Pathology

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Mailing Address:
College of Medicine (MC 847)
840 South Wood Street, Room 130 CSN
Chicago, IL 60612

Campus Location: Room 130 CSN
Program Code: 20FS1548MS (MS); 20FS1548PHD (PhD)
Phone: (312) 996-6604
Fax: (312) 996-7589
E-mail: barbie@uic.edu
Web Site: http://pathology.uic.edu/
Head of Department: Frederick G. Behm
Director of Graduate Studies: Maarten C. Bosland
Program Administrator: Barbara Poltzer

The Department of Pathology offers studies leading to degrees at both the master’s and doctoral levels, and participates in the Medical Scientist Training Program (see the Medical Scientist Training Program section for more information). The department is oriented toward the study of disease at the molecular, cellular, organ, whole organism, and population levels. Students are initially immersed in an integrated curriculum and later they complete specialized training in an area of pathology of their choice, including, but not limited to, cancer prevention, biomarkers of cancer, molecular epidemiology, tumor biology, and mechanisms of cancer development and progression. All areas focus on translational and transdisciplinary aspects of pathology and cancer research.

Admission Requirements

Students apply either via the GEMS PhD program (see GEMS program for details) or via the Department of Pathology (see http://pathology.uic.edu/education/GraduateProgramsinPathology.asp) on a competitive basis. Before applying to the Master of Science Program, students should consult the director of graduate studies (boslandm@uic.edu). Students must meet the following program requirements in addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. Applicants must have a satisfactory record of courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, and at least one year of physics and mathematics. In addition, courses in histology, anatomy, zoology and/or physiology are preferred (but not required).
Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Preference is given to those applicants who have a GPA greater than 3.00.
Tests Required GRE General. This test should be taken prior to submission of the formal application. Preference is given to applicants with a combined verbal and quantitative above 1200 and analytical writing above 4.0.
Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
Letters of Recommendation Three letters required.
Personal Statement Required.
Other Requirements Preference is given to applicants with a documented record of research accomplishment.

Degree Requirements

Students (via GEMS and Pathology) engage, during their first year of study, in a core curriculum that focuses on the fundamentals of biochemistry and cell and molecular biology, and integrates these with topics in molecular medicine and cancer biology. Beginning in the second semester, students elect to take courses with the goal of concentrating more selectively within the area of pathology research.

Students initially pick three or four potential mentors in whose laboratories they spend 10-week rotations during the first year. At the end of their first year, students select a mentor with whom they will undertake their thesis research and the Department of Pathology which will grant the degree.

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
Course Work Required Courses: All students must take or show proficiency in GEMS core courses GCLS 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, and GC 401. Students must also take the following: PATH 510 and 511. Students must register in PATH 595 for one semester beyond the first year.
Selective-Elective Courses: At most one additional 500-level course may be taken, subject to approval of the director of graduate studies.
Comprehensive Examination None.
Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis required. No other options are available.

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate.
Course Work Required Courses: All students must take or show proficiency in GEMS core courses GCLS 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, and GC 401. Students must take the following: PATH 510, 511, and 512 and one of GCLS 510, 511, or 515 as a selective course requirement. Students must register in PATH 595 each semester beyond the first year.
Selective-Elective Courses: At least two additional 500-level selective/elective courses are required, subject to approval of the director of graduate studies.
Preliminary Examination Required.
Dissertation Required.
Other Requirements GC 470 is required for students engaged in research with animals.