PHD 503 - PHD 508. Seminar in Biomedical Sciences I - VI (1 credit hour each) The objective of these courses is to keep upper level graduate students current on biomedical research in a variety of fields. Students are required to attend eight seminars during each semester (Fall & Spring) of each year for one hour of credit each semester after the first year (6 hours required for graduation). Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall, Spring.

PHD 509 & PHD 510. Biomedical Science Presentation I & II (1 credit hour each) The objective of these courses is to provide students with experience organizing and delivering a research seminar. Students are required to present two 1-hour seminars (1 credit each) open to the attendance of the entire institution during their tenure as graduate students. The research topic is up to the student and may cover the student's own research or be a review of current research in an area of interest. This requirement is explicitly in addition to the student's dissertation defense presentation. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall, Spring.

PHD 513 & PHD 514. Laboratory Rotation I & II (1 credit hour each) The objective of these rotations is to provide students with experiences that will allow them to make an informed choice with respect to the focus of their research and their research advisor. Two 8-week rotations are required of each student and must be carried out in a laboratory in which the student has not previously worked. Rotation sites may include laboratories of MSM graduate faculty, or off-campus sites with the permission of the GEBS Committee. These rotations must be completed before the beginning of the student's second academic year. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHD 517. Graduate Biochemistry: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 1 (4 credit hours) This course includes lecture material in the first portion of the Medical Biochemistry course (MEDI512) described for the first year medical students. It includes additional journal club sessions and essay exams for graduate students. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Gary Sanford, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Summer-Fall. Note: Ongoing revisions to the medical curriculum may result in modifications to the delivery of this course.

PHD 517L. Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 1 Lab (3 credit hours) This course introduces students to theoretical and practical issues in the isolation and manipulation of DNA, RNA, and protein from eukaryotic cells. Technical instruction in the laboratory will be supplemented with lectures on innovative approaches to genomic and proteomic investigation. The course will provide a basis for using these powerful molecular methodologies to solve complex biomedical research program. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Summer-Fall.

PHD 518. Fundamentals of Professional Science (FPS) I (3 credit hours) The first FPS module introduces laboratory safety, basic lab methods, and scientific writing, including the organization and analysis of research papers. It also covers many aspects of scientific integrity and professionalism, and introduces research opportunities at the institution. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 519. Fundamentals of Professional Science (FPS) II (1 credit hour) The second FPS module continues coverage of research papers in a journal-club format, as well as additional research opportunities. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 521. Cells and Tissues: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 2 (3 credit hours) This course surveys cell and tissue structure and function. It provides a rapid, intense review of the methods and basic concepts of cell biology and histology as a foundation for biomedical research. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Brenda Klement, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 521L. Cells and Tissues Lab: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 2 Lab (3 credit hours) This course includes demonstrations and hands-on experience with studies of cell and tissue structure and function. Prepared slides will be examined with microscopes and virtual microscopy to introduce basic concepts and students will complete independent projects involving histological examination of one organ of their choice. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Brenda Klement, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 524. Fundamentals of Biostatistics (3 credit hours) Introduction to biostatistical concepts and tools used in the design and interpretation of experimental studies. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Ahmad Al-Mahmoud, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD 526. Fundamentals of Professional Science (FPS) III (1 credit hour) The third FPS module continues coverage of research papers in a journal-club format. Additional sessions are scheduled to introduce various career opportunities in professional science. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 526. Fundamentals of Professional Science (FPS) IV (1 credit hour) The fourth FPS module continues coverage of research papers in a journal-club format, introduces research proposal writing, surveys funding agencies, and includes sessions on professional science career options. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 528. Biomedical Genetics: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 4 (3 credit hours) This course covers chromosome and gene structure and function, molecular and population genetics, model organisms for genetic studies, as well as molecular pathology, disease susceptibility, and genetic testing. Students will explore the relationships between animal models and human biology and disease, as well as the role of human variation in experimental design, including the value of including all genders, ages, and ethnicities in their studies. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD 528L. Biomedical Genetics Lab: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 4 Lab (3 credit hours) This course includes demonstrations and hands-on exercises to accompany and reinforce material covered in lecture. The labs will include, for example, cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays; karyotyping; mutation analysis, and bioinformatics exercises. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD 529. Organs and Systems: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 3 (3 credit hours) This course covers structural and functional integration from the cellular to organ system level for the Endocrine, Reproductive, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Immune/Lymphoid, Respiratory and Urinary Systems. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Adel Elmoselhi, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD 529L. Organs and Systems Lab: Graduate Cell Biology Sequence, Module 3 Lab (2 credit hours) This course includes demonstrations and hands-on exercises, and prepared slides. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Director: Adel Elmoselhi, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Spring.

PHD 610. Fundamentals of Professional Science (FPS) V (1 credit hour) The fifth FPS module continues instruction in proposal writing in a practical way through development of applications for predoctoral fellowship support. Each student will develop and submit a predoctoral fellowship application for extramural funding. Prerequisite: Enrollment at MSM, Course Directors: Sandra Harris-Hooker, PhD. and Gianluca Tosini, Ph.D., Letter Grade, Offered annually, Fall.

PHD 800. Dissertation Research (Maximum 9 credit hours per semester, Minimum of 25 credit hours required for graduation) This course reflects the student's efforts on his or her dissertation research. In each case, the number of hours, expectations for progress, and the grade given are to be determined by the student's research advisor and his or her dissertation committee. Prerequisite: Admission to Ph.D. Program, Approval of research advisor and course director. Course Director: Doug Paulsen, Ph.D., Pass/Fail, Offered annually, Fall, Spring.

Click to view Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences Elective Courses

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