School of Medicine

Departmental E-mail: iusm@iu.edu

Departmental URL: medicine.iu.edu/pathology/education/graduate-degrees/phd

(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 in Pathology and Doctor of Philosophy

Areas of Specialization

Specialization is available in various areas of anatomical, clinical, and experimental pathology. Areas of emphasis are neuropathology, experimental pathology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematopathology, immunohematology, molecular pathology, and others. All Ph.D. degree students and M.S. degree students in the Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Science tracks choose one of these subspecialties for concentrated course work and thesis/dissertation research. M.S. students in the Pathologists’ Assistant track complete courses and practical experiences involving anatomic pathology techniques.

Special Departmental Requirements

(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the M.S. degree must have a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science (formerly medical technology), cytotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, or another biological science or have a bachelor’s degree in another subject area but have completed all of the prerequisite courses for the degree track of interest. A completed application form, transcripts from all colleges attended, letters of recommendation, and scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test must all be received before an application will be considered. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in undergraduate science courses and an interview with the graduate program committee are required. The route of entry into Ph.D. studies in pathology is through the Indiana University School of Medicine BioMedical Gateway (IBMG) program. For IBMG information, visit http://grad.medicine.iu.edu/degree-programs/ibmg.

Master of Science in Pathology Degree

Course Requirements

Requirements vary, according to the area of emphasis.

M.S. Degree in Pathology with Emphasis in an Area of Experimental Pathology

This course of study is recommended for students who have an interest in basic science research and plan careers as research scientists. A minimum of 30 credit hours, including completion of a graduate-level general biochemistry course with a grade of C or higher and C808 Graduate Seminar; a maximum of 2 cred­its of C808 can be applied toward the required 21 credit hours of course work. Most students will also take C693 General and Clinical Pathology. A grade of B or higher is required in C693. At least 21 credit hours must be in courses other than research. At least 3 but not more than 9 credits must be in research.

M.S. Degree in Pathology with Special Concentration in Pathology Laboratory Sciences

This course of study is recommended for students who wish to conduct investigative work in applied laboratory science. Graduates are primed for positions involving clinical teach­ing, laboratory supervision, and research and development. The M.S. with special concentration in one of the subspecialty areas of clinical pathology requires at least 30 credit hours but may require up to 40 credit hours or more, depending on the area of concentration, the background of the student, and the prerequisites needed for certain advanced courses. At least 3 but not more than 9 credit hours in research, a graduate-level biochemistry course, and C808 Graduate Seminar are required; a maximum of 2 credits of C808 can be applied toward the required 21 credit hours of course work. Development of each student’s curriculum of lecture and laboratory courses and of research and teaching requirements will be a joint effort of the student and the graduate advisory committee. Course work differs, depending on whether the M.S. degree is to be focused in the areas of clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hemato­pathology, immunohematology, or another clinical laboratory specialty area.

Thesis

Required for M.S. Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Sci­ence tracks. In special cases, published research may be substi­tuted for the thesis. Consult the graduate advisor.

Final Examination

Oral, on the thesis.

M.S. Degree in Pathology: Pathologists’ Assistant Track

This education prepares individuals to serve as pathologists’ assistants. The pathologists’ assistant is a health professional, qualified by academic and practical training, who assists in providing service in anatomic pathology under the direction and supervision of a qualified anatomic pathologist. The pa­thologists’ assistant assists in the examination, dissection, and processing of tissue samples and participates in gross autopsy dissection. Pathologists’ assistants also assist with education and research in the area of anatomic pathology. This M.S. track is a 22-month program. The first year includes basic science courses in gross anatomy, histology, microbiology, and physiol­ogy. Didactic pathology techniques courses and practical expe­rience make up the second year. Requires 40 credits: 31 course credits and 9 credits from practicum experiences.

Thesis

Not required for M.S. Pathologists’ Assistant track. A thesis op­tion is available. Consult the graduate advisor.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Experimental Pathology

The route of entry into Ph.D. studies is through the Indiana University School of Medicine BioMedical Gateway (IBMG) pro­gram. Admitted students take a common curriculum of didactic courses and rotate in various research laboratories. Selection of a research laboratory at the end of the first academic year determines the student’s degree department. For IBMG infor­mation visit http://grad.medicine.iu.edu/degree-programs/ibmg/.

Course Requirements

A total of 90 credit hours, of which a minimum of 35 credit hours must be in courses other than research. Required courses include a graduate-level general biochemistry course, one addi­tional graduate biochemistry or molecular biology course, C693 General and Clinical Pathology or equivalent, and C808; a maximum of 4 credits of C808 can be applied toward the required  35 credit hours of course work. Additional appropriate courses will be identified by the student’s advisory committee and may be selected from core courses in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine or other graduate basic medical science departments. A minimum of 45 credit hours in dissertation research (C859) is required.

Grades

Overall average of at least a B (3.0). A grade of C or higher in a graduate-level general biochemistry course and a grade of B or higher in C693 General and Clinical Pathology are required.

Minor

At least 12 credit hours in a related discipline or in life science involving lecture/laboratory courses other than research. If a life sciences minor is approved, a minimum of 6 credit hours must be obtained in a single department.

Foreign Language

Not required.

Qualifying Examination

Written and oral, covering course work and research proposal (in form of a National Institutes of Health grant proposal).

Research Proposal

Required (in form of a National Institutes of Health grant proposal); must be approved by student’s advisory committee before completion of dissertation research.

Dissertation

Required.