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Graduate Committee
Dr. Kyle Hewitt (Phd Program Co-Director), Dr. Gargi Ghosal (PhD Program Co-Director) Dr. Kishor Bhakat, Dr. Subu Ramanathan, Dr. Shantaram Joshi, Dr. Bin Duan, and Dr. Ying Yan

The IGPBS - Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology doctoral program trains students to conduct rigorous and interdisciplinary research focused on understanding the cellular, molecular and genetic basis of normal development as well as disease pathogenesis. The program is designed to prepare students for careers as independent biomedical scientists and educators, offering two PhD degree tracks:

  • Research Track 
  • Anatomy Teaching Track

PhD Curriculum

Research Track Coursework

All students enrolled in IGPBS - Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology doctoral program (Research Track) must complete the required courses listed below:

GRAD 800RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH TRAINING *0
IPBS 801FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMOLECULES *3
IPBS 802 *2
IPBS 803FUNDAMENTALS OF RECEPTORS & CELL SIGNALING *2
MGCB 823FUNDAMENTALS IN GENETICS AND GENOMICS *2
MGCB 896RSCH OTHER THAN THESIS (or IPBS 896) *1-9
MGCB 903JOURNAL CLUB (every semester)1
MGCB 907TEACHING AND RESEARCH PRESENTATION SKILLS *2
MGCB 970SEMINAR (every semester)1
MGCB 999DOCTORAL DISSERTATION1-15
Electives (3 courses)
Electives will be chosen in consultation with the primary advisor and supervisory committee.
A. One elective MUST be a graduate level statistics course* (unless a full semester statistics course was previously completed in an undergraduate or graduate program - a satisfactory grade of 'B' or better must appear on the relevant transcript)
B. At least one elective MUST be an advanced methods course. Two approved methods courses are listed below. Alternative methods courses must be pre-approved by the MGCB directors.
BISB 815TOOLS AND ALGORITHMS IN BIOINFORMATICS3
MGCB 912MODERN APPROACHES IN CELL BIOLOGY & MOLECULAR GENETICS3
*indicates course must be completed prior to Comprehensive Exam

Anatomy Teaching Track Coursework

All students enrolled in IGPBS - Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology doctoral program (Anatomy Teaching Track) must complete the courses listed below:

GRAD 800RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH TRAINING *0
IPBS 8022
GCBA 813NEUROANATOMY LECTURE3
GCBA 814NEUROANATOMY LAB2
GCBA 825HUMAN HISTOLOGY5
MGCB 896RSCH OTHER THAN THESIS1-9
MGCB 903JOURNAL CLUB1
MGCB 907TEACHING AND RESEARCH PRESENTATION SKILLS2
GCBA 908GROSS ANATOMY LECTURE5
GCBA 909GROSS ANATOMY LABORATORY6
GCBA 940TEACHING PRACTICUM: HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY2
MGCB 970SEMINAR1
MGCB 999DOCTORAL DISSERTATION1-15
GCBA 942TEACHING PRACTICUM: HUMAN NEUROANATOMY1
GCBA 949TEACHING PRACTICUM: HUMAN HISTOLOGY2
*indicates course must be completed prior to Comprehensive Exam

MD/PhD Curriculum

Coursework

Upon successful completion of Phase 1 of the College of Medicine curriculum, the requirement for completing the IPBS 801, IPBS 802, IPBS 803, and MGCB 823 will be waived.  Each MD/PhD student enrolled in this program must complete the following courses:

Course List
Required Courses  
MGCB 903 JOURNAL CLUB (every semester) 1
MGCB 907 TEACHING AND RESEARCH PRESENTATION SKILLS 2
MGCB 970 SEMINAR (every semester) 1
MGCB 999 DOCTORAL DISSERTATION 1-15
Elective (1 course)  
This course will be selected by the student in consulation with his/her Supervisory Committee
 
Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR)/ Ethics Training - to be completed by the end of year 2 in lab  
NOTE: See Graduate Program Director for requirements regarding Comprehensive Exam.