Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences-Pathobiological Sciences, Ph.D.

(PVMPB)

The emphasis in the doctoral program is placed on original and creative research. The aim of this program is to enable the student to become a self-educating scholar and researcher. The PhD Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) consists of at least four graduate faculty members, two of whom must be from PBS. The GAC should be composed of those faculty members best qualified to direct and evaluate the student’s study plan and research. Minimal course loads are determined by the student with the approval of the GAC and to meet Graduate School requirements, but must meet the following requirements:

1. 54 credits (the equivalent of three years of coursework = 9 credits/semester x 6 semesters) in courses numbered 4000 and above. Must include 24 hours of credit earned outside of Research Courses (VMED 8900  and VMED 9000 ).
2. Students must fulfill the PBS Basic Core Requirements which includes the following courses.
   1. VMED 7004 Introduction to Research (2)

        
   2. BIOL 4123 Immunology (3)

        
   3. BIOL 4132 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics (3)  
   4. PBS 7312 Concepts in Epidemiology (4)

        
   5.  PBS 7417 Pathogenesis of Infectious and Parasitic Agents (1-4)  
   6. PBS 7004 Current Literature in Pathobiological Sciences (1) 
       
   7. VMED 8900 Pre-dissertation Research (1-9)  for laboratory rotation
3. Maximum of 6 hours of 7002 (any department) and 8 hours of 7003 (any department) may be used.
4. Students must pass a general examination documenting that the student has acquired a broad-based scientific knowledge, a detailed understanding of their area of expertise, and can formulate a hypothesis and design an experimental approach to address the problem.
5. A well-written dissertation based on the student’s original research is part of the requirement for a Ph.D. The dissertation must demonstrate a contribution to the student’s major field of study and a mastery of research techniques.