Pathology Graduate Training Program
Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP) -
CMP Graduate Student Guidelines - MSTP Program

M.D./Ph.D. Students

The overall University and Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP) program requirements for obtaining a Ph.D., as described in this manual, are the same for M.D. /Ph.D. students. However, M.D. /Ph.D. students obtain advance credit for medical school coursework and rotations completed prior to enrollment.

  • M.D./Ph.D. Students -- Coursework

    M.D. /Ph.D. students entering the CMP Program receive 16 credit hours for their M.D. coursework towards the 32 credit hours of coursework required by the University. Two or three laboratory rotations are typically taken during the first two years of the M.D. /Ph.D. training program and students receive 1 credit hour for each rotation. Therefore M.D. /Ph.D. students typically have accumulated 18-19 credit hours of coursework prior to entering the CMP graduate training program. All CMP graduate students are required to enroll in the Pathology Research Seminar (MSCMP 2750) for five terms, though they may excused from this seminar series during the term in which they will defend their thesis. Additional coursework (for 9 hours credit) is typically completed during the 1.5 years after M.D./Ph.D. students enter the CMP graduate program, thereby maximizing the time students can focus on their Ph.D. dissertation research. Students entering the CMP program are required to take MSCMP 2730 (Molecular Mechanisms of Tissue Growth & Differentiation), as well as at least two additional electives of their choice, MSCMP 2770 (Angiogenesis), MSCMP 3740 (Stem Cells), MSCMP 3770 (Cell Therapy), or MSCMP 3780 (Systems Approach to Inflammation). Additonal courses that are required for optional certification in Cellular Approaches to Tissue Engineering and Regeneration (CATER) or the Angiopathy Training Program (ATP) can be found in the student handbook.

      YEAR 1 IN CMP GRADUATE PROGRAM

        FALL TERM
         Course Number and Title  Credits
         MSCMP 2750 Research Seminar  1 Cr
         Elective Required Course  3 Cr

        SPRING TERM

         Course number and Title  Credits
         MSCMP 2730 Molecular Mechanisms of
         Tissue Growth & Differentiation        		  3 Cr
         MSCMP 2750 Research Seminar  1 Cr

        FALL, SPRING or SUMMER TERM

         Course number and Title  Credits
         Elective Required Course  3 Cr

      YEARS 2 and 3 IN CMP GRADUATE PROGRAM

        FALL or SPRING TERMS
         Course number and Title  Credits
         MSCMP 2750 Research Seminar  1 Cr
         MSCMP 2750 Research Seminar  1 Cr
         MSCMP 2750 Research Seminar  1 Cr
  • M.D./Ph.D. Students -- Comprehensive Examination

    All M.D. /Ph.D. students in the CMP graduate training program are required to complete their comprehensive examination by the fall of their second year in CMP. The exam committee consists of the student's faculty mentored at least four (4) additional mentors of graduate faculty and must be pre-approved by the director of CMP. After completing the Comprehensive Examination, students may submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy form. This ensures that students can obtain Ph.D. Dissertation Credit Hours beginning no later than the spring term of the second year. The University requires that Ph.D. students accumulate at least 40 Credit hours of Ph.D. Dissertation Research, which requires a minimum of 1.5 years to complete. Therefore, M.D. /Ph.D. students rapidly progress through this important program milestone. A full description of the Comprehensive examination is described elsewhere in the handbook.

  • M.D./Ph.D. Students -- Ph.D. Dissertation Committee

    Typically, the faculty participants in the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee are the same as in the Comprehensive exam committee. This permits the Dissertation Committee to quickly contribute to the experimental design of the thesis project. Any changes must be approved by the director of CMP. All CMP students are required to meet with their Ph.D. Dissertation Committee at least twice per year. An evaluation form is available from the Graduate Coordinator or from the Departmental CMP Graduate Program website, and must be returned to the Graduate Coordinator after each committee meeting. Additional information regarding the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee can be obtained elsewhere within the handbook.

  • M.D./Ph.D. Students -- Subsequent Years and Completion

    Students focus on dissertation research and are required to meet with their thesis committee every six months to discuss progress and future plans. All students are also required to meet with the program director at least two times each year. A student is awarded a degree upon successfully writing and defending his/her thesis.