Graduate students in the Experimental Pathology PhD Program benefit from laboratory training that emphasizes clinical and translational aspects of human disease.

Although many investigators on the University of Iowa biomedical campus focus on various aspects of human disease, this is true of every laboratory-based researcher in the Department of Pathology. Moreover, in addition to utilizing standard mouse and cell-based approaches, our research faculty routinely use human patient substrate in their research and/or are bringing new therapies to the clinic.

Year 1: First year Biomedical Science Program students take a common curriculum as listed below. These courses are described in more detail on the BSP Curriculum website.

Fall semester of Year 1:

• BMED:5207 Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology (3 s.h.)
• BMED:5208 Topics in Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology (1 s.h.)
• BMED:7777 Biomedical Science Seminar (1 s.h.)
• BMED:7888 Biomedical Science Research (Arranged)

One of the following Biostatistics courses:

• PCOL:5204 Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design (1 s.h.)
• BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 s.h.)

Spring semester of Year 1:

• PATH:5270 Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases (3 s.h.)
• MMED:6260 Methods for Molecular/Translational Medicine (1 s.h.)
• PHAR:6504 Mastering Reproducible Science (1 s.h.)
• BMED:7777 Biomedical Science Seminar (1 s.h.)
• BMED:7888 Biomedical Science Research (Arranged)

Year 2: Students committed to the Experimental Pathology subprogram they are required to take a semester long biostatistics course (Introduction to Biostatistics), a professional development class (Pathology Seminar) and an elective in the area of their thesis research (see list below). Students also take Scholarly Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research during both semesters of the second year.

Fall semester of Year 2:

One Elective (3-4 s.h.) is required either in the fall or spring semester

• BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 s.h.) if not taken during Year 1
• BMED:7270 Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research (0 s.h.)
• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (Arranged)

Spring semester of Year 2:

One Elective (3-4 s.h.) is required either in the fall or spring semester

• PATH:6220 Seminar in Pathology (1 s.h.)
• BMED:7271 Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research (0 s.h.)
• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (Arranged)

Subsequent semesters:

• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (minimum of 2 s.h.)

Total Hours:

Total student hours of coursework = 19-20
Total student hours of research = 52-53
Total student hours = 72

Possible Electives:

Electives are determined by the area of thesis research

• MMED:6220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization (3 s.h.)
• MMED:8115 Molecular Physiology (4 s.h.)
• MMED:6226 Cell Cycle Control (1 s.h.)
• MMED:6227 Cell Fate Decisions (1 s.h.)
• FRRB:7001 Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (3 s.h.)
• MICR:6247 Graduate Immunology and Human Disease (4 s.h.)
• MICR:6267 Graduate Viruses and Human Disease (4 s.h.)
• MICR 6259 Graduate Bacteria and Human Diseases (3 s.h.)
• IMMU:6201 Graduate Immunology (3 s.h.)
• NSCI:5653 Fundamental Neurobiology (3 s.h.)
• NSCI:7235 Neurobiology of Disease (3 s.h.)
• GENE:6150 Genetic Analysis of Biological Systems (3 s.h.)
• GENE:7191 Human Molecular Genetics (3 s.h.)
• PCOL:6225 Growth Factor Receptor Signaling

The Experimental Pathology subprogram does not have a teaching requirement. However, there are opportunities to teach or TA if students desire this experience.

Students must have one first author peer-reviewed paper published or in press, as well as a co-authored peer-reviewed paper or review article published or in press prior to being allowed to schedule their dissertation defense.

The comprehensive exam will normally be taken during the second (spring) semester of the second year. For students with advanced standing, they will be eligible to take the exam during the first (fall) semester of the second year. The Comprehensive exam committee will consist of the student’s Dissertation committee minus the mentor. A replacement member will be appointed by the Experimental Pathology Director in consultation with the four standing members of the Dissertation committee. The chair of the Dissertation committee (who is not the mentor) will also serve as chair of the Comprehensive exam committee.

The comprehensive exam will take the form of a grant proposal and will be "off-topic". Specifically, the focus of the proposal will be in the field of the student’s research, but must not be directly related to the dissertation project. In order to determine the topic, each of the five comprehensive exam committee members will choose a recent high-profile paper in the area of the student’s research interests (but not directly related to the dissertation project). After examining the papers, the student will choose one and make it the subject of their comprehensive exam.

Upon choosing the topic of the exam, the student will then prepare and submit a two-page single spaced abstract to the committee (not including references). The abstract will include the background/rationale, the significance of the question being asked and an outline of the specific aims. Upon approval of the abstract (edits or re-writes are likely), the student will be given permission to prepare a full proposal based on the NIH R21 format. Specifically, the proposal will be seven single spaced pages (not including references) and must include the Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation and Experimental Approach sections. The proposal will then be defended orally in front of the entire committee.

Timelines, outcomes and remediation (if necessary) will be standard and in accordance with Graduate College guidelines. These are detailed in the Experimental Pathology Student Handbook (pages 16-21).