Doctoral Program of Study in Pathology

The doctoral curriculum comprises study in lecture- and discussion-based courses and laboratory experience extending over one to two years, followed by a comprehensive written and oral qualifying examination. A proposal for dissertation research is then prepared and presented to the student’s individual dissertation committee; the research is performed under the guidance of the major advisor with the help and advice of the committee over the ensuing two or more years. Ultimately, the student writes and defends a dissertation based upon the research performed.

The required courses are listed in Table 1 below. The track chosen and the degree program (PhD or MD/PhD) determine the specific curriculum. For further information on the interdepartmental tracks, please refer to their sections in this publication.

Laboratory rotations are performed as early as possible in the course of studies to: (1) acquaint the students with research opportunities in the program; (2) teach a variety of approaches to research; (3) teach specific research methods; and (4) permit choice of an area for dissertation research. The dissertation research advisor should be chosen and preliminary work in the area of dissertation research begun as early as possible in the second year of study.