Programs by Campus
Bloomington
Medical Sciences
School of Medicine
Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology Departmental Email: CMCB@indiana.edu
(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)
Curriculum
Program Information
Each of the five medical sciences disciplines—anatomy; cell, molecular, and cancer biology; pathology; pharmacology; and physiology—administered by the Medical Sciences program of the School of Medicine on the Bloomington campus offers work leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
The program also accepts medical students who wish to take advantage of small classes. The first two years of basic medical instruction include gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, neuroanatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, emergency medicine, immunology, pharmacology, pathology, physical diagnosis, and introduction to medicine (the latter two taught at Bloomington Hospital). The curriculum is drawn from the many courses offered jointly through the School of Medicine and the University Graduate School. At a time when many medical schools are reducing their basic science offerings to medical students, the program at Bloomington should be of significant interest to those who seek a more rigorous training in the physical and biological sciences.
Complete information for the Doctor of Medicine program is provided in the School of Medicine Bulletin.
Anatomy
(See also the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indianapolis.)
Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomy
Special Program Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in the sciences or a substantial knowledge base in these disciplines. The Graduate Record Examination General Test is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of international applicants.
Ph.D. Minor in Anatomy
Students outside the department wishing to obtain a minor in anatomy must take 12 credits hours, including Anatomy A550 and A551.
Master of Science Degree in Anatomy
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, of which 20 credit hours must be in anatomy and cell biology or related courses other than research. A850 seminar must be taken each semester.
Thesis or other approved creative work
Required.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anatomy
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including courses in anatomy and cell biology, a basic course in both physiology and biochemistry, and dissertation. A minimum of 40 credit hours must be in courses other than research. A850 must be taken each semester.
Minor
Minors may be in a variety of disciplines subject to approval of the student’s advisory committee.
Qualifying Examination
Written and oral, designed to test student’s knowledge in anatomical sciences. Examination in the minor area may be required.
Final Examination
Oral defense of dissertation.
Other Provision
One year of supervised teaching experience is encouraged.
Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
Special Program Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in the sciences or a substantial knowledge base in these disciplines. The Graduate Record Examination General Test is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of international applicants.
Master of Science Degree in Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Course Requirements
A total of 36 credits generally including one semester of Biochemistry (B501), Genetics and Bioinformatics (L585), Research Methods (M510), Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature (L523), Molecular Biology of Cancer (M580), and Basics of Scientific Communication (M509) in the first year and Precision Medicine of Cancer (M508) in the second year. This coursework will also include 4 semesters of Seminar in Cancer Biology (M550).
Thesis
Required. The remaining hours to reach a total of 36 credits will consist of research towards the thesis. This research may be either laboratory research or non-laboratoryresearch in a related field.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, generally including one semester of Biochemistry (B501), Genetics and Bioinformatics (L585), Research Methods (M510), Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature (L523), Molecular Biology of Cancer (M580), and Basics of Scientific Communication (M509) in the first year and Precision Medicine of Cancer (M508), Grant Writing (Z620), and Research Ethics (Z620) in the second year. This coursework will also include 6 semesters of Seminar in Cancer Biology (M550) taken during the first three years.
Minor
All students must complete a minor in any area related to cell, molecular and cancer biology. Acceptable topics include genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or microbiology. Minor courses are subject to approval by the student’s advisory/dissertation committee members. Students are also strongly encouraged to complete either Cell Biology (L586) or Developmental Biology (L587).
Qualifying Examination
Written and oral, designed to test student’s knowledge in cell, molecular, and cancer biology. Examination in the minor area may be required.
Dissertation
The remaining hours to reach a total of 90 credits will consist of research towards the dissertation.
Ph.D. Minor in Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
Students outside the department wishing to obtain a minor in Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology are must complete a minimum of 6 credit hours selected from the following courses:
• MSCI-M 510 Research Methods (2 cr.)
• MSCI-M 580 Molecular Biology of Cancer (3 cr.)
• MSCI-M 509 Basics of Scientific Communication (1 cr.)
• MSCI-M 508 Precision Medicine of Cancer (1.5 cr.)
• MSCI-M 550 Seminar in Cancer Biology (1 cr.)
Pathology
See also the Department of Pathology, Indianapolis.
Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
Courses are offered on the Bloomington campus as part of the combined degree program in medicine and on the Indianapolis campus as part of the medical graduate curriculum. A student admitted to one program is also eligible for instruction in the other.
Special Program Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
The degree Doctor of Medicine or good standing as a medical student. Non-majors in pathology admitted by special arrangement with the faculty.
Master of Science Degree in Pathology
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, including 20 credit hours in pathology.
Thesis
Required.
Foreign Language
Reading knowledge of one foreign language desirable.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pathology
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including dissertation and 30 credit hours in pathology or research in pathology.
Foreign Language/Research-Skill Requirement
One of three requirements: (1) reading proficiency in two languages, normally selected from French, German, and Russian; (2) proficiency in depth in one language, normally selected from the above languages; or (3) reading proficiency in one of the languages cited in (1), plus proficiency in biostatistics, biomedical instrumentation, or computer science.
Qualifying Examination
Written and oral.
Final Examination
Oral defense of dissertation.
Pharmacology
See also the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indianapolis.
Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
Special Program Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in the sciences or a substantial knowledge base in these disciplines. The Graduate Record Examination General Test is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of international applicants.
Master of Science Degree in Pharmacology
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, all of which must be taken in the program. At least 20 credit hours must be in courses other than research.
Thesis
Required.
Other Provision
One year of supervised teaching experience is encouraged.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacology
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including 40 credit hours in the program and dissertation.
Minor
Required.
Advisory Committee
To be composed of research advisor, the pharmacology faculty, and an individual from the minor discipline.
Grades
B (3.0) average required.
Qualifying Examination
Consists of two parts: (1) comprehensive written examination, and (2) written research proposal with oral presentation to the advisory committee.
Final Examination
Oral defense of dissertation.
Ph.D. Minor in Pharmacology
Students outside the department desiring to obtain a minor in pharmacology must take F605 and F606.
Other Provision
One year of supervised teaching experience is encouraged.
Physiology
See also the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Indianapolis.
Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
Special Program Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in the sciences or a substantial knowledge base in these disciplines. The Graduate Record Examination General Test is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of international applicants.
Master of Science Degree in Physiology
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, including 12 credit hours in physiology. At least 20 credit hours must be in courses other than research.
Thesis
Required.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Physiology
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including dissertation, and the following courses: P513, P531, P532, M555, C580, and C583. P550 is to be taken each semester prior to admission to candidacy. Other course requirements will be determined by the student’s advisory or research committee.
Foreign Language/Research Skill Requirement
Students must demonstrate proficiency in one of the following areas, as determined by the student’s advisory committee: a foreign language, statistics, or computer skills.
Qualifying Examination
Written and oral.
Final Examination
Oral defense of dissertation.
Other Provision
One year of supervised teaching required.
Ph.D. Minor in Physiology
Students outside the department desiring to obtain a minor in physiology are required to complete a minimum of 6 credit hours in physiology courses other than research.