GEBS Course Catalog
GEBS 500 - Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course provides students with knowledge of patterns of disease occurrence in
human populations and factors that influence these patterns. This course is designed
to enable students to identify and use systematic procedures that are helpful in determining
epidemiological relationships. Principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation,
both of infectious and non-infectious diseases are discussed. Prerequisites: GEBS
524 Fundamentals of Biostatistics, enrollment in MSCR program or permission of course
and program director. Spring. Letter Grade, Course Director: Lee Caplan, PhD
GEBS 501 – Introduction to Medical Informatics (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
The course will address using data from clinical information systems in performing
clinical research including the strengths and limitations of these data. Topics include:
overview of medical informatics, discussion of the nature of computer-based data including
medical vocabularies, large databases, the web, and confidentiality-related issues.
Prerequisites: enrollment in MSCR program or permission of course and program director.
Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S.
GEBS 502 – Introduction to Principles of Clinical Research (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course is offered in collaboration with NIH, and delivered through video-conferencing.
This course provides an overview and introduction to the various types of clinical
research including patient-oriented research, epidemiology, behavioral sciences and
health services research, and introduction to evidence-based medicine for clinical
researchers. The course introduces protocol design, mentoring development, and gathering
of evidence, including decision analysis. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR program
or permission of course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade, Course Director:
Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S.
GEBS 503-508 – Seminar in Biomedical Sciences I-VI (1 credit hour each; PhD, MSBR,
and MSBT core)
Students attend a minimum of 6 research seminars per semester, document their attendance,
and write and submit a summary for each. Graduate faculty signatures on the seminar
form and on a 250-word summary of each seminar are required for credit. Prerequisite:
Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director:
Danita Eatman, Ph.D.
GEBS 509 and 510 Biomedical Science Presentation I and II (1 credit hour each; PhD,
MSBR, and MSBT core)
The objective of these courses is to provide students with experience organizing and
delivering a research seminar. Ph.D. students are required to complete two qualified
presentations, and M.S. students one presentation during their tenure as graduate
students. Qualified presentations include: One student research day platform presentation,
any one-hour seminar advertised to the MSM community and open to the public., and
a platform or poster presentation at a national scientific conference accompanied
by a first-author published abstract. This requirement is explicitly in addition to
the student’s dissertation proposal and defense presentations. Prerequisite: Enrollment
in PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Doug Paulsen,
Ph.D.
GEBS 511 – Clinical Research Seminar (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course features local, regional, and national cutting edge research topics relevant
to health disparities, and allows trainees to hear from leading experts on clinical
and translational research. The research seminars are presented by MSM faculty, Georgia
CTSA faculty, and visiting scientists and provide a forum to explore collaborative
research and mentoring opportunities. MSCR trainees are featured in a special session
where they present their work for critical review and comments. This format exposes
the trainees to contemporary critical thinking on health disparities to generate new
ideas and to foster research collaboration within ߣÍÃÊÓƵ as
well as with collaborating Georgia CTSA institutions. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR
program or permission of course and program director. Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Directors:
Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S. and Rigobert Lapu Bula, M.D., Ph.D.
GEBS 512 - Ethics of Clinical and Translational Research in Vulnerable Populations
(2 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course challenges trainees to incorporate social science and behavior theory
concepts in understanding health disparities. This multidisciplinary course will provide
social, cultural, and historical perspectives on the development of ethical standards
for clinical research among special, at-risk populations. Student appreciation of
culture as a predominant force in shaping behavior and values will be enhanced. The
course will help develop behaviors and skills for effectively recruiting and engaging
patients from diverse cultural backgrounds into health care research. Prerequisites:
Enrollment in MSCR program or permission of course and program director. Fall. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Julian Menter, Ph.D.
GEBS 513 and 514 - Laboratory Rotation I and II (1 credit hour each; PhD, MSBR, and
MSBT core)
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
or technical apprenticeship and their research or technical advisor. A second objective
is for the student to practice proper methods for logging research methods and results
in a laboratory notebook. Each PhD student must complete two 6-week rotations and
each MS student must complete two 4-week rotations. Prerequisite: Enrollment in PhD,
MSBR, or MSBT program. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Doug Paulsen,
Ph.D.
GEBS 515 - Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory Techniques (2 credit hours; MSNS
core)
This is a two-week intensive laboratory course for MSNS students and a part of the
BS/MS in Neuroscience program. The course is designed to expose students to laboratory
techniques commonly used in today's biological laboratories. It will combine both
lecture and practical laboratory experiences and include compulsory biohazard safety
and animal handling and care components. Techniques will include laboratory calculations,
DNA, RNA, and PCR analyses, electrophoresis, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry,
tissue culture, microscopy, and neurophysiology. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the BS/MS
in Neuroscience or MSNS program or permission of course and program director. Spring.
Pass/Fail. Course Director: Shobu Namura, M.D., Ph.D.
GEBS 516 – Mentored Research Project (Total of 12 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course provides an opportunity for students to synthesize and integrate the knowledge
base and competencies acquired in course work, learn how to write a research proposal,
develop a research design, analyze data for presentation at a national scientific
meeting and generate a scientific manuscript. Four major outcomes of the mentored
project that must be satisfied prior to receiving the MSCR degree include: 1) submission
and presentation of an abstract at a regional or national scientific meeting, 2) submission
of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal, 3) submission of a grant to a funding
agency, and 4) final presentation of the student's mentored research. Mentor evaluation
forms must be signed by the student's lead mentor indicating that all of the above
requirements have been satisfied. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR program or permission
of course and program director. Fall and Spring. Year 1, Pass/Fail; Year 2, Letter
Grade. Course Director: Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S.
GEBS 517 - Graduate Biochemistry (3 credit hours; PhD, MSBR, and MSBT Core)
The overall goal of this course is to provide information in different formats that
will aid in the student's understanding of biochemical principles and enhance problem-solving
abilities. Students are expected to be competent, reliable, self-directed and to do
extensive critical reading and analysis of information available through internet
resources and in original publications. Understanding biochemical principles, key
concepts and current research is a necessity since biochemistry provides a foundation
for many other components in the graduate curriculum. Prerequisite: PhD, MSBR, or
MSBT program or permission of course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course
Director: Jacquelyn Hibbert, Ph.D.
GEBS 517L - Biochemistry Laboratory (3 credit hours; PhD, MSBR, and MSBT Core)
This is an integrated lecture and lab course covering basic theories and techniques
used in the experimental life sciences. The students will have an opportunity to experience
a broad range of biochemical and molecular techniques that are currently used in the
fast-paced modern biomedical research laboratory. The goal is to introduce students
to basic research techniques through laboratory exercises designed to provide experiences
with the equipment and techniques that are the foundation for modern biomedical research:
Prerequisite: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program or permission of course and
program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Jacquelyn Hibbert, Ph.D.
GEBS 518 - Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credit hours; MSMS Core)
This is a team-taught course that provides an overview of cellular structure and function,
levels of tissue organization, early embryology, as well as the morphology and function
of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and immune systems. The course integrates laboratory
exposure with didactic anatomy and physiology presentations to further emphasize the
principles of organization as related to major clinical and functional themes. This
segment of the two-semester course deals with cell and tissue structure and function
and begins coverage of the organ systems. The course composition will include a virtual
histology lab, selected gross anatomy prosections and radiological anatomy. Prerequisites:
Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Fall.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Rita Finley, Ph.D.
GEBS 519 - Principles of Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credit hours; MSMS Core)
This is a team-taught course that provides an understanding of the morphology and
function of the skin and the nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine,
and reproductive systems of the human body, as well as an overview of fetal development.
This course integrates laboratory exposure with didactic anatomy and physiology presentations
to further emphasize the principles of organization related to major clinical and
functional themes. This segment of the two-semester course focuses on completing the
coverage of organ system structure and function. The course composition will include
a virtual histology lab, selected gross anatomy prosections, and radiological anatomy.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program
director. Spring. Letter Grade, Course Director: Rita Finley, Ph.D.
GEBS 520 – Analysis of Frequency Data (3 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course is intended to provide a more detailed approach to the analysis of categorical
data in clinical and translational research. Topics covered include tests and measures
of association for contingency table analysis; goodness of fit, and the odds ratio.
Estimation and hypothesis testing within the context of general linear models (analysis
of variance, multiple regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis) are
addressed. Prerequisites: GEBS 524 and enrollment in MSCR program or permission of
the course and program director, Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Fengxia Yan,
M.D., M.S.
GEBS 521 - Laboratory Rotation in Neuroscience (4 credit hours; MSNS core)
This course is an eight week laboratory rotation for MSNS students and part of the
BS/MS in Neuroscience program. The rotation will introduce the student to mentored
research within the Neuroscience Institute. Students will select a mentor based on
interest, availability of space, and approval of the course director. Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of GEBS 515 Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory Techniques,
enrollment in the MSNS program or permission of the course and program director. Pass/Fail.
Course Director: Morris Benveniste, Ph.D.
GEBS 522 - Clinical Trials (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
Principles for the design and conduct of clinical trials are discussed. Emphasis will
be given to protocol preparation, randomization, sample size, trial monitoring, ethical
issues and data analysis. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR program or permission
of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Priscilla
Pemu, M.D., M.S.C.R.
GEBS 523 - Scientific Writing and Proposal Development (3 credit hours; MSCR core)
The objectives of this course are to develop: 1) the ability to evaluate a variety
of funding sources, write concept papers and letters of intent in biomedical sciences,
2) an approach to writing a competitive research proposal, and 3) an understanding
of the NIH review process. The course provides an overview of these processes in a
series of didactic discussions and take-home assignments. Students are required to
design a study for specific disease and prepare a scientific protocol and a grant
application using Public Health Service Form 398 including the development of a consent
form and budget. Emphasis will be placed on grantsmanship and scientific writing,
the Institutional Review Board and NIH review process. Prerequisites: Enrollment in
MSCR program or permission of course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course
Director: Lilly Immergluck, M.D.
GEBS 524 - Fundamentals of Biostatistics (3 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course introduces various statistical methods used in clinical and translational
research and public health management. Students are trained in probability theory,
data management and interpretation of results. The standard statistical package SPSS
is used with hands-on demonstrations. Topics include: Probability distributions and
conditional probability; descriptive statistics; hypothesis testing, statistical inference;
parametric and nonparametric statistical methodology. Prerequisites: Enrollment in
MSCR or MSMS program or permission of course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course
Director: Fengxia Yan, M.D., M.S.
GEBS 525 - Laboratory Rotation III (1 credit hour; Elective)
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 Office.
Prerequisites: Completion of GEBS 513 and 514, permission of the student's research
advisor, permission of the supervisor of the laboratory in which the rotation is to
be carried out, Enrollment in the MSM PhD or MSBR program. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail.
Course Director: Doug Paulsen, PhD.
GEBS 528 - Biomedical Genetics (3 credit hours; PhD and MSMS Core, MSBR, and MSBT
Elective)
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, and the value of including all genders, ages, and ethnicities
in their studies. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS 517 and 517L or permission
of the course and program director. Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, MSBT, or MSMS program
or permission of the course and program director. Spring, Letter Grade. Course Director:
Gale Newman, PhD.
GEBS 528L - Biomedical Genetics Laboratory (3 credit hours; PhD Core, MSBR, and MSBT
Elective)
The objective of these laboratory exercises is to provide hands-on experience in the
detection of mutations and disease genes. The goal of the course is to instruct trainees
on when and where to use appropriate techniques for the detection of genetic mutations
and to introduce related aspects of bioinformatics. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better
in GEBS 517 and 517L or the permission of the course director, GEBS 528, enrollment PhD,
MSBR or MSBT program or permission of the course and program director. Fall, Letter
Grade. Course Director: Robert Meller, D. Phil.
GEBS 531 – Clinical Core Laboratories (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course is designed to provide trainees with hands-on exposure to existing core
units at the Clinical Research Center and how they support clinical and translational
research. These cores are - Noninvasive Cardiovascular and Hemodynamics, Analytical
and Protein Profiling, Bionutrition, Nursing, Recruitment/Retention, Biostatistical
and Data Management, Clinical Trials, Research Subject Advocate and Data Safety Monitoring
Cores. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR program or permission of course and program
director. Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S.
GEBS 532 – Community Engagement and Health Disparities in Clinical and Translational
Research (2 credit hours; MSCR core)
This course introduces key issues in health disparities and community engaged research.
The focus is on ways to assess and address health disparities, with an emphasis on
inner-city and African-American populations. Approaches to community engagement and
community-centered research are addressed. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MSCR program
or permission of course and program director. Fall. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Rakale
Quarells, Ph.D.
GEBS 533 - Critical Thinking and Scientific Communication I (2 Credit hours; PhD,
MSBR, MSBT core)
The main objective of this course is to develop scientific writing and critical thinking
skills necessary for scientific research. Students will learn skills to improve their
ability to write clearly and logically and to critically analyze and communicate their
opinions by both oral and written presentations. Students will be evaluated by a series
of written exercises. A critical thinking pre- and post- test will be given to assess
progress. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, MSBT, or MSNS program or permission
of course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Gale Newman,
Ph.D.
GEBS 534 - Scientific Integrity (2 credit hours, PhD, MSBR, MSBT core) This course is designed to cover contemporary ethical issues at the interface of science and ethics and the professional expectations of scientists in the responsible conduct of scientific research. Topics include Methods & Mandates, Scientific Records, Authorship and Peer Review, Intellectual Property, Conflicting Interests, Human and Animal Experimentation, and Genetic Technology. Didactic tasks involve student exercises, discussion leadership, analyses of cases, case presentation, and report writing. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, MSBT, or MSNS program or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Jonathan Stiles, Ph.D.
GEBS 535 - Human Biology (3 credit hours, PhD, MSBR, MSBT core)
Human Biology is a team-taught course that provides a broad overview of major cellular
components, basic tissue types, organs, and organ systems. It is designed to introduce
the student to the structural and functional organization of the major organ systems
by working from the single cell level to the organ system level, emphasizing the relationship
of structure and function. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program
or permission of the course and program director. Fall Letter Grade. Course Director:
Rajagopala Sridaran, Ph.D.
GEBS 535L - Human Biology Laboratory (2 credit hours, PhD, MSBR, MSBT core)
This course complements the content of the Human Biology lecture course by covering
microscopic structure and approaches to studying the function of cells, tissues, organs
and organ systems. It includes study of the relationship between structure and function
of major cellular organelles, cells associated with the four basic tissue types, organs
and organ systems through histological and microscopic methods as well as functional
studies. Prerequisites: Enrollment in an PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Brenda Klement,
Ph.D.
GEBS 537 - Integrated Biomedical Science (4 credit hours, PhD core; MSBR, MSBT elective)
This course is intended to provide students a strong understanding of current and
future research objectives in four fields of biomedical science. Each field, Cancer
Biology, HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease, Neuroscience, and Cardiovascular Research,
will be taught in successive 4 1/2 - week modules by research faculty from those fields.
Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS 517, 517L, 535, and 535L or permission
of course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Coordinator: Doug Paulsen,
Ph.D.; Cancer Component Directors: Shailesh Singh, Ph.D. and Ward Kirlin, Ph.D.; Cardiovascular
Component Director: Leonard Anderson, Ph.D.; Neuroscience Component Director: Morris
Benveniste, Ph.D.; HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Component Director: Vincent Bond,
Ph.D.
GEBS 537-01 - Integrated Biomedical Science: Cancer Component (1 credit hour; Elective)
This component of the Integrated Biomedical Science course will provide students with
a critical look at specific areas of cancer biology, providing an assessment of what
constitutes the science of cancer and where the field may be going in the future.
Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS 517, 517L, 535, and 535L or permission
of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Directors: Shailesh
Singh, Ph.D. and Ward Kirlin, Ph.D.
GEBS 537-02 - Integrated Biomedical Science: Neuroscience Component (1 credit hour;
Elective)
This component of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences course will provide student with
critical concepts in the field of Neuroscience. Lectures will include discussion of
seminal experiments leading to key discoveries that serve as part of the foundation
of the field. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS 517, 517L, 535, and 535L
or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director:
Morris Benveniste, Ph.D.
GEBS 537-03 - Integrated Biomedical Science: Cardiovascular Component (1 credit hour;
Elective)
The cardiovascular component of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences course will provide
graduate students with a fundamental knowledge base in the principles of cardiovascular
biology at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. In addition to providing introductory
didactic instruction in the field of cardiovascular biology, this component will also
integrate leading-edge vascular biology lectures with new developments that emerge
at the interface with other interdisciplinary fields (e.g., stem-cell biology, epigenetics,
systems biology, and genomic science). Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS
517, 517L, 535, and 535L or permission of the course and program director. Spring.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Leonard Anderson, Ph.D.
GEBS 537-04 - Integrated Biomedical Science: HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Component
(1 credit hour, Elective)
This component of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences course will provide students
with critical concepts in HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Multidrug-resistant Bacteria. Lectures
will include discussion of seminal experiments leading to key discoveries that serve
as part of the foundation of the field. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS
517, 517L, 535, and 535L or permission of the course and program director. Spring.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Vincent Bond, Ph.D.
GEBS 539 - Introduction to Health Professions (2 credit hours, MSMS core)
In this seminar and clinical experience course, students will develop an understanding
from practitioners in various medical specialties and other health professions, the
academics and personal responsibilities required to become a well-functioning health
professional. Professions explored will include, but are not limited to, medicine,
public health, clinical and translational research, community-based participatory
research, and other related areas. Students will also participate in a variety of
diverse clinical experiences. Personal statements, interviewing strategies, and similar
topics will be addressed in workshops and skills sessions. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Rita Finley, Ph.D.
GEBS 540 - Critical Thinking in Neuroscience (2 credit hours, MSNS core)
This course is required for MSNS students and as a part of the B.S./M.S. in Neuroscience
program and is offered as an elective for other graduate students. It exposes students
to the vast literature of Neuroscience, including a focus on experimental design and
critical analysis. The course takes place in a discussion format. Grading is based
on students' preparation for each discussion as well as on submitted critiques of
journal articles. Prerequisites: GEBS 533 or permission of the course and program
director. Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Morris Benveniste, Ph.D.
GEBS 541 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving I (4 credit hours, MSMS core)
Students will be introduced to several problem-solving techniques that will be useful
in their preparation for the MCAT exam. Students will work within small discussion
groups where they will have the opportunity to analyze, discuss and exchange ideas.
From these discussions, students will improve their abilities to comprehend, evaluate,
and apply knowledge in order to score successfully on the MCAT. The primary goal of
this course is to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will be
beneficial for successful performance on the MCAT. Therefore, the course objectives
are to critically analyze information, clearly express thoughts in a written and verbal
manner, evaluate information provided in a standardized test format and to participate
in group discussions strengthening problem-solving skills. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Brandi Knight, Ph.D.
GEBS 542 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving II (3 credit hours, MSMS core)
Through readings, online lectures, and group discussions, basic concepts of biology,
chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and verbal reasoning and test-taking strategies
will be addressed. Group problem-solving and critical thinking skills will be addressed
in workshops and ongoing in-class problem-solving sessions. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Brandi Knight, Ph.D.
GEBS 544 - Survey of Medical Terminology (2 credit hours; MSMS core)
Medical Terminology is offered to introduce aspiring healthcare professionals to the
new language of medicine - a language that they will use throughout their careers.
The course is offered in an online, self-directed format to allow students to cover
required material efficiently, while also completing other required courses in the
program. Students will be introduced to vocabulary for human body structures, functions,
and diseases. The online course is divided into sections that emphasize etymology,
definition, pronunciation, and correct utilization of medical terms. With the use
of an audio-visual approach to anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostics, and treatment
regimens, students will be well prepared for future courses pursued in any healthcare
field. In addition, the format of instruction offers content information and language
comprehension skills useful in any career. This course is a product of Caduceus International
Publishing. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission of the course
and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Rita Finley, Ph.D.
GEBS 545 - Introduction to Public Health (3 credit hours; MSMS core)
This is a core course for the MSMS program, available as an elective for other GEBS
students. It is designed to introduce the complexities of public health and how it
impacts individuals and communities. Students will begin the mastery of core competencies
through the integration of principles of public health with practical experience working
with communities using Tier 1 level core competencies including skills in analytic
assessments, policy development and program planning, communication, cultural competency,
basic public health sciences, financial planning and management, and leadership and
systems thinking. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission of the
course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director Mary Langley, Ph.D.,
M.P.H.
GEBS 546 - Critical Thinking and Scientific Communication II (2 credit hours; PhD,
MSBR, MSBT core)
This is a continuation of GEBS 533. The main objective of this course is to develop
scientific writing and critical thinking skills necessary for scientific research.
Students will learn to critically analyze and communicate their opinions by both oral
and written presentation. In addition, students will receive training and produce
oral and written reports to enhance their scientific communication skills. Prerequisites:
Enrollment in the PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program or permission of the course and program
director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Leonard Anderson, Ph.D.
GEBS 547 - Research Data Analysis (3 credit hours; PhD, MSBR, MSBT core)
This course guides graduate students through the application of statistical and graphical
methods for biomedical data analysis and presentation based on their projected needs
for graduate research. Readily available statistical and graphical software (GraphPad
Prism and Microsoft Excel) will be used for data analysis. The course involves a blend
of didactic lectures and practical application sessions to apply appropriate techniques
to research data from student projects. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR, MSBT,
or MSNS program or permission of the course directors and program director. Fall.
Letter Grade. Course Directors: Ward Kirlin, Ph.D. and Gale Newman, Ph.D.
GEBS 548 - Community Assessment and Health Promotion (3 credit hours, MSMS core)
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required
to assess and organize communities for health promotion interventions. Further, this
course will provide integrated material on three areas of program development - planning,
implementing, and evaluating. Students work as teams in select communities and engage
in fact-finding activities that lead to a presentation of recommendations for improved
community health to community stakeholders and policy makers. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Mary Langley, Ph.D., M.P.H.
GEBS 549 - Survey of Core Technologies (3 credit hours, MSBT core)
This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of basic
lab procedures in core research laboratories and to provide basic training to prepare
students to work in a core service lab environment. This is a core course for the
MSBT program, but can be taken as an elective in other degree programs. Students will
gain understanding of major technologies used in core research labs, gain experience
in basic core lab procedures, learn how to keep a laboratory notebook, learn the principles
behind each core technology, and gain basic understanding of the regulatory environment
associated with core service laboratories. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD, MSBR,
or MSBT program or permission of the course directors and program director. Spring.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Michael Powell, Ph.D.; Co-Director: William Roth, Ph.D.
GEBS 550 - Practical Skills Workshop Series (1 credit hour, MSCR core)
This series is designed to help trainees begin work on their mentored projects. Topics
covered include, introduction to clinical research, obtaining research support and
grant funding mechanisms, proposal development, study design, analysis of secondary
data, cultural competency, career development, human subject advocacy, and introduction
to medical informatics. Introduction to translational research and health disparities
and research and grants administration will be addressed. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in MSCR program or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Pass/Fail.
Course Director: Alexander Quarshie, MBChB, M.S.
GEBS 551 - Introduction to Medical Pharmacology (3 credit hours, MSMS core)
This course is intended to orient graduate students and those who are improving their
credentials to compete for admission to a medical school within the general scope
of pharmacologic science. The course is designed to introduce students to the concepts
of the interactions of chemical agents with living tissue. It will also provide an
overall perspective onpharmacology, emphasizing basic principles and mechanisms involved
in drug interactions. Specific categories of drugs will be presented and discussed
based on the basic mechanism of action of the drug group. Specific drug classes to
be discussed include those with actions on the autonomic and central nervous systems
and the cardiovascular system. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission
of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Karen Randall,
Ph.D.
GEBS 552 - Introduction to Neurobiology (4 credit hours; MSMS core)
This lecture course is designed to be an introduction to neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.
It provides a survey of the basic functional organization and anatomy of the central
nervous system (CNS). The topics include the external and internal morphology of the
cerebral cortex, diencephalon, brain stem, and spinal cord. The blood supply to the
major components of the CNS will be presented. The student will also be introduced
to the connectivity within the CNS and the corresponding functional significance in
the study of the following: ascending sensory system, descending motor systems, spinal
reflexes, auditory and vestibular systems, and visual system. The higher integrative
function of the CNS will be presented in the study of the hypothalamus, limbic system,
and the cerebral cortex. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: John Patrickson,
Ph.D.
GEBS 552L - Introduction to Neurobiology Lab (2 credit hours; MSMS core)
The laboratory section is designed to reinforce the information presented in the Neurobiology
lecture course (GEBS 552). Students will have hands-on collaborative laboratory exercises
utilizing brain specimens, models, and histological slides of the CNS in conjunction
with the laboratory manual. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: John Patrickson,
Ph.D.
GEBS 553 - Introduction to Medical Microbiology and Immunology (2 credit hours; MSMS
core)
Upon completion of this course, the student will have a basic understanding of the
various microorganisms that can cause disease, their structure, nomenclature, and
scientific names. The student will be introduced to the principles of the standard
methods for detection and identification of infectious agents. Further, the student
will become familiar with standard methods of disinfection and sterilization and the
mechanism of action of common antimicrobial drugs used in the treatment of infectious
diseases. At the end of the course, the student will be introduced to the basic functions
of the immune system as it relates to infectious diseases. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the MSMS program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Michael Powell, Ph.D.
GEBS 554 - Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours; MSMS core)
This core course for the MSMS program is designed to provide a foundation in biochemistry
that will enable the student to succeed in medical curricula. The broad areas to be
cover include structural biochemistry, energy generation, basic intermediary metabolism,
molecular biology, and gene expression. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS program
or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director:
William Roth, Ph.D.
GEBS 561 - Methods in Neuroscience (2 credit hours; MSNS core)
The course is a semester-long laboratory course for students in the Master of Science
in Neuroscience two-year degree program. It is designed to expose students to a variety
of laboratory techniques commonly used in today's biological laboratories . This will
combine lecture and practical laboratory experience and include compulsory components
for biohazard safety and animal handling and care. Techniques will include working
with DNA, RNA, PCR, and running gels, western blotting and immunohistochemistry, tissue
culture, calculations for making solutions, and microscopy. In addition, students
will be exposed to techniques specific to neurobiology such as electrophysiological
recording, simulations of electrical signaling, pharmacologic effects of agonists
and antagonists, and practical exposure to human brain anatomy. Course content is
similar to GEBS 515, a 2-week intensive course for students in the BS/MS program in
Neuroscience. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the BS/MS in Neuroscience or MSNS program
or permission of the course and program director, concurrent enrollment or passing
grade in GEBS 703. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Directors: Shobu Namura, M.D., Ph.D.
and Morris Benveniste, Ph.D.
GEBS 600 - Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credit hours; Elective)
The objective of this course is to provide graduate students with an understanding
of contemporary molecular biology concepts, their application to basic biomedical
research and to disease processes. Faculty members present an overview of areas that
may include DNA replication/repair, transcription and chromatin remodeling, post-translational
modification, protein stability and folding, along with selected signal transduction
pathways. The format includes direct student participation in which each student is
required to present assigned research papers, as well as to submit summary reports
on discussed papers. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in GEBS 517 and 517L Enrollment
in the PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program or permission of the course and program director.
Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Deborah Lyn, Ph.D.
GEBS 601 - Biology of Disease (3 credit hours, MSMS core)
This course will introduce MSMS students to key clinically relevant topics in Cardiovascular
Disease, Cancer, and Infectious Diseases while providing an opportunity for the students
to engage in critical thinking and active learning. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the
MSMS program and satisfactory completion of GEBS 518 and GEBS 519 or permission of
the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Minerva Garcia-Barrio,
Ph.D.
GEBS 610 - Preparing a Research Proposal (2 credit hours; PhD core)
The objective of the course is to guide PhD students through grant proposal development
and assist them in preparing a predoctoral fellowship proposal which will serve as
their dissertation proposal in the MSM Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences Program. A further
objective of this course is for students to work with their research advisors to submit
their proposal when complete to the NIH for consideration for NRSA predoctoral fellowship
funding. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSM PhD in Biomedical Sciences program or
permission of the course and program director. Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director:
Michael Powell, Ph.D.
GEBS 620 - Bridges to Health Equity (3 credit hours; Elective)
The course provides learners with knowledge of the ways through which diverse personal,
socio-cultural, and institutional factors impact health disparities. It will provide
instruction in concepts, methods, key issues, and research tools necessary for conducting
health equity research, with an emphasis on the determinants of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic
status, gender, and environment, and the research frameworks that are applicable to
understanding the social determinants of health and intervening to help address or
eliminate health disparities. Prerequisites: GEBS 524 and GEBS 500, or MPH 500 and
MPH 502, or other graduate level epidemiology and statistics courses, or permission
of the course co-directors and program director. Spring. Course Co-Directors: Robina
Josiah Willock, Ph.D. and Desiree Rivers, Ph.D.
GEBS 625-630 - Technical Apprenticeship, Minimum of four 8-week internships, 4.5 credit
hours each; MSBT core)
These 8-week apprenticeships involve full time work in service laboratories. MSBT
students are required to complete GEBS 625-628. Three of these internships must be
in MSM core research laboratories. The fourth or even a fifth (GEBS 629) or sixth
(GEBS 630) may be offsite at another institution or company. Each apprenticeship must
culminate in a written summary including detailed experimental protocols for the work
performed. Prerequisites: Completion of the MSBT core curriculum, approval of the
student's Technical Advisor, the host laboratory supervisor, and course director.
Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Michael Powell, Ph.D.
GEBS 650 - Culminating Project (3 credit hours, MSMS core)
Students will complete a mentored health-related service-learning project and develop
a health science education product for credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the MSMS
program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade. Course
Director: Rita Finley, Ph.D.
GEBS 675 -Thesis Research (Maximum 10 credit hours per semester, Minimum of 12 credit
hours required for graduation; MSBR core)
MSBR students must accumulate a minimum of 12 credit hours of Thesis Research in order
to graduate. This course allows students to receive course credit as they collect
data for their thesis project as well as while writing their thesis. MSBR students
in their second year of training and beyond register for a minimum of 9 and a maximum
of 10 credit hours total per semester. Thesis research hours reflect the number of
hours remaining after any other course credits for that semester are subtracted from
the maximum. To receive credit for Thesis Research, student must submit forms signed
by their thesis committee indicating that they have made adequate progress on their
thesis research. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MSBR program. Completion of required
lab rotations and selection of a research advisor. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course
Director: Ward Kirlin, Ph.D.
GEBS 700 - Cell and Developmental Biology (3 credit hours; Elective)
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 GEBS 517 and 535, enrollment in the PhD or
MSBR program or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade.
Course Director: Leonard Anderson, Ph.D.
GEBS 702 - Advances in Reproductive Biology (3 credit hours; Elective)
Selected current areas of reproductive biology of interest to the students and faculty
will be reviewed by the faculty and selected research papers will be assigned for
student presentation and class discussion. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD or MSBR
program or permission of the course and program director. Fall or Spring. Letter Grade.
Course Director: Kelwyn Thomas, Ph.D.
GEBS 703 - Essential Neuroscience I: Neurophysiology & Neuropharmacology (4 credit
hours, MSNS Core)
This course consists of two concurrent blocks of coordinated lectures (Neurophysiology
and Neuropharmacology). This course is strongly suggested for students focusing on
Neuroscience Research and may be required by the research advisor. The goal of the
course is to impart to the student a basic, but in-depth, understanding of the major
concepts of signal transduction within the nervous system. Coverage will include how
ionotropic and metabotropic mechanisms mediate changes in the potential of excitable
membranes. Subjects will be taught with a didactic emphasis on experimental design
to test hypotheses of critical concepts in the field of Neuroscience. Lectures will
include discussion of seminal experiments leading to the key discoveries that serve
as a part of the foundation of the field. Prerequisites: GEBS 537 or 537-02, enrollment
in the PhD. MSBR, or MSNS program or permission of the course and program director.
Fall. Letter Grade. Course Directors: Morris Benveniste, Ph.D. and Robert Meller,
D. Phil.
GEBS 704 - Essential Neuroscience II: systems Anatomy, Function, and Neurodevelopment
(3 credit hours, MSNS core)
The course consists of two concurrent blocks of lectures (Systems Structure and Function
and Anatomy and Neurodevelopment). This course is strongly suggested for students
focusing on Neuroscience Research and may be required by the research advisor. This
course will impart to the student a basic, but in-depth, understanding of the anatomical
and functional connections in several parts of the nervous system with a focus on
input, modulation, and output of local circuits. Subjects will be taught with didactic
emphasis on experimental design to test hypotheses of critical experiments in the
field of Neuroscience. Lectures will include discussion of seminal experiments leading
to the key discoveries that serve as a part of the foundation for the field. Prerequisites:
GEBS 537 or 537-02, GEBS 703, enrollment in PhD, MSBR, or MSNS program or permission
of the course and program director. Spring. Letter Grade, Course Director: Morris
Benveniste, Ph.D.
GEBS 705 - Essential Neuroscience III: Neurobiology of Disease (2 credit hours; MSNS
core)
The course covers neurological diseases and the mechanisms by which they are manifested.
There will be a focus on how experiments have elucidated pathogenic mechanisms and/or
the pharmacology of disease reversal or symptom reduction. This course is strongly
advised as a part of the 3-course sequence for Neuroscience Research students. The
emphasis is on experimental design to test hypothesis of critical concepts. Lectures
will include discussion of seminal experiments leading to foundational discoveries
in neuroscience. Prerequisites: GEBS 703, GEBS 704, enrollment in the PhD, MSBR, or
MSNS program or permission of the course and program director. Fall Letter Grade.
Course Director: Robert Meller, D. Phil.; Co-Director: Roger Simon, M.D., Ph.D.
GEBS 706 - Molecular Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Science (3 credit hours; Elective)
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: Enrollment
in the Phd or MSBR program or permission of the course and program director. Spring.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Dong Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
GEBS 708 - Cancer Biology (3 credit hours; Elective)
This course is designed to provide the background for understanding a number of genetic,
cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms involved in different aspects of cancer
biochemistry. This course will also emphasize reading and interpreting the original
literature, integrating information to develop new approaches, and organizing research
literature to develop an understanding of a complex field. Active participation and
targeted reports on topics covered in the reading will be emphasized. In the end,
students should have an improved understanding of cellular, molecular and biochemical
mechanisms involved in the field of cancer biology. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the
PhD or MSBR program or permission of the course and program director. Spring. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Ward Kirlin, Ph.D.
GEBS 709 - Essentials of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms (2 credit hours; Elective)
During this course the student will learn the basic principles of sleep and circadian
regulation with an emphasis on relationships to cardiovascular function and disease.
On weeks that rhythms and sleep are covered separately, the first class will focus
more on rhythms while the second will be geared more towards sleep. Topics will consist
of students analyzing seminal, groundbreaking, and contemporary reports on the subject
for that week. Reports will be assigned by the faculty. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the PhD or MSBR program or permission of the course and program director. Spring.
Letter Grade. Course Director: Christopher Ehlen, Ph.D.
GEBS 710 - Basic Bioinformatics (2 credit hours; Elective)
This course will introduce the basic concepts of bioinformatics. The goal of this
course is to help the students to better 1) understand the basic concepts of bioinformatics,
2) access bioinformatics data, 3) communicate with bioinformaticians and computer
programmers, and 4) apply bioinformatics in their research. Prerequisites, enrollment
in the PhD, MSBR, or MSBT program or permission of the course and program director.
Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Qing Song, Ph.D.
GEBS 749 - Supervised Research (Maximum 9 credit hours per semester)
This course allows PhD students who have not yet achieved candidacy to receive course
credit as they learn methods and collect preliminary data for their dissertation project,
as well as while writing their dissertation proposal. Ph.D. students in their second
year of study and beyond register for 9-10 credit hours total per semester. Supervised
Research hours reflect the number of hour remaining after any other course credits
for that semester are subtracted from the maximum. Credits awarded for this course
do not count toward the minimum requirement for elective credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment
in the Phd or MSBR program, successful completion of the laboratory rotation requirment
and selection of a research advisor, approval of advisor and/or lab director, and
permission of the course director. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail. Course Director: Doug
Paulsen, Ph.D.
GEBS 752-01 - Special Topics in Bioinformatics: Pathways Studio© Software (2 credit
hours; Elective)
This course is designed to train potential Ariadne Genetics Pathways Studio© users
how to effectively navigate and utilize the software. This software analyzes signaling,
metabolic, and disease pathways from gene-expression or proteomic data input. Using
the software provided, the instructor will cover specific aspects of the software
in class and assist students during class to understand these steps. An assignment
will be given for each class to be turned in for the next class session. Students
will submit a final project that covers all the software features. Prerequisites:
Passing grade in GEBS 528 and 528L or permission of the course and program director.
Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D.
GEBS 753-01 - Special Topics in Cardiovascular Research: Population/Evolutionary Genetics
(2 credit hours; Elective)
This course is intended to be a narrow survey of genetic aspects of evolution including
traditional empirical and theoretical population genetics, medical genetics, ecological
genetics and the relationship between microenvironment and macroenvironment. The goal
of this course is to help students to understand the current state, course of development
and likely future directions of population, medical, and ecological/evolutionary genetics.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the PhD or MSBR program or permission of the course and
program director. Fall and Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director: Felix Aikhionbare,
Ph.D.
GEBS 757 - Special Topics in Immunology (2 credit hours; Elective)
This is an introductory course in immunology where the students will first learn about
basic human host responses. The second half of the course focuses on inflammation,
immune function or dysfunction in the areas of interest to the students such as infectious
and cardiovascular disease, neurobiology, and cancer. Prerequisites: Enrollment in
the PhD or MSBR program or permission of the course and program director. Spring and
Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Gale Newman, Ph.D.
GEBS 758 - Special Topics in Microbiology: Bacterial Pathogenesis (2 credit hours;
Elective)
The course will provide students with a current vision of the strategies bacterial
pathogens exploit to a) gain entrance to the human body, b) adhere and colonize specific
anatomical sites, c) spread within the body, d) evade innate and adaptive defense
mechanisms, and e) become resistant to antibiotics. The course will focus on themes
of bacterial pathogenesis at the molecular level and the use of animal models in infectious
disease research. The course format includes weekly lectures followed by discussion
of research articles illustration translation of basic research to diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the PhD or MSBR program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall and Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director:
Anisia Silva-Benitez, Ph.D.
GEBS 762-01 - Special Topics in Physiology: Biophotonics (2 credit hours; Elective)
Biophotonics is the science of generating and harnessing light (photons) to image,
detect, and manipulate biologic materials. In modern biomedical sciences molecular
imaging offers the basis for extraordinary, non-invasive and quantitative analytical
tools useful in the laboratory environment to interrogate biological pathways relevant
to systems biology as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the clinics.
Imaging specific molecules and their interactions in space and time is essential to
understand how genomes create cells, how cells constitute organisms and how errant
cells cause disease. The excitement and challenge for the next generation of biomedical
research is to be able to employ biophotonic strategies to solve complex biomedical
problems. This elective course will facilitate thesis research program development.
Prerequisites: GEBS 535 and 535L, enrollment in PhD or MSBR program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall and Spring. Letter Grade. Course Director:
Xuebiao Yao, Ph.D.
GEBS 764-01 - Special Topics in Science Education: Biomedical Genetics Laboratory
(2 credit hours; Elective)
This special topics course allows students to earn credit functioning as laboratory
teaching assistants (TA's) where they will be involved in assisting students enrolled
in the Biomedical Genetics Laboratory Course. Student laboratory TA's will enhance
their understanding of the use of genetic technologies by having the responsibility
of instructing and assisting graduate students with laboratory exercises that include
DNA isolation, detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion deletions and
gene expression. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the PhD or MSBR program. Grade of B
or better in GEBS 528 and 528L and overall B average in MSM degree program or permission
of the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Gale Newman,
Ph.D.
GEBS 764-02 - Special Topics in Science Education: Human Biology Laboratory (2 credit
hours; Elective)
This special topics course allows students to earn credit functioning as laboratory
teaching assistants (TA's) where they will be involved in assisting students enrolled
in the Human Biology Laboratory course. Student laboratory TA's will enhance their
understanding of the structure and function of human cells, tissues, and organs by
having the responsibility of instructing and assisting graduate students with laboratory
exercises designed to provide experiences with microscopy, physiology, and educational
technology. They will also assist faculty with setting up laboratory examinations
and quizzes. Prerequisites: Enrollment in PhD or MSBR program, grade of B or better
in GEBS 535 and 535L and overall B average in MSM degree program or permission of
the course and program director. Fall. Letter Grade. Course Director: Brenda Klement,
Ph.D.
GEBS 764-03 - Special Topics in Science Education: Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory
(2 credit hours; Elective)
This special topics course allows students to earn credit functioning as laboratory
teaching assistants (TA's) where they will be involved in assisting students enrolled
in the Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory course. Student laboratory TA's will enhance
their understanding of the basic theories and techniques of a broad range of biochemical
and molecular techniques that are currently used in the fast-paced modern biomedical
research laboratory by having the responsibility of instructing and assisting graduate
students with laboratory exercises designed to provide experiences with the equipment
and techniques that are the foundations for modern biomedical research. The TA's will
have an opportunity to gain practical teaching and tutoring experiences. Additionally,
TA's will gain experience in organizing and preparing for laboratory exercises and
assessing protocols prior to the actual student lab. Prerequisites: Enrollment in
Phd or MSBR program, grade of B or better in GEBS 517 and 517L and overall B average
in an MSM degree program or permission of the course and program director. Fall. Letter
Grade. Course Director: Jacquelyn Hibbert, Ph.D.
GEBS 800 - Dissertation Research (Maximum 10 credit hours per semester, Minimum of
25 credit hours required for graduation; PhD core)
Ph.D. students must accumulate a minimum of 25 credit hours of Dissertation Research
in order to graduate. This course allows students to receive course credit as they
collect data for their dissertation project as well as while writing their dissertation.
Ph.D. candidates in the dissertation phase of their studies register for 9-10 credit
hours total per semester. Dissertation research hours reflect the number of hours
remaining after any other course credits for that semester are subtracted from the
maximum. To receive credit for Dissertation Research, students must submit forms signed
by their dissertation committee indicating that they have made adequate progress on
their dissertation research. Prerequisite: Ph.D. Candidacy. Fall and Spring. Pass/Fail.
Course Director: Ward Kirlin, Ph.D.