Rance E. Berg, PhD, Graduate Advisor
Research and Education Building, Room 416E
Phone: 817-735-2121
E-mail: Rance.Berg@unthsc.edu
Cell biology is the branch of biology dealing with the study of eukaryotic cells, especially their formation, structure, components, and function. Immunology is the study of the defense mechanisms of the host against infectious diseases, cancers and other diseases. Microbiology is the study of microscopic forms of life, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi. The disciplines of cell biology, immunology, and microbiology are uniquely intertwined and rely on cutting-edge techniques to answer questions related to multiple diseases. Gaining a thorough understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms used by the body to combat infectious diseases and other pathologies can result in the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent and cure these diseases.
Specific research interests of the cell biology, immunology, and microbiology faculty include neuroinflammation; HIV-1 biology; fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging; muscle function; regulation of eukaryotic gene expression; T cell and NK cell biology; host response to infections; molecular immunology; tumor immunology; cytokine biology; vision research; and molecular diagnostics for emerging vector borne pathogens. Faculty programs are funded by multiple sources including the federal government, state government, and private foundations.
Students may enter the program with a variety of academic backgrounds, providing that they have fulfilled prerequisite courses. The graduate training program involves core courses in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, immunology and microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as advanced courses in selected topics. Students participate in seminars and discussion of current research and receive extensive training in techniques of contemporary microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology. Students perform original, publishable research and present their research findings at national scientific meetings. In addition, students are required to present their research at the annual UNTHSC Research Appreciation Day (RAD) and during the weekly departmental Works in Progress (WIPs). Approximately two years are required to complete the Master of Science degree, while the Doctor of Philosophy degree is normally completed in approximately five years.
Graduates with advanced degrees find employment in higher education, industry and government agencies.
Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination ensures that the doctoral student has mastered information needed to succeed as a PhD in the fields of cell biology, immunology, and microbiology. A list of key topics, compiled by the faculty, will be distributed to the student prior to the qualifying examination. The student is expected to become knowledgeable in each of these topics through their previous course work, reading of textbooks and scientific literature, and discussion with faculty members.
A committee comprised of members of the Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology graduate program and the student’s university member administers the qualifying examination.
The qualifying examination will typically be administered in the spring or summer of the second year of study. Two attempts to successfully pass the qualifying examination are allowed. Failure of the student to pass the qualifying examination results in dismissal of the student from the doctoral program. A doctoral student who does not pass may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.
Grant Writing (BMSC 6310)
Successful completion of Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) requires the preparation and oral defense of an original NIH-style grant proposal. BMSC 6310 should be registered for during first long semester after completing the oral qualifying exam.
The graduate advisor will serve as the examination coordinator and select an examination committee consisting of five graduate faculty. One of the faculty will serve as the committee chair. The student’s major professor may not serve as a committee member. The student’s university member will oversee the entire examination process.
The graduate advisor will instruct the student on the regulations of the course. The student should submit a report which presents the hypothesis, experimental strategy and specific aims for the proposal to the examination committee by mid-semester. The proposal must consist of the student’s original ideas and is expected to significantly extend scientific knowledge in the chosen research area if the proposed experiments were conducted. The student may write his/her grant on their current or proposed dissertation research. The committee must approve this summary of the research proposal.
The student must prepare a detailed written report of the research proposal in NIH R21 format after the summary has been approved. The final proposal will be prepared and presented to the committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The grant proposal and presentation will be evaluated on the basis of originality, experimental design, and data interpretation as well as the ability of the student to synthesize and communicate this information, both written and orally.
If the proposal and defense are satisfactory, the committee will recommend that the student be advanced to candidacy. Two attempts to successfully complete Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) will be allowed. Failure to pass Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) will result in dismissal from the doctoral program. In this case, a student may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.