Programs by Campus

Indianapolis

Anatomy and Cell Biology

School of Medicine

Departmental E-mail anatinfo@iu.edu

Departmental URL https://medicine.iu.edu/departments/anatomy-cell-biology/

(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

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Special Departmental Requirements

(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a strong background in the sciences. Candidates should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) overall, and 3.0 in science courses. The Graduate Record Examination General Test or Medical College Admission Test is optional. Test of English as a Foreign Language is required of international applicants. It is preferable that graduate study be started in the fall semester. A personal interview may be requested. Applicants will be notified of departmental action by April 15.

Master of Science Degree

The M.S. degree in Anatomy & Cell Biology is offered in two different learning tracks that prepare students for successful careers in either research or education. This is an independent degree and not required as a prerequisite for the doctoral degrees. Both tracks require a total of 30 credit hours for the degree.

Course Requirements for Research Track M.S.

  • This two-year program is designed for individuals who wish to pursue careers in biomedical research and can serve as either a terminal degree or as preparation for PhD studies. Program applicants must have completed a comprehensive series of graduate-level courses on the fundamentals of modern research biology
  • GRDM-G715 Biomedical Sciences I (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G716 Biomedical Sciences II (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G717 Biomedical Sciences III (2 cr)
  • GRDM G801 Cell Biology of the Neuromusculoskeletal System (4 cr) OR GRDM G817 Molecular Basis of Cell Structure and Function (2 cr)
  • GRDM G855 Experimental Design and Biostatistics (1 cr)
  • GRDM G505 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr)
  • ANAT D860 Research (12-15)*
  • ANAT D861 Seminar (2 cr)**
  • Electives (0-3 cr)***

Elective Courses

  • ANAT-D501 Human Gross Anatomy (5 cr)
  • ANAT-D502 Basic Histology (4 cr)
  • ANAT-D710 History of Anatomy (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D856 Advanced Histology (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D864 Advanced Gross Anatomy (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D875 Advanced Neuroanatomy (1-5 cr)
  • BIOL-55900 Endocrinology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-56100 Immunology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-57410 Molecular and Cellular Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-69700 Special Topics Frontiers of Biology (1-3 cr)
  • GRDM-G747 Principles of Pharmacology (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G748 Principles of Toxicology 1 (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G819 Basic Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F505 Solving Clinical Problems (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F595 Advanced Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F701 Research in Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F780 Special Topics in Physiology (1-24 cr)

Total credits required for degree = 30 semester hours

*At least 12 hours of D860 Research is required, but no more than 15 hours may be applied toward degree. 

**Enrollment in D861 Seminar (1) is required each year in program, which would be 2 credits assuming two years for degree completion.

*** The student may use additional electives in their plan of study with the approval of the graduate adviser

Research

Successful oral defense of thesis or paper presented to three members of ACB graduate faculty. Participation in this program does not require the traditional anatomical courses. Applications for the Research Track are considered only after the potential student reaches a mentoring agreement with a faculty member with whom the research work will be done.

Course Requirements for Clinical Anatomy Track M.S.

This one-year non-thesis program provides students with a rigorous background in the traditional anatomical disciplines, coupled with supervised experiences teaching anatomy or conducting anatomy education research.

Program requirements include:

  • ANAT-D501 Human Gross Anatomy (5 cr)
  • ANAT-D502 Basic Histology (4 cr)
  • ANAT-D527 Neuroanatomy: Contemporary and Translational (3 cr)
  • ANAT D853 Human Developmental Anatomy (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F503 Human Physiology (5 cr)
  • BIOC-B 500 Introductory Biochemistry (3 cr.)
  • ANAT D700 Educational Research Practicum (2) OR ANAT D878 Anatomy Teaching Practicum (2 cr)
  • ANAT D861 Seminar (1 cr)
  • Electives (4 cr)*

Elective Courses for Clinical Anatomy M.S. Track

  • ANAT-D710 History of Anatomy (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D856 Advanced Histology (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D864 Advanced Gross Anatomy (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D875 Advanced Neuroanatomy (1-5 cr)
  • BIOL-55900 Endocrinology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-56100 Immunology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-57410 Molecular and Cellular Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-69700 Special Topics Frontiers of Biology (1-3 cr)
  • GRDM-G747 Principles of Pharmacology (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G748 Principles of Toxicology 1 (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G801 Cell Biology of the Neuromusculoskeletal System (4 cr)
  • GRDM-G819 Basic Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F505 Solving Clinical Problems (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F595 Advanced Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F701 Research in Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F780 Special Topics in Physiology (1-24 cr)

*The student may use additional electives in their plan of study with the approval of the graduate adviser

Grades For MS degree programs

Students must maintain an overall B (3.0) average in course work and earn and no less than a B- in any required or elective course.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology offers two Ph.D. tracks.  The Research Track is for students looking to pursue careers in laboratory research and most students enter through the Indiana BioMedical Gateway Program (IBMG), or through the direct admit portal if interested in pursuing a research-based program in the classical anatomical sciences. The Education Track is for students who desire a career focus in anatomical teaching and educational research.

Course Requirements for the Anatomy & Cell Biology Research Track Ph.D.

A total of 90 credit hours are required. A minimum of 32 credit hours must be in courses other than dissertation research and lab rotations. Students should confirm the plan of study with the graduate program advisor.

Required Major courses:

The student must take four (4) courses from the following list of major electives:

  • GRDM-G715 Biomedical Sciences I (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G716 Biomedical Sciences II (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G717 Biomedical Sciences III (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D501 Human Gross Anatomy (5 cr) or ANAT D528 Gross Anatomy for Health Care Professionals (5 cr)
  • ANAT-D502 Basic Histology (4 cr)
  • ANAT-D527 Neuroanatomy: Contemporary and Translational (3 cr) or ANAT-D701 Translational Neuroscience (5 cr)
  • ANAT-D853 Human Developmental Anatomy (3 cr)

The student must take 1-2 cell biology courses in cell biology selected from the following list:

  • GRDM-G801 Cell Biology of the Neuromusculoskeletal System (4 cr)
  • GRDM-G817 Molecular Basis of Cell Structure and Function (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G819 Basic Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • GRDM-G852 Concepts of Cancer Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-720 Stem Cell Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G852 Concepts of Cancer Biology (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Systems Biology (2 cr)
  • PHAR-G751 Advanced Concepts in Cytosolic and Nuclear Signal Transduction (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G729 Introduction to Immunological Systems (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G743 Fundamentals of Electrical Signaling & Ion Channel Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G744 Neuropharmacology of Synaptic Transmission: Receptors and Ligands (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G745 Intracellular Signal Transduction (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G761 Molecular & Cellular Physiology of Ion Channels (1 cr)

All first-year IBMG PhD students complete three, eight-week rotations GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Science (2 cr each)

Required Research Skill courses:

Students are required to take the following research skills courses:

  • One of the following research ethics courses:
    • GRDM-G504 Introduction to Research Ethics (2 cr)
    • GRDM-G505 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr)
    • GRDM-G506 Responsible Conduct of Translational Research (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G507 Reagent Validation as a Means for Enhanced Research Reproducibility (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G855 Experimental Design and Biostatistics (1 cr)
  • One of the following research communications courses
    • ENGL-W 533 Science Writing for Public Readers: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • COMM-C 534 Distilling Your Message: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • COMM-C 533 Improvisation for Scientists: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • GRDM-655 Research Communications Seminar (1 cr)
  • ANAT-D861 Anatomy seminar (1 cr) Note: 2 credits of Seminar D861 are required before the Nomination to Candidacy eDoc can be submitted. The student is encouraged but not required to continue taking this course after the Qualifying Exam.

Minor Courses

A minimum of 12 credit hours of course work other than dissertation research and lab rotations in a related program (e.g., biochemistry, biophysics, education, medical genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, statistics, toxicology, or life science). For a minor in life science, at least 6 credit hours must be taken in one department. The minor must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Elective Courses

Electives approved for the ACB Research Track PhD include the modular courses maintained by the Indiana BioMedical Gateway (IBMG) Program. Current modular courses include the following:

  • GRDM-G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G852 Concepts of Cancer Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G749 Introduction to Structural Biology (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Systems Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G807 Structural and Chemical Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G725 Gene Therapy (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G817 Molecular Basis of Cell Structure and Function (2 cr)
  • PHAR-G751 Advanced Concepts in Cytosolic and Nuclear Signal Transduction (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G729 Introduction to Immunological Systems (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G727 Animal Models of Human Disease (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G728 Fundamental Concepts of Infection and Pathogenesis (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G736 Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Function in Health and Disease (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G735 Cardiovascular, Renal and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G733 Intro to Biological Microscopy (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G743 Fundamentals of Electrical Signaling & Ion Channel Biology (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G745 Intracellular Signal Transduction (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G744 Neuropharmacology of Synaptic Transmission: Receptors and Ligands (2 cr)
  • GRDM-G747 Principles of Pharmacology (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G761 Molecular & Cellular Physiology of Ion Transport (1 cr)
  • GRDM-G748 Principles of Toxicology 1 (1 cr)
  • PHAR-F828 Principles of Pharmaceutical Toxicology in the 21st Century (2 cr)

Non-modular courses that are approved as electives include the following:

  • ANAT-D710 History of Anatomy (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D856 Advanced Histology (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D864 Advanced Gross Anatomy (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D875 Advanced Neuroanatomy (1-5 cr)
  • BIOL-55900 Endocrinology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-56100 Immunology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-57410 Molecular and Cellular Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • BIOL-69700 Special Topics Frontiers of Biology (1-3 cr)
  • GRDM-G801 Cell Biology of the Neuromusculoskeletal System (4 cr)
  • GRDM-G819 Basic Bone Biology (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F505 Solving Clinical Problems (3 cr)
  • PHSL-F595 Advanced Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F701 Research in Physiology (1-15 cr)
  • PHSL-F780 Special Topics in Physiology (1-24 cr)

The student may use additional electives in their plan of study with the approval of the graduate adviser

Course Requirements for the Anatomy & Cell Biology Education Track Ph.D.

A total of 90 credit hours are required.

Required Major courses:

  • GRDM-X620 Human Structure (9 cr)
  • GRDM-X630 Molecules to Cells and Tissues (7 cr)
  • ANAT-D527 Neuroanatomy: Contemporary and Translational (3 cr) or GRDM-X660 Neuroscience and Behavior (6 cr) or ANAT-D701 Translational Neuroscience (5 cr)
  • GRDM-X640 Fundamentals of Health and Disease (6 cr) or PHSL-F503 Human Physiology (5 cr)
  • ANAT-D861 Anatomy Seminar (1 cr) 2 credits of Seminar D861 are required before the Nomination to Candidacy eDoc can be submitted. The student is encouraged but not required to continue taking this course after the Qualifying Exam.
  • ANAT-D878 Anatomy Teaching Practicum (2 cr), three teaching rotations (Note: Education track students are required to teach all three semesters and teaching will be evaluated formally in three different departmental courses. These formally evaluated teaching rotations are required before the Nomination to Candidacy eDoc can be submitted).
  • Two statistics courses
    • EDUC-Y502 Intermediate Stat Applied to Educ (3 cr) or PBHL-B551 Biostatistics for Public Health I (3 cr)
    • EDUC-Y 650 Topics In Inquiry Methodology (3 cr) or EDUC-Y604 Multivariate Analysis in Educ Res (3 cr) or PBHL-B562 Biostatistics for Public Health II (3 cr)

Minor Courses

  • A minimum of 18 credit hours of education course work, including the following courses:
  • MSCI-M620 Pedagogical Methds in Hlth Sci (3 cr) or SHRS-W672 Teaching Practicum in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (3 cr).
  • EDUC-J500 Instruct in Context of Curric (3 cr) or EDUC C750 Curric in Higher Educ (3 cr)
  • EDUC-P540 Learning & Cognition in Educ (3 cr)
  • EDUC-Y611 Qualitative Inquiry in Educ (3 cr)
  • EDUC-Y521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry (3 cr) or EDUC-Y520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry (3 cr)
  • One course selected from the following list:
    • EDUC-Y525 Survey Research Methodology (3 cr)
    • EDUC-Y603 Statistical Design of Education Research (1-3 cr)
    • EDUC-C750 Topical Seminar (3 cr)
    • or another education course if approved by the program advisor

Elective Courses

The student must take a minimum of 9 hours of advanced coursework in the biomedical sciences, education, or statistics. Approved electives include:

  • ANAT-D700 Educational Research Practicum (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D710 History of Anatomy (2 cr)
  • ANAT-D853 Human Developmental Anatomy (3 cr)
  • ANAT-D856 Advanced Histology (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D864 Advanced Gross Anatomy (1-5 cr)
  • ANAT-D875 Advanced Neuroanatomy (1-5 cr.)
  • EDUC-Y612 Critical Qualitative Inquiry I (3 cr)
  • EDUC-C795 Dissertation Proposal Prep (3 cr)
  • One of the following research communications courses
    • ENGL-W 533 Science Writing for Public Readers: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • COMM-C 534 Distilling Your Message: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • COMM-C 533 Improvisation for Scientists: Communicating Science (1 cr)
    • GRDM-655 Research Communications Seminar (1 cr)
  • OLS-53010 Mixed Methods Research 3 Credits (3 cr)
  • PSY-60800 Measurement Theory and the Interpretation of Data (3 cr)
  • STAT-53300 Nonparametric Statistics (3 cr)

The student may use additional electives in their plan of study with the approval of the graduate adviser

Requirements for both the Research and Education tracks

Grades

  • Students must maintain an overall B (3.0) average in course work and earn and no less than a B- in any required or elective course.

Qualifying Examination for Ph.D. Candidacy

  • The students Advisory Committee will administer both written and oral exams to assess the student’s preparedness to carry out a rigorous program of biomedical or educational research.

Final Examination

  • The student’s Research Committee will set the date for the student’s oral defense of the dissertation. Further details of departmental policies will be made available to the student on request and at the time of enrollment.

Academic Bulletins

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