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MS in Molecular Pathology and Experimental Medicine

Course Information

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Courses are offered in pathology, molecular genetics, stem cell and regenerative biology, viral oncology, and molecular biology of cancer. Other graduate courses offered include biochemistry, physiology, histology, microbiology and immunology.

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

  • 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

    Recent advances in the understanding of diseased cells and tissues are reported and discussed using standard seminars, as well as autopsy organ reviews.

  • 1 unit; Fall

    Recent advances in the understanding of diseased cells and tissues are reported and discussed using standard seminars, as well as autopsy organ reviews.

  • 2-2-0 units

    For Experiment-Based Thesis Option

    • Year Two Fall Semester
      • PATH 594a (2 units) Master’s Thesis (Fall Admission)
      • PATH 594b (2 units) Master’s Thesis (Spring Admission)
    • Year Two Spring Semester
      • PATH 594a (2 units) Master’s Thesis (Fall Admission)
      • PATH 594b (2 units) Master’s Thesis (Spring Admission)
    • PATH 594z (0 units) Master’s Thesis if student does not complete degree after 2nd Year
    • Graded IP/CR/NC (no letter grade).

  • 0 units

    For Theory-Based Thesis Option

    • Student should enroll in GRSC 810 (0 units) Studies for Master’s Examination in the semester during which the comprehensive examination is to be taken if not otherwise enrolled.
    • Graded IP/CR/NC (no letter grade).

Suggested Elective 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.

  • 1 unit; Fall

    Recent advances in the understanding of diseased cells and tissues are reported and discussed using standard seminars, as well as autopsy organ reviews.

     

  • 1 unit; Fall

    Recent advances in the understanding of diseased cells and tissues are reported and discussed using standard seminars, as well as autopsy organ reviews.

  • 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.

     

  • 2 units; Fall

    Broad aspects of RNA and DNA viral oncology from epidemiology to molecular genetics. (Duplicates credit in former PATH-630)