ARCHE Program: In addition to the elective courses listed below, PhD students enrolled at MSM are eligible to take graduate elective courses at any institution of higher education in the Atlanta area. These include Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Clark Atlanta University. Students are advised to make arrangements with MSM's Registrar well in advance of the beginning of any course offered through the ARCHE Program to assure registration deadlines are met.

PHD525. Laboratory Rotation III (1 credit hour) This is an elective lab rotation. Students may receive credit for a maximum of 3 lab rotations (2 core and 1 elective). The objective of the core rotations is to help students make an informed choice with respect to their research focus their major research advisor. This 8-week elective rotation requires students to work in a laboratory other than that of the major advisor to develop additional skills and experience that may be helpful in their dissertation project. Rotation sites may include laboratories of MSM graduate faculty, or off-campus sites with the permission of the GEBS Committee. Prerequisites: PHD 513, PHD 514, Permission of Major Advisor, Permission of Lab Director, Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall, Spring.

PHD600. Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credit hours) The objective of this course is to provide graduate students with an understanding of contemporary molecular biology concepts and their application to basic biomedical research and to disease processes. Faculty members present an overview of areas that may include replication, transcription, gene expression, protein stability and folding, along with selected signal transduction pathways. The format includes direct student participation in which each individual is required to do two lecture presentations. Students will be assigned to an individual faculty member who is expected to guide them in their selection and preparation of papers for presentation. A final written exam is required in which each student must write an abstract for a research paper based on information provided regarding the experimental system, methods and resultant data. The abstract must reflect good organization, clarity, conciseness and the use of correct grammar. In addition to an in-depth review of molecular biology concepts, students gain experience in seminar presentation. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of the course director; permission of Major Advisor. Course Director: Deborah Lyn, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall or Spring.

PHD601. Physiology I (4 credit hours) The basis of this course is the first part of the Medical Physiology course (MEDI502) Morehouse School of Medicine - All Rights Reserved 720 Westview Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30310-1495 Phone 404.752.1500 for first year medical students. Ph.D. students attend common classes and are required to take an essay exam in addition to the objective exam taken by the medical students at the end of each unit of the course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor. Course Director: Adel Elmoselhi, M.D., Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall. Note: Ongoing revisions of the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.

PHD 602. Physiology II (6 credit hours). The basis of this course is the second part of the Medical Physiology course (MEDI502) for first year medical students. Ph.D. students attend common classes and are required to take an essay exam in addition to the objective exam taken by the medical students at the end of each unit of the course. Prerequisite: PHD601 and permission of the course director. Permission of Major Advisor. Course Director: Adel Elmoselhi, M.D., Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring. Note: Ongoing revisions of the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.

PHD 605. Hot Topics in Biology and Biomedical Science (3 credit hours). The primary goal of this course is to improve skills in critical scientific thinking and evaluation, oral presentation of scientific research data, and scientific writing. The course will also focus on the process of peer review and exploration of exciting scientific findings and state-of-the-art scientific methodology. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor Permission of course director. Course Director: Ernest Steele, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD651. Introduction to Pathology (3 credit hours). This course covers the general principles of pathology as presented in the first unit of the medical student's Pathology course (M606). It may include additional journal club sessions and/or essay exams for graduate students. Topical material includes general processes common to many diseases, such as the reactions of cells and tissues to injury and neoplasia, and disorders that are not necessarily organ specific, such as infections nutritional diseases, immune diseases, and environmental disorders. Specific attention is paid to causes, pathogenic mechanisms, morphological and functional effects associated with the reactions. Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions utilizing fixed gross specimens, histology preparations, color prints and color transparencies and other graphic material to illustrate morphological and functional changes in disease and to reinforce the lecture material. Selected clinical case simulations and discussions related the morphology and functional disturbances to clinical signs and symptoms that occur in an affected patient. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor Permission of course director. Course Director: Marjorie Smith, M.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD653. Concepts of Immunology (3 credit hours). This course teaches graduate students concepts and methodologies used in immunological research. Graduate students must attend the Immunology sessions for medical students and take their exam. In addition, graduate students meet for indepth discussion of experimental design and methods to measure immune responses. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD654. Medical Bacteriology (4 credit hours). This section of the Medical Microbiology and Immunology course covers bacterial structure, metabolism, and genetics, as well as the pathogenic bacteria associated with human infection. Additional graduate sessions include journal clubs and lectures on experimental concepts in medical microbiology.) Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor Permission of course director Course Director: To be named, Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD656. Medical Virology (2 credit hours).This course concentrates on the viruses of medical importance. It provides a basic understanding of the mechanisms of replication, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of viral diseases. One lecture a week is devoted to a more detailed understanding of the molecular aspects of viral replication. Grading is based on a series of quizzes and an overall written exam. In addition, students will prepare an in-class oral presentation of a current research topic. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director, PHD 600 recommended. Course Director: Michael Powell, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD657. Principles of Pharmacology (1 credit hour). This course covers the general principles of pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. In this first unit of the medical student's Pharmacology and Toxicology course (M603), students are introduced to the effects of drugs on the body and the effects of the body on drugs. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director, Course Director: Evan Williams, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD700. Cell & Developmental Biology (3 credit hours). This course will introduce students to the dynamics of embryonic development. Lectures, student presentations, and discussions will familiarize students with one of the most incredible processes in the living world: embryonic development. Lectures will focus on a variety of well-characterized developmental models and processes. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director, Course Director: Winston Thompson, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered even years, Spring.

PHD702. Advances in Reproductive Biology (3 credit hours). This course involves required classroom sessions and seminar attendance. Selected areas will be reviewed by the Faculty and relevant research papers will be assigned for student presentation and class discussion. Topics will include an introduction to the embryology of gonadal differentiation, and comprehensive reviews of the published literature in genetic, molecular, endocrine, and neuroendocrine research; especially as they impact the diagnosis and treatment of male and female reproductive pathology. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director, Course Director: Kelwyn Thomas, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered even years, Spring.

PHD704. Cell and Molecular Neurobiology (4 credit hours). The course covers the major advancements in modern neuroscience. Lectures will discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment, neuronal function and glial differentiation. In addition, the molecular and functional organization of sensory, motor and regulatory systems will be presented. Ligand and voltage gated signal transduction, learning and memory, neuroendocrine regulation and behavior and neural control of circadian rhythm will also be covered. Additional journal club sessions may be included. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director, Course Director: Gianluca Tosini, PhD Letter grade. Offered annually, Spring.

PHD706. Molecular Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Science (3 credit hours). The course will provide students with an understanding of the cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms involved in the field of cardiovascular science. Special emphasis will be placed on reading and interpreting the original literature, integrating information to develop new approaches, and organizing research literature to develop an understanding of the complex issues in cardiovascular science. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Leonard Anderson, PhD Letter grade. Offered annually, Spring

PHD749. Supervised Research (Maximum 8 credit hours per semester).The course provides credit for supervised research efforts beyond the required laboratory rotations, but before achieving degree candidacy and beginning dissertation research. The number of hours, expectations for progress, and grade are to be determined by the student's research advisor (and dissertation committee, if selected). Credits awarded for this course do not count toward the minimum requirement for elective credit or for dissertation research credit. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor and lab director; permission of course director. Course Director: Doug Paulsen, PhD Pass/Fail. Offered annually, Fall, Spring

Special Topics Courses
A variety of 1-or-2-hour elective courses may be arranged with MSM graduate faculty members to provide in-depth coverage of topics important to developing expertise in areas not covered specifically by other courses currently available in the MSM graduate curriculum. Students must arrange these courses with one or more graduate faculty members. A member of the MSM graduate faculty must be designated as course director and submit a course description of the proposed course to the Ph.D. Curriculum Committee for approval. Select from the course numbers listed below to indicate the appropriate general topic area. Once the course is approved and the student has obtained signed permission from both the course director and his/her advisor, the student may register with the registrar.

PHD750. Special Topics in Anatomy
PHD751. Special Topics in Biochemistry
PHD752. Special Topics in Bioinformatics 
PHD753. Special Topics in Cardiovascular Biology
PHD754. Special Topics in Cell Biology 
PHD755. Special Topics in Clinical Research 
PHD756. Special Topics in Developmental Biology 
PHD757. Special Topics in Immunology 
PHD758. Special Topics in Microbiology
PHD759. Special Topics in Neurobiology 
PHD760. Special Topics in Pathology 
PHD761. Special Topics in Pharmacology
PHD762. Special Topics in Physiology 
PHD763. Special Topics in Reproductive Biology
PHD764. Special Topics in Science Education 
PHD765. Special Topics in Space Medicine & Life Sciences
PHD766. Special Topics in Toxicology

Approved Special Topics Courses
Several special topics courses have already been developed and approved and are available to Ph.D. students with less advanced planning.

PHD751. Special Topics in Biochemistry: Cancer Biology (2 credit hours). This course provides a background for understanding a number of genetic, cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer biochemistry. Students will critically assess and discuss research and review articles as a means to develop and hone their knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor, permission of course director. Course Director: Gary Sanford, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall or Spring.

PHD752. Special Topics in Bioinformatics (2 credit hours). The primary objective of this course is to familiarize students with the basics of searching various public databases using a problem-based, hands on approach in the E-lab. The goal is to make the student more comfortable and competent in using the databases and interpreting the significance of the information recovered. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall or Spring.

PHD759. Special Topics in Neurobiology I: Electrophysiology (2 credit hours). The overall goal of this course is to improve the understanding of cellular communication within the nervous system and its involvement in neuroprotection and neurodegenerative disorders.. The objectives include understanding the ionic basis of the generation and conduction of membrane potentials as well as synaptic plasticity. Study will begin with a review of fundamentals and proceed to more advanced topics based on student knowledge and interests. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Peter MacLeish, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD759. Special Topics in Neurobiology II: Neuroprotection & Neurodegenerative Disorders (2 credit hours). The overall goal of this course is to improve the understanding of cell-to-cell electrical communication within the nervous system. The objectives include understanding neurotrophic and growth factor signaling, mechanisms of apoptosis, neuroprotection and neurodegenerative disorders. The ionic basis of the generation and conduction of membrane potentials will be reviewed followed by discussion and critical analysis of reports of research in the fields of neuroprotection and neurodegenerative disorders. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Byron Ford, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall or Spring.

PHD762. Special Topics in Physiology: Biophotonics (2 credit hours). This course will reinforce principles introduced in Cell & Tissues and translate the "snapshots" of eukaryotic cell and tissue structure and function into "movies" of molecular dynamics and the plasticity of cell biology. The objectives are to: a. Introduce and survey biophotonic principles techniques and applications; b. Provide hands-on training for graduate students wishing to apply biophotonic approaches in their dissertation research; c. Relate cell and tissue dynamics and plasticity to biological function and disease; and d. Provide a systems-biology approach and vivid views for delineation of functional changes derived from specific alteration of cellular dynamics and plasticity, as well as validation of phenotypic changes seen from static images of particular structural and functional alterations. The course will involve informal classroom sessions, journal club sessions, and laboratory exercises on assigned topics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Xuebiao Yao, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall or Spring.

Medical School Basic Science Courses Available as Ph.D. Program Electives

MEDI510. Human Morphology (14 credit hours). This course is an introduction to the structure and function of the human body for first-year medical students. It integrates the major topics in human cell biology, histology, embryology and gross anatomy. The emphases are on: (1) defining the principles of organization of cells, tissue and organs in systemic and regional anatomy, and (2) utilizing these principles to correlate structure with function. The course incorporates lecture, laboratory, and small group discussion format. It includes complete dissection of the human body, microscopic examination of cells, tissues and organs, radiological anatomy, and demonstrations. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Directors: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D. and Lawrence Wineski, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Summer-Spring. Note: Ongoing revisions of the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.

MEDI508. Neurobiology (7 credit hours) The basic anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system are integrated in this course. The major portion of the course is organized by systems, i.e., sensory (e.g., visual, auditory). motor, limbic, and autonomic. In the laboratory, gross and microscopic sections of the brain and spinal cord are studied. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: John Patrickson, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring. Note: Ongoing revisions of the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.

MEDI601. Nutrition (1 credit hour) This course is designed to increase student understanding of the basic nutrition principles needed for general patient care. Course content includes: nutritional assesssment and support; diet and disease trends; nutritional disorders. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Marjorie Smith, M.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall. Note: Ongoing revisions of the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.


MEDI603. Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology (7 credit hours). This course is for second-year medical students and graduate students. Course lectures include: introduction to the principles of pharmacokinetics (how the body acts on the drug) and pharmacodynamics (how the drug acts on the body) and a survey of major classes of therapeutic agents with emphasis on their mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse affects, and drug interactions. The course incorporates lectures, small-group sessions (patient-oriented problem solving; peer assisted learning), case studies, clinical correlation conferences and objective-based examinations. Course includes PHD657. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Evan Williams, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall- Spring.

MEDI606. Pathology (12 credit hours). This course is a required course for medical students. It introduces the student to the study of disease and serves as a bridge between the basic and clinical sciences. The first part of the course deals with general processes of pathology that are common to many diseases including cell and tissue reactions to injury, neoplasia, and non-organ-specific disorders such as genetic diseases, immune diseases, environmental disorders, infections, and nutritional diseases. The remainder of the course involves discussions of organ-specific disease states (systemic pathology). Specifically, the course covers causes, pathogenic mechanisms, morphological and functional effects of diseases, and relates these to the patient in terms of prevention, diagnosis, natural history, course and prognosis. The course also incorporates principles relating effective use of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis of selected diseases. An important aspect of the course is the introduction to the language of medicine and correct use of medical terminology. Teaching methods include lectures, simulated clinical case discussions, laboratory sessions utilizing fixed gross specimens, glass slides color prints and transparencies. The case simulations allow the student to correlate clinical information with the morphology. These case vignettes also allow the student to begin to organize clinical data from various sources in order to solve clinical problems and strengthen skills in clinical reasoning. Course includes PHD651. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the first-year core curriculum; permission of Major Advisor; permission of course director. Course Director: Marjorie Smith, M.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall-Spring.

Morehouse School of Medicine reserves the right to terminate or modify program requirement content, and the sequence of program offerings from semester to semester or year to year, for educational reasons which it deems sufficient to warrant such actions. Further, MSM reserves the right to terminate programs for financial or other reasons which it determines warrant such action. The content, schedule, requirements, and means of course presentation may be changed at any time by the School of Medicine for educational reasons which it determines are sufficient to warrant such action. Programs, services or other activities of the School may be terminated at any time due to reasons beyond the control of the School including but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, destruction of premises, labor disturbances governmental order, financial insolvency or other reasons or circumstances beyond the control of the School of Medicine