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

Year 1, Spring Semester

Elective, such as:

Year 2, Fall Semester

Electives (as needed):

Other courses of interest:

Year 2, Spring Semester

Electives (as needed):

Year 3 and Beyond

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.

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Advancing our understanding of the basic mechanisms responsible for normal and pathological function of the cardiovascular system.

Related Links

Cardiology

Medicine

Research at URMC