Cellular and Molecular Biology Coursework

1. School of Biomedical Sciences Core (Waivers or substitutions must be approved by the Director)

a. Cell Biology

• BSCI 5/70143 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 cr) Current study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, including recent advances in research technology.
• Must enroll concurrently in: BSCI 6/70144 Selected Readings in Eukaryotic Cell Biology (1 cr)

b. General Biochemistry (one of the following):

• CHEM 5/70261 Principles of Biochemistry I (3 cr) Introduction to biochemical principles, including chemistry and metabolism of biochemically important compounds
• CHEM 5/70262 Principles of Biochemistry II (3 cr) Supramolecular and cellular biochemistry, including transcription and translation
• BSCI 5/70142 Bioenergetics (3 cr) Lecture and discussion of respiration and photosynthesis, their origin, development, and control in living. systems. Concepts are introduced from fundamental principles.

c. Quantitative Methods and Statistics (one of the following):

• BSCI 6/70103 Biological Statistics (3 cr)
• PSYC 6/71651 Statistical Inference in Psychology (3 cr)
• ANTH 69637/BMS 78637 Analysis of BioAnthropological Data I (5 cr)
• ANTH 69638/BMS 78638 Analysis of BioAnthropological Data II (3 cr)
• Equivalent course approved by Director, School of Biomedical Sciences

d. Seminar

• BMS 60291 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences (1 cr)

e. Professional Development

• BSCI 6/70194 College Teaching in Biology (1 cr)

2. Cellular Biology and Structure Core (waivers or substitutions must be approved by the Director)

a. Human Microscopic Anatomy

• BMS 6/70220 Human Microscopic Anatomy (5 cr) Morphological basis for normal and disturbed functions; structure-function relationships in human microscopic anatomy.

b. Concentration Electives - including courses listed above not selected, other pertinent courswork at a consortial institution not otherwise selected, and/or the following:

• BSCI 5/70432 Endocrinology (3 cr)
• BSCI 5/70174 Immunology (2 cr), or
• BMS 6/70240 Medical Microbiology and Immunology (5 cr)
• BSCI 6/70461 Neurochemistry (2 cr)
• BSCI 6/70440 Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology (3 cr)
• BMS 6/70130 Principles of Electron Microscopy (4 cr)
• BMS 6/70221 Ultrastructure of the Cell (3 cr)
• BSCI 5/70158 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 cr)

c. General Electives - with the advice and concurrence of the Guidance Committee the student will complete additional courses in preparation for the doctoral candidacy examination.

d. Seminar

• BMS 60291 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences (1 cr)
  

3. Molecular Biology and Genetics Core (Waivers or substitutions must be approved by the Director)

a. Methodology Courses - a minimum of four credits is selected from among the following four groups:

• BMS 6/70130 Principles of Electron Microscopy (4 cr) Demonstrations with practical laboratory experience in the use of equipment and techniques applied to biological materials.
• CHEM 5/70249 & 5/70250 (Biochemical Techniques (2 cr ea) Laboratory work emphasizing modern methods of biochemical investigation. Experiments illustrating use of spectrophotometric, chromatographic and isotopic methods.
• BMS 6/70120 Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Sciences (2 cr) Minimum of two laboratory rotations per semester by arrangement with individual faculty members.
• BMS 6/70257 Research Proposal (2 cr) Preparation and defense of a formal research proposal modeled after the format of the National Institutes of Health.

b. Elective Courses - including courses listed above not selected, other pertinent courswork at a consortial institution not otherwise selected, and/or the following:

• BSCI 5/70142 Bioenergetics (3 cr)
• BSCI 5/70432 Endocrinology (3 cr)
• BSCI 5/70174 Immunology (2 cr)
• BSCI 6/70461 Neurochemistry (2 cr)
• CHEM 6/70269 NMR: Theory and Application in Biochemistry (1-2 cr)
• CHEM 5/70263 Physical Biochemistry I (3 cr)
• CHEM 6/70264 Bio-Inorganic Chemistry (2 cr)
• BMS 6/70220 Human Microscopic Anatomy (5 cr)
• BMS 6/70240 Medical Microbiology & Immunology (5 cr)
• BMS 6/70251 Theory & Pract. in Cloning and Genetic Engineer (2 cr)

c. Seminars - Each student is expected to register for and attend special topics courses, seminars, and "journal clubs" as they are offered. Formal registration in BMS 60291 will be required every semester until passage of the candidacy examination. Each student presents at least one seminar each year, and, in addition, a formal presentation of the dissertation research will be required in the seminar format.

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree may be awarded upon completion of 32 hours of graduate coursework including a doctoral core listed above and 6 hours of Thesis I (BMS 60199) during which a master's thesis will be completed. There is no non-thesis option.

Doctor of Philosophy

A student entering the program with a baccalaureate degree may be admitted either directly into the Ph.D. program or as a Master's degree candidate depending upon background and preparation. A Master's student may either complete that degree or may petition for admission to the doctoral program upon the satisfactory completion of 20 semester hours of formal graduate coursework. Upon the recommendation of the student's Guidance Committee, the approval of the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program Committee and the Director of the School of Biomedical Sciences the change in degree program will be made.

Professional Development

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities beneficial to their professional development. The teaching of laboratories and lecture courses, as appropriate, is considered valuable, and each student should have this experience during his or her graduate career, including those on non-teaching scholarships or research appointments for most or all of their tenure. Students should also seek membership in professional organizations, attend meetings to present research results, and maintain currency in the relevant literature.

What our graduates are saying about us

"The curriculum, laboratory training, and scientific interactions I experienced during my graduate training prepared me well for a career in academic research...I definitely recommend this program to anyone with a serious interest in biomedical science.

Maria Wildroudt-Sheakley, Ph.D. '05
Associate Professor of Physiology,
Ross University School of Medicine