To expose students to the basic science underlying our understanding of how cells, tissues
and organs function
To provide an integrated education, exposing students to projects that
focus on molecular, cellular systems and whole animal levels
To provide laboratory experiences which will allow students to do independent research and
contribute to our knowledge base
To provide students with an opportunity to learn how to communicate with others about
their research and its underlying science
Graduates of our
program should be able to function as researchers and/or teachers in academic
institutions, government laboratories, or industry.
The Cell
Biology Graduate Program is a multidisciplinary program. It
is designed to provide students the academic and research skills necessary
to develop and answer hypotheses about all aspects of morphology,
physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and development of cells, tissues, and
organisms. It coordinates with the M.D.-Ph.D. program for students
seeking a joint degree. In 1993 the graduate program in classical
anatomy was converted to the Cell Biology Graduate Program.
In 1999, much of the core curriculum was adopted as the general first year
curriculum for graduate students at UTMB, the Basic Biomedical Sciences
Curriculum (BBSC). Students participate in the BBSC for the first
year of their graduate studies before selecting Cell Biology as
their area of concentration. Cell Biology students are active in the
Graduate School Organization, teaching, research, and other professional
activities.
Topics of
research concentration include:
Cell Communication and Signaling
Cancer
Stem Cells and Spinal
Cord Regeneration
Chronic Pain, Cell
Death, and Stroke
Pregnancy,
Reproduction, and Endocrinology
Alzheimer's Disease,
Vertigo and Musculoskeletal Problems in Aging
Space Biology
Laboratory techniques utilized by
Cell Biology faculty are diverse and state-of-the-art. Many are
described in our core facilities pages. They are:
Transmission and
Scanning Electron Microsopy
Computer Reconstructions and Stereology; Image Analysis
Retrograde and
Anterograde Tracing of Neural Pathways
Autoradiography
in situ Hybridization
Immunocytochemistry
Monoclonal Antibody
Production and Characterization
Western Blots/Immunoblotting
Radioimmunoassay
Protein Purification,
Characterization and Expression; HPLC
Radioenzymatic Assays
Radioreceptor Assays
Recombinant DNA
Methods
RNA and DNA analyses ;
Southern,
Northern blots; RNase protection assays, PCR
Cell and Tissue Culture
Electrophysiology
Cell and
Tissue Gene Transfer
Students rotate
through two laboratories before selecting an advisor and research project.
Coursework and laboratory rotations are normally completed during the first 1.5 years.
Spring of second year - Student takes comprehensive qualifying examination as part of the
requirements for admission to candidacy. Questions test basic scientific reasoning skills.
By spring of third year - Each student designs a dissertation proposal which is written as
a grant application and presented in a seminar. The seminar is followed by an oral
examination by an ad hoc examination committee. This committee typically serves as the
Supervisory Committee for the student's research. One off-campus
member is
chosen to serve on the final Supervisory Committee.
By summer of the third year - The program is completed by research that leads to a dissertation.
This is presented to the Supervisory Committee and defended in an oral
examination. Customarily students take 4-6 years to finish the program.
The curriculum emphasizes
the development of research, teaching, and communication skills. It provides the following
A strong background in cell and molecular biology, with an opportunity to
pursue specific
interests in greater depth
Exposure to current research topics and techniques
An
opportunity to learn how to teach and how to present seminars
An
opportunity to learn how to write and defend research proposals
BBSC 6401 Biochemistry *
BBSC 6402 Cell Biology*
BBSC 6105 Program Orientation
MEHU 6101 Ethics of Scientific Research
BBSC 6403 Molecular Biology & Genetics*
BBSC 6042 Laboratory Rotations (must be taken twice)
BBSC 6122 Statistics
BBSC 6195
Frontiers of Science (Seminar)
BBSC
xxxx Systems Modules (at least 5)
CELL 6503
Cell Biology of Tissues
CELL 6195 Seminar**
CELL 6097 Research
CELL
6099 Dissertation
CELL 6304 Academic Skills
CELL 6008 Laboratory Rotation
(if needed)
Two electives ***
*Student may substitute
an equivalent graduate or undergraduate level course.
**Must be taken every term; one presentation every year, until candidacy is
achieved.
***Student must complete two electives (at least 3 hours each) for a total
of 6 hours of electives before admission to candidacy. Additional electives
may be taken as needed to strengthen areas of weakness or to provide background for
research or teaching.
Below is a typical
schedule for students in the Cell Biology Program. Students normally take 9 to 15 credit
hours of course work per term. Each academic year is divided into three 15-week terms: I,
II, and III, starting in September, January and May, respectively. For more information on
a particular course, click the purple cube  next to the course name
Term I
Biochemistry
(BBSC 6401)
Cell Biology
(BBSC 6402)
Program Orientation (BBSC 6105)
Frontiers
of Science (BBSC 6195)
Mini-Ethics
Term II
Molecular Biology and Genetics (BBSC 6403)
Frontiers of Science (BBSC 6195)
Laboratory Rotation (BBSC 6042)
System Modules (BBSC xxxx)
Term III
Seminar - Student presentation
(CELL 6195)
Lab Rotation (BBSC 6042)
Ethics of Scientific Research
(MEHU 6101)
System Modules (BBSC xxxx)
Cell Biology of Tissues (CELL 6503)
Year 2 (should have identified
mentor by now)
Term I
Seminar (Student presentation) (CELL 6195)
Lab Rotation (if needed)*
(CELL 6008)
Research*
(CELL 6097)
Elective(s)
Academic Skills (CELL 6304)
*Student will take either
Lab Rotation or Research this term, not both.
Term II
Seminar
(CELL 6195)
Research
(CELL 6097)
BBSC Modules (if needed)
Elective(s)
Written
Comprehensive Qualifying Exam taken early spring.
Term III
Seminar
(CELL 6195)
Research
(CELL 6097)
BBSC Modules (if needed)
Elective(s)
Seminar - includes one student
presentation per year until candidacy is obtained (CELL 6195)
Research
(CELL 6097)
Dissertation
(CELL 6099)
Electives as needed
Present and defend dissertation proposal during
spring of third year (credited as Seminar, CELL
6195). Also, student must have completed two electives
(total of 6 hours) before admission to candidacy.
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