Graduate Program in Anatomical Sciences - Degree Requirements
Online application materials available here.
Formal Course Requirements
In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the following courses are required for all students in the program:
1. Human Gross Anatomy & Embryology
2. An approved course in statistics
In addition, students are required to take three elective courses chosen in consultation with the student's advisor from the following list:
1. Molecules, Genes, and Cells
2. Organ Systems
3. Neurosciences
4. Functional Morphology or Animal Mechanics
5. Vertebrate Evolution
6. Principles of Evolution, or Macroevolution
7. Genetics
8. Developmental Biology
Depending on the area of specialization, students will be required to take additional courses, such as Solid Mechanics, Mammalian Evolution, or Biomedical Engineering. All students must achieve a B or higher in all required courses and must maintain a B average or higher in all elective courses.
Preliminary Examination
Upon completion of formal courses (normally at the beginning of the fourth semester), each student is given an oral preliminary examination. Depending on the area of concentration, the examination covers human anatomy, embryology and one or more elective topics (e.g., vertebrate evolution).
Advancement to Candidacy
The faculty will recommend a student to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy upon satisfactory completion of all course requirements and the Preliminary Examination. The student then becomes a formal candidate for the Ph.D.
Dissertation Proposal and Proposal Examination
Following advancement to candidacy, the student selects a Dissertation Advisor and a Dissertation Committee consisting of at least two additional members of the Department of Anatomical Sciences and one person from outside the department. In consultation with this committee, the student prepares a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal examination consists of an oral presentation of this proposal to the faculty as a whole, followed by an oral defense before the Dissertation Committee. This examination should occur no later than 12 months after passing the oral preliminary examination.
Ph.D. Dissertation
The student, under the supervision of the Dissertation Committee, performs the research leading to the preparation of written dissertation. The dissertation must contain the results of original and significant investigation.
Dissertation Defense
Following completion of the dissertation, the student presents his or her findings in a formal public oral defense. The defense is conducted by the Dissertation Committee, but is not chaired by the student's advisor. Following the presentation of results, the student is questioned by members of the committee and by other members of the audience.
Teaching Requirement
Every student is required to teach medical human gross anatomy (HBA 531) at least once before graduation. In addition, students receiving a teaching assistantship are required to teach.
Preliminary Examination
Upon completion of formal courses (normally at the beginning of the fourth semester), each student is given an oral preliminary examination. Depending on the area of concentration, the examination covers human anatomy, embryology and one or more elective topics (e.g., vertebrate evolution). Advancement to Candidacy
The faculty will recommend a student to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy upon satisfactory completion of all course requirements and the Preliminary Examination. The student then becomes a formal candidate for the Ph.D.
Dissertation Proposal and Proposal Examination
Following advancement to candidacy, the student selects a Dissertation Advisor and a Dissertation Committee consisting of at least two additional members of the Department of Anatomical Sciences and one person from outside the department. In consultation with this committee, the student prepares a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal examination consists of an oral presentation of this proposal to the faculty as a whole, followed by an oral defense before the Dissertation Committee. This examination should occur no later than 12 months after passing the oral preliminary examination.
Ph.D. Dissertation
The student, under the supervision of the Dissertation Committee, performs the research leading to the preparation of written dissertation. The dissertation must contain the results of original and significant investigation.
Dissertation Defense
Following completion of the dissertation, the student presents his or her findings in a formal public oral defense. The defense is conducted by the Dissertation Committee, but is not chaired by the student's advisor. Following the presentation of results, the student is questioned by members of the committee and by other members of the audience.
Teaching Requirement
Every student is required to teach medical human gross anatomy (HBA 531) at least once before graduation. In addition, students receiving a teaching assistantship are required to teach.
M.S. Degrees
The Graduate Program in Anatomical Sciences does not accept students whose goal is a master's degree. In exceptional instances, a student already in the program may be awarded an M.S. degree upon completing an approved course of study including (1) a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, (2) passing a comprehensive examination, and (3) submitting a master's thesis.
The Graduate Program in Anatomical Sciences does not accept students whose goal is a master's degree. In exceptional instances, a student already in the program may be awarded an M.S. degree upon completing an approved course of study including (1) a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, (2) passing a comprehensive examination, and (3) submitting a master's thesis.