Curriculum for Master of Science Degree, Anatomical Sciences Track

The Master of Science degree takes approximately two years, and requires the same first year curriculum as the pre-doctoral students plus one basic health science elective course offered outside the Department Anatomy and Neurobiology. Students conduct an original laboratory research project which is written into a thesis and then defended in a final oral exam.

First year, fall semester
Gross Anatomy (ANAT 609, 9 credits)
Histology (ANAT 611, 5 credits)
Introductory laboratory presentations (ANAT 697, 1 credit)
Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit)

First year, spring semester:
Neuroanatomy (ANAT 610, 5 credits)
Embryology (ANAT 691, 2 credits)
Laboratory rotations (ANAT 697, 7 credits)
Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit)
Students must pass these courses with a grade of B or better. Students who fail to achieve a B will be required to re-take that course. The student must maintain a 3.0 overall cumulative grade point average to continue in the Master's program.

Summer following first year:

Directed Research (ANAT 697, 6 cr. hrs.) Work in the research laboratory their chosen thesis advisor.

Second year:
Directed Research (ANAT 697, 14 credits each semester)
Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit, each semester)
One basic science course outside the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Suggested electives include:

Fall semester electives:
Mammalian Physiology (PHIS 501, 5 credits)
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (ANAT/PHTX 509, 4 credits)
Statistical Methods (BIOS 543, 3 credits)
Immunobiology (MICR 505, 3 credits)

Spring semester electives
Cell Physiology (PHIS 604, 4 credits)
Ion Channels in Membranes (PHIS 620, 3 credits)
Neurochemical Pharmacology (PHTX 632, 3 credits)
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (PHTX 536)

There is no expectation of the time required to complete the Master's degree, usually 2 years of study are necessary to complete the requirements. At the appropriate time in their research, the student will prepare a thesis and schedule a Final Oral Defense of the thesis. The Final Oral Examination (defense of the thesis) will cover the subject of the candidate's dissertation and related basic science coursework.