Coursework

First year

During the Fall of the first year, all PhD students enroll in the core course of the School of Medicine's Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (IBS) curriculum (IBS 7015, Cr. 6) and a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research (GS 0900, Cr. 0). Students will also enroll in 1-2 additional courses in order to reach a total of 10 credits. During the Winter of the first year, PhD students can enroll in courses within the OVAS department (ANA courses) or outside of the department. In addition, students will enroll in ANA 7890 (Cr.1) to participate in the seminar series and ANA 7270 (credits vary) to complete their laboratory rotations.

Second year 

PhD students can enroll in courses within the OVAS department (ANA courses) or outside of the department. Students should consult with their research advisor in selecting courses that will best complement their research efforts and overall education. However, students should note that only courses with 7000 or higher will count towards their 90 total credits needed to complete the PhD program. In addition, all PhD students in our program are required to take one of the following:

• Human Gross Anatomy (ANA 7010, Cr. 8)
• Human Microscopic Anatomy (ANA 7030, Cr. 4)
• Biology of the Eye (ANA 7055, Cr. 3)
• Neuroanatomy (ANA 7130, Cr. 4).

Finally, our program offers two formalized subdisciplines: Neurobiology and Vision Science. PhD students interested in the Neurobiology subdiscipline should take one of the following:

• Human Gross Anatomy (ANA 7010, Cr. 8)
• Human Microscopic Anatomy (ANA 7030, Cr. 4)
• Neuroanatomy (ANA 7130, Cr. 4).

PhD students interested in the Vision Science subdiscipline should take Biology of the Eye (ANA 7055, Cr. 3). If warranted, students in this subdiscipline can also take Mechanisms of Ocular Disease I (ANA 7065, Cr. 2) and Mechanisms of Ocular Disease II (ANA 7075, Cr. 2).