About the Program
The Graduate Program in Pathology seeks to further the missions of education/research and enhance the growth of biomedical sciences in Oklahoma by educating students in the basic and clinical aspects of Pathology and preparing scientists to be contributors in biomedical research. The discipline of Pathology encompasses and bridges basic and clinical research. Pathology uses cutting-edge molecular, immunologic, biochemical, and genetic tools to uncover the mechanisms of disease and how cells and tissues respond. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in biomedical research and for a future as an independent investigator. Areas of specialization are Molecular pathology, cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, immunopathology, vascular cell biology, neuropathology, autoimmunity, innate immunity, hematological malignancies, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, hematopoiesis, intracellular trafficking, signal transduction, and nanotechnology.
Areas of Specialization
- Molecular pathology
- cancer biology
- cancer therapeutics
- immunopathology
- vascular cell biology
- neuropathology
- autoimmunity
- innate immunity
- hematological malignancies
- inflammation
- Alzheimer’s disease
- aging
- hematopoiesis
- intracellular trafficking
- signal transduction
- nanotechnology
Career Opportunities
Students receiving a PhD degree in Pathology will be prepared for biomedical research careers in academic institutions, hospitals, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical industries.
Cost
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Admission Requirements
Qualified students possessing baccalaureate degrees in a biological science, e.g. biology, biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or zoology, may pursue a PhD degree in Pathology. Students desiring to enter the Pathology Graduate Program should apply to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS). Applicants must follow the general admission procedures and requirements set forth by GPiBS. An application must be filed with the Office of Admissions and be accompanied by official transcripts and, for foreign applicants, TOEFL results. In addition, three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s research potential and suitability for graduate study are required. In special cases, students may apply for admission directly into the Pathology Graduate Program. For further information regarding admission into Pathology, contact rose-herrera@ouhsc.edu.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements
Pathology is a participating department in GPiBS, along with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physiology. GPiBS students participate in a common integrated first-year curriculum which includes three laboratory rotations from a list of mentoring faculty and attendance of seminars and journal club. After completing the GPiBS curriculum, a student may choose a research mentor (major advisor) affiliated with Pathology and set up an advisory committee. In the fall semester of the second year, Pathology graduate students will enroll in advanced courses pertaining to the study of pathology. A student will be allowed to enroll in advanced electives as deemed appropriate by his/her major advisor. A student directly admitted into the Pathology Graduate Program will be placed in the research mentor’s laboratory without participating in the GPiBS rotations; however, the student will be required to complete the GPiBS curriculum unless equivalent course have been previously completed.
A Pathology graduate student must pass both written and oral qualifying examinations to be admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. For the written examination, a student will submit an NIH-style research proposal. This proposal must also be defended at an oral examination where the student’s ability to synthesize and apply information to investigative endeavors will be assessed. Successful completion of the written and oral examinations will result in formal admission to candidacy for the degree. The student’s major advisor and advisory committee will be responsible for assisting with the research project and for preparing the student for a final defense of the dissertation. The student will be responsible for the cost and preparation of the dissertation.
Note: Student’s advisory committee sets the remainder of any needed requirements to meet the 90 hours required for the degree.
Admission Requirements
Qualified students possessing baccalaureate degrees in a biological science, e.g. biology, biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or zoology, may pursue a PhD degree in Pathology. Students desiring to enter the Pathology Graduate Program should apply to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS). Applicants must follow the general admission procedures and requirements set forth by GPiBS. An application must be filed with the Office of Admissions and be accompanied by official transcripts and, for foreign applicants, TOEFL results. In addition, three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s research potential and suitability for graduate study are required. In special cases, students may apply for admission directly into the Pathology Graduate Program. For further information regarding admission into Pathology, contact rose-herrera@ouhsc.edu.
Program Objectives
The Graduate Program in Pathology seeks to further the missions of education/research and enhance the growth of biomedical sciences in Oklahoma by educating students in the basic and clinical aspects of Pathology and preparing scientists to be contributors in biomedical research. The discipline of Pathology encompasses and bridges basic and clinical research. Pathology uses cutting-edge molecular, immunologic, biochemical, and genetic tools to uncover the mechanisms of disease and how cells and tissues respond. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in biomedical research and for a future as an independent investigator.
