UCCOM

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences

1. education and training in the health sciences for graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate physicians;
2. basic science and clinical research; and
3. health-care delivery.

Approximately two-thirds of all the University's extramural grant and contract awards from a variety of agencies are awarded to faculty of the College of Medicine which ranks number one in the State of Ohio in extramural funding. Nationally, the College of Medicine ranks above the 90th percentile in the number of graduate students, and in the top quarter in NIH funding. Typically several departments in the College of Medicine rank in the top ten in NIH grant holdings in their field. Excellent and innovative research is conducted in the modern, well-equipped laboratories of the College and the adjacent Children's Hospital Medical Center, an affiliate institution of the University, as well as in the College's diverse clinical areas, and in the community at large. The Medical Sciences Building, one of the largest research-teaching structures under one roof in the United States, houses extensive state-of-the-art research and education facilities. May 1991 marked the opening of a 125,000 square foot research tower housing the Institute for Developmental Research and Perinatal Research Institute along with other basic science and clinical research laboratories. Environmental Health now occupies a recently completed addition, and occupancy of our newest building, the Cardiovascular Science Research Center occurred in the fall of 1995. Construction of the Molecular Sciences Building, which will provide laboratories for research in Cell Biology, Cancer, and Neuroscience will begin in 1996.

The College of Medicine has strong traditional departmental programs, but each program is enriched by faculty from other departments who have expertise in a variety of disciplines. Therefore, a student has more options when choosing a research area and mentor. In addition, some programs, e.g., Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, are predominantly interdepartmental, and faculty from several departments and a range of disciplines participate in these programs. Two new interdisciplinary doctoral programs, the Medical Sciences Scholars Program (MD/PhD), and the Neuroscience Graduate Program (PhD), are being submitted to the University Graduate Faculty and to the Ohio Board of Regents. Students interested in pursuing the PhD degree in these areas are enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program of the Graduate School until approval of these degree-granting programs is received. These programs are described briefly below and further information about them is available from the Office of the Dean. The Medical Sciences Scholars Program leads to the combined MD/PhD degree and is designed to develop exceptional individuals with knowledge and skills in both biomedical research and medical practice. These physician-scientists will be trained to design and conduct research that generates new information applicable to the understanding, treatment, and prevention of disease. For their dissertation mentor and research, students can choose from a distinguished group of College of Medicine faculty, representing the various academic departments and interdisciplinary graduate programs, who lead strong research teams in developmental biology (including neo- and perinatology), cancer biology, cardiovascular biology, environmental health, infectious diseases, and neuroscience. These faculty are brought together in a multidisciplinary approach to understanding molecular and biochemical events that underlie human development, physiology, and function. Understanding the mechanisms and control of these processes in normal and disease states is emphasized. The faculty use innovative, contemporary molecular biology and biochemistry to solve problems of medical significance.

The Neuroscience Graduate Program faculty consists of over 40 mentors in 15 departments in the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Arts and Sciences. This interdisciplinary program provides students with rigorous preparation in the fundamental biological processes involved in nervous system function. Emphasis during the training period is on research methods, problem solving, and critical evaluation of newly reported scientific results. In addition to basic courses in molecular and cellular biology, the teaching program emphasizes neuroscience and includes the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, development, and organization of the nervous system.

Research interests of the faculty of the College of Medicine are very diverse, and a warm, close working relationship usually develops between graduate student and adviser. Historically, research has been especially strong in the fields of toxicology and environmental health, lipid biochemistry and physiology, cardiology and cardio-active drugs, cell biology, developmental biology and the molecular basis for development, molecular genetics, and immunology. Several new and exciting areas of research in genetic modification, cellular neuroscience, viral pathology, geriatrics, ecogenetics, cancer, trauma and pain are being explored on an interdisciplinary basis. The College of Medicine offers the highly motivated student unique opportunities for intellectual growth, and outstanding facilities and opportunities for research.

Cell Biology	...................................................PhD
Blood Transfusion Medicine	...................................MS
Developmental Biology	...........................................PhD
Environmental Health	...........................................MS, PhD
Genetic Counseling	...........................................MS
Medical Science Scholars (proposed)	...........................MD/PhD
Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology	...........PhD
Molecular and Cellular Pathophysiology	...........................DSc
Molecular and Cellular Physiology	...........................PhD
Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology	...........PhD
Neuroscience (proposed)	...........................................PhD
Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine	...........................PhD
Radiological Sciences	...........................................MS