Curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree, Anatomical Sciences Track First year, fall semester: Histology (ANAT 611, 5 credits) Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology. (BIOC 503, 5 credits) Introductory laboratory presentations (ANAT 697, 1 credit) Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit) First year, spring semester: Neuroanatomy (ANAT 610, 5 credits) Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology. (BIOC 504, 5 credits) Laboratory Research Rotations (ANAT 697, 4 credits) Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit) Summer Following First Year: Directed Research in Anatomy (ANAT 697, 6 credits). Work in the research laboratory their chosen thesis advisor. Second year, fall semester: Gross Anatomy (ANAT 609, 9 credits) Techniques in Neuroscience and Cell Biology (ANAT 615, 2 credits) Laboratory Research Rotations (ANAT 697, 3 credits) Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit) Second year, spring semester: Embryology (ANAT 691a, 2 credits) Scientific Writing (ANAT 691b, 2 credits Laboratory Research Rotations (ANAT 697, 10 credits) Seminar (ANAT 690, 1 credit) Students also teach assist in Histology, Gross Anatomy and Pharmacy Anatomy courses. Students must achieve a grade of B or better in all courses, otherwise they will be required to re-take that course. Summer following second Year: During the summer following the second year the student will take the written and oral comprehensive exams. Students also register for Directed Research (ANAT 697, 6 credits) and work in the research laboratory their chosen thesis advisor. Written Comprehensive: The written exam consists of two parts. Part one is an open book written exam which is designed to: 1) assess the student's ability to integrate course material and 2) demonstrate critical thinking and evaluation of the literature in the basic health sciences related to student's area of research. For part two, the student will prepare an NIH-style grant proposal based on their research plan. Oral Comprehensive: After successful completion of both parts of the Written Comprehensive Exam, the student's graduate advisor committee will administer the Oral Comprehensive Examination which entails an oral defense of the student's grant proposal as well as the topics covered in part one of the Written Comprehensive. The Oral Comprehensive Exam covers (1) course work (anatomy and other basic health sciences) related to the student's proposed research, (2) the literature cited in or related to the proposal, and (3) the hypotheses, research techniques and procedures presented in the proposal. Successful completion of the Oral Comprehensive Exam advances the student to candidacy for the Doctoral degree. Third academic year and beyond There is no expectation of the time required to complete the doctoral degree. Beginning with the Fall semester of the third year in the graduate program the student will devote their full time to conducting their research in the laboratory of the advisor. Students are also required to register for 14 units of Directed Research (ANAT 697) one unit of Seminar (ANAT 690) each semester. During the summer, students register for six credits of Directed Research (ANAT 697). At the appropriate time in their research, the student will prepare a dissertation and schedule a Final Oral Defense of the thesis. The Final Oral Examination (defense of the dissertation) will be limited to the subject of the candidate's dissertation and related basic science. Electives: While no additional electives are required, students are encouraged to enroll in courses which will enhance their graduate training. Student must maintain a 3.0 overall cumulative grade point average to continue in the doctoral program. Suggested electives include: Fall semester electives: Techniques in Neuroscience and Cell Biology (ANAT 615, 2 credits) Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (ANAT 509, 4 credits) Mammalian Physiology (PHIS 501, 5 credits) Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics (MICR 507, 2 credits) Scientific Integrity (MICR 510, 1 credit) 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) Contact John W. Bigbee for questions, comments regarding this site. Responsible unit - Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Virginia Commonwealth University