Medical Education and Graduate Education & Training
The Department of Cell and Neurobiology provides interdisciplinary
training in molecular, cellular and systems biology. Ongoing
programs explore basic mechanisms in molecular and cellular
neurobiology, neurogenetics, endocrinology, pharmacology,
embryogenesis, cell biology, vertebrate
evolution, and nutrition/drug interactions. Disease-oriented
research, bridging basic and clinical disciplines, investigates
inherited or acquired disorders in vision, liver metabolism
and endocrinology. The challenge is to weld interdisciplinary
activities into a conduit for transferring basic science discoveries
into more effective and innovative clinical interventions
in the treatment of disease-related disabilities.
The graduate program of the Department of Cell and Neurobiology
is dedicated to excellence and state-of-the-art training and
education in molecular and cellular aspects of normal function
and in acquired or genetic disorders that cause human disease.
Highly qualified students are selected for admission each
year from a pool of domestic and international applicants.
Professional and intellectual development is fostered through
a broadly based curriculum from which students can tailor
a menu of specialization and by a supportive environment of
faculty interactions. Graduate education is designed to prepare
the student for a lifetime of learning, exploring the limits
of research, teaching and creative activities. Teaching experience
and expertise can be developed in several areas including
cell biology, histology, gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology,
and pharmacology.
Graduate education is designed to prepare the student for
a lifetime of learning, exploring the limits of research,
teaching and creative activities.
Medical Education
Faculty in the Department of Cell and Neurobiology are heavily engaged in medical education at the Keck School of Medicine through their participation and leadership in six course, or disciplines: Gross anatomy, microanatomy, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and embryology. These account for approximately 40% of the curriculum during the first two years of medical school. The department enjoys a reputation for teaching excellence, with many CNB faculty members being annually recognized for their education skills and effectiveness through student awards. Several CNB faculty members have developed innovative teaching methods and learning resources using digital technologies. Recent collaborations with faculty in the Cinematic Arts School at USC are designed to develop new and exciting innovations in medical education by utilizing state-of-the-art multimedia methodologies, methods that promise to more effectively educate medical students for practicing medicine in the twenty-first century.
COURSES COURSE DIRECTORS
Human Gross Anatomy: a clinical and Mikel Snow, Ph.D.
functional study of the human body using cadavers mikelhes@usc.edu
Microanatomy: A functional and structural study by Ruth Wood, Ph.D.
Body tissues and organs as seen microscopically riw@usc.edu
Neuroanatomy: A functional & microscopic study Vijaya Kumari, Ph.D.
Of the internal and external features of the brain vkumari@usc.edu
Pharmacology: A pharmacokinetic study of how Dwight Warren, III, Ph.D.
drugs work dwarren@usc.edu
Embryology: A study of how humans develop with Henry Sucov, Ph.D.
An emphasis on congenital abnormalities Sucov@usc.edu