Cell Biology

An MD/PhD student may pursue a PhD in Cell Biology. A total of 90 hours is required for the PhD in Cell Biology.

Up to 30 credit hours toward the PhD in Cell Biology may be applied from the first two years of medical school provided the MD/PhD student is in good academic standing and has passed USMLE Step 1.

Following are the medical school classes that may apply toward the PhD in Cell Biology and the earned graduate hours available:

Course Name	Credit Hours	Major Discipline Content	Course Number
Molecular and Cellular Systems	5	Biochemistry,Genetics, Cell Biology	INDT8108
The Human Structure	7	Anatomy	INDT8124
Disease, Diagnosis and Therapeutics	4	Pharmacology and Pathology	INDT8116
Microbiology and Immunology	6	Microbiology and Immunology	INDT8132
Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary	5	Physiology	INDT8140
Metabolism and Nutrition	5	Biochemistry and Physiology	INDT8148
Blood, Hematopoiesis and Lymphatics	5	Pathology	INDT8156
Biostatistics and Epidemiology	1	Biostatistics	INDT8303
Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal	8	Physiology and Pathology	INDT8264
Neuroscience and Psychiatry	10	Physiology and Neuroscience	INDT8272
Reproductive and Gender-based	5	Physiology	INDT8280

MD/PhD students pursuing the PhD in Cell Biology are required to take the following advanced courses:

Course	Number	Hours
Special Studies in Cell Biology	CELL 5990	2 Hours
Current Topics in Cell Biology	CELL 5960	1 Hour
Cellular and Molecular Developmental Biology	CELL 6063	3 Hours
Research for Doctor's Dissertation	CELL 6980	Variable

An MD/PhD student may participate in the Qualifying Exam during the spring semester of the first academic year in the PhD-track provided the student maintained a B average and completed all required coursework. The Qualifying Exam is comprised of a written component and an oral component.

Upon achieving a passing score on the Qualifying Exam, the student may enroll in CELL 6980 (Research for Doctor's Dissertation).