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MS in Molecular Pathology and Experimental Medicine

Course Information

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Several courses are offered in the fields of molecular biology of cancer, molecular genetics, immunotherapy, and stem cell and regenerative biology. These courses cover various aspects of these disciplines, from the molecular mechanisms of disease to the ethical considerations of stem cell research. Other graduate courses offered include biochemistry, physiology, histology, microbiology, immunology, and genomics and data science.

Education Objective:
To acquire knowledge of mechanisms of disease and receive scientific training to investigate such mechanisms.

Degree Requirements:
34 units; thesis may be based on either original experimental work or scholarly literature review

Core Required Courses (26 Units)

  • 4 units; Spring

    Overview of microbes, their life cycles, and the host responses they elicit, evade, or exploit, including the manipulation and the malfunction of the immune system.

  • 4 units; Fall

    Current perspectives on major research areas in cell biology. Emphasis will be on in-depth examination of cellular structures, regulatory processes, intracellular routing and targeting, and cell/environmental interactions. Cross-listed as BIOC 531, MICB 531, MPTX 531, PATH 531, PHBI 531, PSCI 531

  • 4 units; Fall

    Normal histology and introduction to basic pathological concepts. Provides a solid and basic understanding of normal structures and how they relate to function

  • 4 units; Spring

    Relationship between histopathological and clinical manifestations of disease and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Topics include inflammatory, developmental, environmental, degenerative, and neoplastic disease processes

  • 4 units; Fall

    Structure, function, and metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and related regulatory mechanisms including transcription factors and upstream signaling pathways initiated at the cell membrane.

  • 2 units; Fall

    Includes advanced techniques in cell biology, protein and immunochemistry. A practical approach to acquaint new graduate students with current methodologies and applications used in biomedical research. Duplicates credit in former PATH 552a.

  • 2 units; Spring

    Theory and practice methods useful in experimental pathology; experimental design, statistical analysis, literature analysis, laboratory and radiation safety. Duplicates credit in former PATH 552b.

  • 1 unit; Fall

    1 unit; Spring

    Recent advances in the understanding of diseased cells and tissues are reported and discussed using standard seminars.

  • Experiment-Based Thesis Option

    • Year Two: Fall Semester
      • PATH 594a (2 units) Master’s Thesis
    • Year Two: Spring Semester
      • PATH 594b (2 units) Master’s Thesis
    • Thesis Defense

    For Scholarly-Based Thesis Option 

    • Year Two: Fall/Spring Semester
      • Students should enroll in GRSC 810(0 units)
    • Four additional elective units will need to be taken to fulfill the required 34 units
    • Thesis Defense

Suggested Elective Courses (includes but not limited to the following courses)

There are many other graduate courses offered at the Health Sciences Campus or University Park Campus that cover cancer biology, molecular genetics, stem cell biology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, statistics, pharmacology, regulation, ethics, experimental logic and design, etc. You will have the flexibility to choose the classes that fit your career goals. They must be graduate level courses in the bio-medical field and should be pre-approved by the Pathology Graduate Committee.

  • 4 unit; Fall

    Explores the principles and applications of traditional and state-of-the-art methods in molecular biology and biochemistry with live demonstrations of techniques when feasible.

     

  • 4 unit; Spring

    Do you know the intricacies of the process by which a set of data are refined, organized, and published? Is the process of data collection, organization, or analysis the same for all types of data? Are some journals more finicky about publishing than others? How long does the process of data collection to publication take? This course will explore some of the ‘mysteries’ in this scientific writing and publication process. You will gain an appreciation for the entire process involved in publishing a research article.

  • 4 units; Fall

    Epidemiology, pathobiology, carcinogenesis, tumor biology and heterogeneity, retroviruses, oncogenes, cell cycle control, genetics of cancer, tumor immunology, and treatment strategies.

     

     

  • 2 units, Maximum 4 semesters; Spring

    Weekly research lectures by leading investigators in the field of homeostatic response to injury such as cell death, inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration.

     

     

  • 1-8 units; Fall/Spring/Summer

    Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.

     

  • 4 units; Spring

    Data science and bioinformatics tools in the study of human health and disease using R and Bioconductor for students from non-quantitative backgrounds.

     

     

  • 4 units; Spring

    This is the first part of a two-semester introductory and survey course for the molecular pharmacology and toxicology degree program.