MD/PhD & DDS/PhD Curriculum

SEMESTER 1 (FALL)

Principles of Virology GPLS 704 (3 credits)

Course Director – William Jackson, PhD

This course is intended to serve as an introduction to the field of animal virology, with an emphasis on the molecular biology and pathogenesis of select, medically important viruses. Lecture material will be drawn from both classical and current literature. The discussion of assigned papers and problem-solving materials are designed to teach the student how to use experimental approaches to study different aspects of animal virology. It is a stated goal of the course to provide students with the tools and context to understand current papers published in leading journals of virology. Each student will be expected to actively participate in and lead discussions based on assigned readings and take-home exams.

An additional elective course is optional for this semester

SEMESTER 2 (SPRING)

Principles of Microbial Pathogenesis GPLS 710 (3 credits)

This course is intended to provide a groundwork in basic principles of, and research approaches to, microbial (bacterial, fungal, and parasite) pathogenesis, including adherence, toxins, secretion mechanisms, immune evasion, genetics and evolution, gene discovery, genomics and proteomics, and host-pathogen interactions. This course is based on a combination of lectures and discussion of the current research literature, and requires student presentations, 2 exams, and participation in class discussions of assigned research papers.

Basic Immunology GPLS 702 (4 credits)

Course Director – Cristiana Cairo, PhD

The course is designed to nurture a working knowledge of the components of the Immune system and the principles that enable these units to work together. This means that, on completion, students are expected to be able to understand, think, and discuss processes of the immune system using appropriate “language” (i.e. precise terms, cell types, pathways etc.)

Other courses are possible alternatives, depending on the student's intended area of thesis research.

Disclaimer: This website is not a contract and all information is subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the Program.