For more details on this class, please visit the department website at http://www.virginia.edu/philosophy/.



Credits: 3

PHIL 8160 - Hume’s Ethics

PHIL 8161 - Hume and Kant on Ethics

In the seminar we will examine the moral theories of David Hume and Immanuel Kant, in that order. The main texts are Hume’s Treatise and Kant’s Groundwork, but considerable attention will be given as well to Hume’s second Enquiry and to Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason and Metaphysics of Morals.



Credits: 3

PHIL 8170 - Kant: The First Critique

PHIL 8180 - Kant’s Ethics

PHIL 8190 - Nineteenth-Century German Philosophy

PHIL 8230 - Development of Analytical Philosophy