Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Graduate Program Track : Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Curriculum

All Biomedical Sciences students enroll in a core curriculum during year 1 that is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for cutting edge research.  The core curriculum is a mixture of didactic, small group discussion, laboratory courses, and laboratory rotations.  The topics begin with simple biological molecules and progress to a comprehensive discussion of systems pathophysiology.  Several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases-related courses are available to advanced students following completion of the core curriculum.

NOTE: Courses are listed as 600/800 level courses.  When registering use the 600 level number, UNLESS you have completed an MS or have completed 34 credit hours of study toward your MS or PhD degree.

Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 1

Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 2 and beyond

In addition to the BMS core requirements, PhD students in the CVMD track will be required to take the following courses to graduate:

• Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (CVMD 650/850, 3 cr)
• Seminars in CVMD (CVMD 630/830, 1 cr, required for students in their 2nd and 3rd years)
• Journal Paper Review in CVMD (CVMD 660/860, 1 cr, required by students in their 2nd and 3rd years)
• Grant Writing Workshop (BMSP 625/825)
• Advanced electives in CVMD or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours.

The Ph.D. Candidacy (Qualifying) Exam is taken at the end of the second year.

Prior to passing this exam, the student carries out their research under the course Research in CVMD (CVMD 673/873, 1-15 cr) or in some cases Independent Study in CVMD (CVMD 689/889).   After passing the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam, the student carries out their research under the course Dissertation Research (CVMD 999).  A minimum of 30 credits of Dissertation Research are required for graduation. 

Senior students will also be required to present a seminar describing their work as part of the CVMD track seminar series.  All students will also be expected to present a poster in the UTHSC Research Forum and/or present a poster or oral presentation at the Pharmacology Research Colloquium held on a rotating basis at UT HSC, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.  This is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973.  These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

MASTERS PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 1:

MASTERS PROGRAM STUDENTS: YEAR 2 and beyond

In addition to the BMS core requirements, MSBS students in the CVMD track will be required to take the following courses:

• Systems Pathophysiology I (BMSP 631/831, 3 cr,  if not taken in year 1)
  or Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Biology and Signaling (BMSP 635/835, 3 cr, if not taken in year 1)
• Seminars in CVMD (CVMD 630/830, 1 cr, required for students in their 2nd year)
• Journal Paper Review in CVMD (CVMD 660/860, 1 cr, required by students in their 2nd year)
• Advanced electives in CVMD or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours.

The MS Candidacy (Qualifying) Exam is taken at the end of the first year.

 A minimum of 10 credits of Thesis Research (CVMD 699/899) are required for graduation. 

MD/Ph.D. PROGRAM STUDENTS

In addition to the core requirements, MD/PhD students in the CVMD track will be required to take the following courses:

• Seminars in CVMD (CVMD 630/830, 1 cr, required for students in their 2nd and 3rd years)
• Journal Paper Review in CVMD (CVMD 660/860, 1 cr, required by students in their 2nd and 3rd years)
• Grant Writing Workshop (BMSP 625/825)
• Methods in Biomedical Sciences (BMSP 638/838, 3 cr)
• Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (CVMD 650/850, 3 cr)
• Advanced electives in CVMD or other areas to make up the required number of didactic credit hours.

Senior students will also be required to present a seminar describing their work as part of the CVMD track seminar series.  All students will also be expected to present a poster in the UTHSC research forum and/or present a poster or oral presentation at the “Pharmacology Research Colloquium” held on a rotating basis at UT HSC, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.  This is an annual event in which the students of “pharmacology” departments at the respective Medical Schools have participated in since 1973.  These events provide students with excellent opportunities for developing skills in organizing, presenting and discussing their work.

 Advanced Courses in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Track:

• Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases  (CVMD 650/850, 3 cr, Fall)
  A comprehensive examination of the foundation of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

• Seminars in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (CVMD 630/830, 1 cr, Spring and Fall)
  Seminars presented by invited speakers expose CVMD graduate students to the latest advancements in basic research related to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.  Informal discussions sessions are organized which enable students to meet with speakers invited from other institutions.

• Independent Study in CVMD (CVMD 689/889, 1-12 cr, all semesters)
  This is a variable credit course in which a student caries out independent study in CVMD directed by their major advisor.

• Basic Principles of Pharmacology (CVMD 640/840, 1 cr, Fall)
  This is a one credit course in which students learn the fundamental principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, which are the basis for understanding the actions of drugs and the use of drugs in research and medicine.

• Grant Writing Workshop (BMSP 625/825, Spring)
  This is an interdisciplinary course designed to teach students skills in developing a research plan in the form of a grant proposal.

• Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics (BIPG 510, 3 cr, Fall)
  This is a 3 credit which is part of the Bioinformatics Program that is recommended as an elective.  This course introduces the student to the powerful tools developed to access and analyze biological sequence and structural information. The topics include sequence databases, sequence comparisons, database searches, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure, proteomics, RNA structure prediction, gene prediction and identification, genetic analysis of disease, and microarray studies of gene expressionEmphasis is on theory and practical methods for evaluation and management of biomedical data.  (Course Director: Robert Trumbly)
  

 Application:

Students interested in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases should apply online (http://hsc.utoledo.edu/grad/application.html).  Students will enter the Ph.D. or Master program undeclared with respect to the four Biomedical Sciences tracks, then will identify a major advisor and align with the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases track within their first year of study.

For more information about the specific Financial Support programs and their requirements, please take a look at the "Financial Support" section of the Bulletin and Handbook of the Health Science Campus Graduate Student (http://hsc.utoledo.edu/grad/handbook.html).