Curriculum |
The Program in Cardiovascular Sciences is an interdisciplinary program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. This program offers training in all areas of cardiovascular science including vascular biology, developmental biology, genomics, cardiac biology, and electrophysiology. The strength of this program is the combination of basic and clinical sciences, which encompasses a wide range of techniques including small animal physiology, genomics/proteomics/microarray technology, imaging/microscopy, molecular, cellular and developmental biology, and electrophysiology. These techniques are widely applicable to all areas of modern research. There is particularly strong expertise in the areas of cell signaling, heart failure, vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.
The Program in Cardiovascular Sciences includes faculty from several departments including Medicine, Pharmacology & Physiology, and Pathology (?). The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to pursue degrees in different departments, depending upon their research interests. It is anticipated that most students will become members of either the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology or Pathology.
Overview
In year 1, students take core interdisciplinary courses in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Cardiovascular Biology, as well as a course in research ethics. Depending upon their research interests, students will take either Physiology or Pathology. These courses provide a firm foundation in basic scientific disciplines that form the core of modern biological sciences. Students are also required to complete three laboratory rotations.
In year 2, students are required to take course(s) selected from a list of upper level elective courses.
Students are required to take a Student Seminar each semester that they are matriculated.
Ph.D. Curriculum
Year 1, Fall Semester
- IND 408 Biochemistry (5 credits)
- IND 409 Cell Biology (4 credits)
- IND 501 Ethics in Research (1 credit)
- PHP 502 or Student Seminar (1 credit)
- PTH 504 Student Seminar (1 credit)
- PHP 403 or Pharmacology and Physiology: A Disease-based Approach I (4 credits)
- PTH 509 Pathways of Human Disease (4 credits)
Year 1, Spring Semester
- PHP 404 or: Pharmacology and Physiology: A Disease-based Approach II (4 credits)
- PTH 510 Pathways of Human Disease (4 credits)
- CVS Cell and Molecular Biology of the Cardiovascular System
- PHP 502 or Student Seminar (1 credit)
- PTH 504 Student Seminar (1 credit)
Elective, such as:
- IND 410 Molecular Biology and Genetics (4 credits)
- IND 447 Signal Transduction (4 credits)
Year 2, Fall Semester
Electives (as needed):
- Cardiovascular courses:
- Topics in Vascular Biology (PHP 440)
- Cardiovascular Development and Differentiation
- Vascular Signal Transduction
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventions
- Extracellular Matrix and Mechanosignalling in the Cardiovascular System
Other courses of interest:
- IND 447 Signal Transduction
- MBI 473 Immunology
- PTH 507 Cancer Biology
- STT 463 Biostatistics
- PTH 505 General Pathology
Year 2, Spring Semester
Electives (as needed):
Year 3 and Beyond
- PhD Research 1-15 credit
Examinations
Qualifying Exam: This exam is usually taken by December of the third year. This exam is designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of basic scientific principles underlying their research, and their ability to think critically and to formulate and defend scientific hypotheses. Students will write a thesis proposal which will be presented in public and then defended orally in front of a formal thesis committee.
Advisors
Each incoming student will choose an advisor after consultation with the Graduate Student Program Director. This person will serve as the student’s advisor until the student has chosen a laboratory/thesis advisor.
Preparation
Students are expected to have a four year bachelor’s degree in one of the biological sciences, with courses in Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology. Students in other scientific disciplines may apply, but may need to remedy course deficiencies before matriculating.