Anatomy and Cell Biology

Professors: Atkinson, Carlson (Chair), Carr, Dunlevy, Grove, Jackson, Liu, Rieke, Ruit (Graduate Director) and Watt Adjunct Professor: Hunt

Program Description

The graduate program of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology leads to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The program is designed to prepare scholars for academic teaching and research, or for careers in a variety of organizations that carry on research and development in biologically or medically related areas. Research facilities and expertise are available in the department in transmission and scanning electron microscopy, developmental biology, reproductive biology, neurosciences, tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology.

Admission Requirements

1. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00.
2. A year-long sequence of General Biology/Zoology.
3. A year-long sequence of General Chemistry.
4. A course in Organic Chemistry, a course in College Algebra or the equivalent, and a course in Morphology, e.g., Human Anatomy, Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, Histology; courses in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Genetics are also recommended.
5. Scores from the GRE General Test and/or the MCAT must be submitted. The GRE Subject Test is not required, but applicants are encouraged to submit those scores if they have taken the test.
6. Admission to the Anatomy and Cell Biology graduate program can be made either through the M.S. degree program or by application directly to the Ph.D. degree program.

Students who elect to begin the M.S. degree program and later decide they wish to pursue the Ph.D. degree may choose to attempt to by-pass the M.S. degree by taking a Diagnostic/Qualifying examination. Such an examination is administered by a departmental committee and consists in part of the preparation of a written research proposal by the student, with an oral defense of that proposal. By passing it and by meeting other requirements, such as a GPA of 3.5 or higher in graduate level coursework, a student may be admitted to the Ph.D. program without completing the M.S. program. Otherwise, a student admitted to the M.S. program must complete the degree as listed.

Other departmental requirements for admission include an overall GPA of 3.50 in previous graduate work and appropriate letters of reference.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science

1. Minimum of 35 semester hours of graduate credit (can be completed in four full semesters and one summer session).
2. Completion of the following core graduate level courses:
   
   

   	BIMD 500	Cellular and Molecular Foundations of Biomedical Science	6 cr
   	BIMD 510	Basic Biomedical Statistics	2 cr
   	BIMD 513	Seminars in Biomedical Science	1 cr
   	BIMD 515	Steps to Success in Graduate School	1 cr
   	BIMD 516	Responsible Conduct of Research	1cr
   	ANAT 505	Seminar in Anatomy and Cell Biology (one semester for each year in the program, excluding year one.)	1 cr
   	ANAT 515	Histology	3 cr
   	ANAT 518	Developmental Biology and Human Embryology	6 cr
   	ANAT 593	(Research) and ANAT 998 (Thesis)	14 cr
   		Total minimum credits	35 cr

   
   
   
3. A thesis written on an independent research problem.

Doctor of Philosophy

1. A minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate credit (can be completed in eight full semesters and four summer sessions).
2. Completion of the following core graduate level courses:
   
   

   	BIMD 500	Cellular and Molecular Foundations of Biomedical Science	6 cr
   	BIMD 510	Basic Biomedical Statistics	2 cr
   	BIMD 513	Seminars in Biomedical Science	1 cr
   	BIMD 515	Steps to Success in Graduate School	1 cr
   	BIMD 516	Responsible Conduct of Research	1 cr
   	ANAT 515	Histology	3 cr
   	ANAT 518	Developmental Biology and Human Embryology	6 cr
   	Choice of:
   	ANAT 513	Gross Anatomy	7 cr
   	or
   	ANAT 522	Neuroscience	6 cr
   	ANAT 505	Seminar in Anatomy and Cell Biology (one semester for each year in the program, excluding year one.)	1 cr
   	ANAT 593	(Research) and ANAT 999 (Dissertation)	62-63 cr
   		Total minimum credits	90 cr

   
   
   
3. A scholarly tool, the requirement for which is usually fulfilled by completing Computer Science 101/101L or Anatomy 591 (or their equivalents).
4. Teaching experience in one of the following:
   1. Gross Anatomy for Medical Students, for
      Graduate Students or for Physical/Occupational
      Therapy Students.
   2. Histology for Medical Students or for Graduate
      Students.
   3. Neuroscience for Graduate Students.
5. A dissertation written on an independent research
   problem.

The department accepts USMLE, Step 1 as the Diagnostic/
Qualifying Examination for medical students entering the M.D./Ph.D. program. Students must pass USMLE, Step 1 of the examination.

Courses

BIMD 500. Cellular and Molecular Foundations of Biomedical Science. 6 credits. A series of lectures and discussion groups with emphasis on interrelated themes in basic biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. Lectures will include current and emerging areas of research, while discussion will center on methods, techniques and expansion of lecture topics. Fall semester. Prerequisites: (a) a year of organic chemistry or (b) one semester of organic chemistry plus a course in either biochemistry or cell biology, or (c) permission of the course director.

BIMD 510. Basic Biomedical Statistics. 2 credits. A series of lectures, demonstrations and exercises to provide students with the basic rationales for the use of statistics in the assessment of biomedical data and a selected set of the most common and useful statistical tests. Spring Semester.

BIMD 513. Seminars in Biomedical Science. 1 credit. A series of presentations on original research conducted by UND faculty members as well as extramural leaders in academic and industrial research in the biomedical sciences. Students will participate through assigned reading and writing exercises related to the presentations.

BIMD 515. Steps to Success in Graduate School. † 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to the development of skills and experience important for successful completion of graduate training and transition to post graduate training and employment. Students will examine a variety of issues including choosing an advisor and research topic, charting their course through graduate school, the importance of productivity, how to give a scientific presentation and write a scientific publication, applying for predoctoral grants, and planning for their careers.

BIMD 516. Responsible Conduct of Research. † 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to responsible conduct in research. Students will examine a variety of issues including introduction to ethical decision making, the experience of conflict, laboratory practices, data management, reporting of research, conflict of interest, and compliance. Examples and case studies will be drawn primarily from the biomedical sciences.

501. Biomedical Information Retrieval. 1 credit. S/U grading only. Offered every session either in a group setting or on an individual basis. This course integrates electron information retrieval techniques with biomedical research education to develop the student’s ability to augment traditional learning and research. Electronic techniques covered include data base searching and internet resources.

505. Seminar in Anatomy and Cell Biology. 1 credit. This course provides students an opportunity to organize and orally present scientific information to an audience in a forum conducive to the development of their skills in effective communication. Seminars delivered by students, UND faculty, and other invited speakers present current advancements in biomedical research that promote student learning of principles of biomedical sciences.

513. Gross Anatomy. † 7 credits. This course consists of lectures and laboratory experience providing opportunity for understanding the structure and function of the adult human body. Laboratory work consists of the complete dissection of the human body, study of topographic relations of organs and structures, and the study of normal radiographic anatomy.

515. Histology.† 3 credits. A series of laboratory sessions providing a comprehensive study of normal light and electron microscopic structure of cells, tissues, and organs of the body. An introduction to cell and tissue pathology also will be included. Laboratory sessions will include utilization of microscopic tissue slides, video and digital images, student presentations and discussion with faculty.

518. Developmental Biology and Human Embryology.† 6 credits. Prerequisite: Bimd 500 or equivalent. A problem-based course in principles of development and human embryology. Topics to include cellular and molecular mechanisms of fertilization, early development, gastrulation and organogenesis. Course will involve student presentations, discussion and laboratory exercises.

522. Neuroscience. † 6 credits. This course is designed to introduce the student to the study of the structure and function of the nervous system with relevant experimental and clinical application. Lectures, discussion, student presentations and laboratory work address historical as well as current advances in cellular, molecular, developmental, sensorimotor, regulatory and cognitive neurobiology, preparing the student for further, more advanced study of the nervous system.

590. Readings in Anatomy and Cell Biology. 1 to 3 credits. Students may elect to do a “readings” project with any of the members of the departmental faculty, in areas related to the faculty member’s research field.

591. Special Topics in Anatomy and Cell Biology. 1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. A series of lectures, discussions and/or laboratory experiences developed around a specific topic in the anatomical or cell biological sciences.

593. Research in Anatomy and Cell Biology. Credits arranged. Research is offered in the specialty fields of the faculty of the department, and involves a variety of problems and research tools in morphology and cell biology.

595. Advanced Gross Anatomy. Credits arranged, with a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Anatomy 513 or equivalent. The work of the course consists of the preparation of regional dissections, made under the director of an instructor.

† Available to students registering in graduate degree programs in the biomedical sciences or by permission of the instructor.