Cellular Biology and Anatomy (Ph.D.) Program
William Mayhan, Ph.D., Professor and Head
The goal of graduate education in the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy is to provide a broad-based foundation in the anatomical sciences, including anatomy, cell biology, neuroscience, developmental biology, and pathology while providing students with the necessary background to design and perform experiments in the modern biomedical sciences. Programs leading to a Ph.D. degree in Cellular Biology and Anatomy are flexible and individually designed to meet the needs of a student who may wish to pursue a career in biomedical research in an academic or industrial environment or to pursue a teaching career in the biomedical or allied health professions. Concepts and principles of biomedical research are stressed in both the classroom and the laboratory. Competitive laboratory research and investigation are stressed from the beginning of the student’s career. Basic introductory and advanced courses are offered in various disciplines, but particularly in the areas of neuroscience, cardiovascular service,cell biology, cancer biology, immunology, and pathology. Permission from the course director is required for registration in any advanced course.
The Department offers programs of study in cell biology, immunobiology, neuroscience, pathology, cardiovascular and cancer research which are tailored for individual students. Students in the Ph.D. program generally complete the core curriculum and two-advanced courses in their research areas, before beginning full-time research to complete a dissertation (Ph.D.).