Dissertation research may be carried out in diverse fields directed by any of the 11 pathologists currently on the staff or by other biomedical scientists either in the College or other units of the University such as Animal Science, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, etc. Successful applicants may receive a substantial departmental stipend which is not dependent upon nor limited by extramural funding, or be funded by research grants while in residence. Limited stipends provided by industry also may be available.
Students participate in various departmental and interdepartmental seminars and pass a final exam.
Candidates for a Doctor of Philosophy degree are expected to have completed the MS degree or equivalent and an additional 16 units of course and thesis work, and proficiency in several required areas of scientific communicative skills such as computer literacy, statistics' and grant writing. Each student selects a major advisor within the first semester and a graduate advisory committee during the first year. The student's plan of study must be approved by this committee. The degree is granted after passing a preliminary examination after two years of course work is completed and a final defense of the student's doctoral thesis. Other requirements include presentation of two seminars and a thesis prospectus and participation in the divisional seminar series.