Coursework:

As a subprogram within the Biomedical Science umbrella, Experimental Pathology students take the same foundational courses as all Biomedical Science students during the first year. These include Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Topics in Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design during the first semester, and Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases, Methods for Molecular and Translational Medicine, and Mastering Reproducible Science during the second semester. Similarly, all Biomedical Science students take two semesters of Scholarly Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research during the second year.

In addition to common foundational courses, Experimental Pathology students take a higher level of statistics (Practical Data Science and Bioinformatics or Introduction to Biostatistics), professional development (Pathology Seminar) and an elective in the area of their thesis research (see list below).

Plan of Study:

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.)
• PCOL:5204 Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design (1 s.h.)
• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (variable)

Spring semester of Year 1:

• Bioinformatic or Biostatistics (only one)
              MMED:3310 Practical Data Science & Bioinformatics (3 s.h.) or
              BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 s.h.)
• PATH:5270 Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases (3 s.h.)
• MMED:6260 Methods for Molecular/Translational Medicine (1 s.h.)
• PATH:6220 Seminar in Pathology (1 s.h.)
• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (variable)

Fall semester of Year 2:

• One Elective (3-4 s.h.) is required either in the fall or spring semester
• BMED:7270 Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research (0 s.h.)
• PATH:7211 Research in Pathology (variable)

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 (variable)

Subsequent semesters

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

Total Hours:

Total student hours of coursework = 18
Total student hours of research = 54
Total student hours = 72

Possible Electives:

Electives are determined by the area of thesis research

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

Teaching:

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

Publication requirements:

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.