Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Vascular Biology

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Program Overview

The vascular biology program is based in an interdisciplinary research center, the Vascular Biology Center, that includes core and associate faculty members from many clinical and basic science departments on campus. Research projects encompass studies ranging from the molecular and genetic level, to the regulation of cellular processes, to multi-cellular and organ system regulation, as well as to human studies. Research interests include topics related the permeability function of the retinal microvasculature, responses of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to injury, growth and proliferation of vascular cells, endothelial dysfunction in hypertension and cardiomyopathy, roles of vasoactive mediators in mammalian cell function, and signal transduction in vascular endothelial cells.

augusta.edu/gradstudies/biomed/prospective-students/mcg-phd-vascular-biology

augusta.edu/centers/vbc

Program Contact

Eric J. Belin de Chantemele, D.Sc
706 721 7805
ebelindechanteme@augusta.edu

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Students are admitted via a common admissions process to the Biomedical Sciences PhD program, not to a specific biomedical major. After completing the first-year common core course work and laboratory rotations, students choose a dissertation research mentor and enter one of nine Doctor of Philosophy majors.
In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete additional PhD degree requirements, including satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination, development of an approved research proposal, writing and obtaining approval of the doctoral dissertation, and satisfactory performance on the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense). See PhD Student Guide for additional requirements and details.
The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is not lock-step; students do not graduate as a class at the end of a specific semester. The average time to degree is approximately five years of full-time, year-round study; acceptable duration of the program is between three and seven years. The number and type of advanced (2nd year and beyond) or elective courses vary,and may include courses within the vascular biology program as well as courses in other disciplines.

Program Information

Program Length: Maximum of 7 Years
CIP Code: 26.0499
Program Code: DPHIL_VBIO

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Biomedical Science Common Courses: 33 Hours

Required Courses: 29 Hours

Selectives: 4 Hours

Select four credit hours from the following:

BIOM 8030 - Experimental Therapeutics (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8080 - Neuroscience I (4 Credit Hours) (Required for Neuroscience major)
BIOM 8090 - Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (2 Credit Hours) (Required for Genomic Medicine major)
BIOM 8215 - Fundamentals of Oncology I (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8230 - Biology of Proteins in Disease (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8240 - Introduction to Immunology and Infectious Disease (2 Credit Hours)

Vascular Biology Major Courses:

VBIO 8010 - Methods in Cardiovascular Research (3 Credit Hours)
VBIO 8020 - New Frontiers in Vascular Biology (2 Credit Hours)
VBIO 9010 - Seminar in Vascular Biology (1 Credit Hour) (Upon entering the Vascular Biology major, this course must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy and dissertation requirements are complete.)
VBIO 9020 - Vascular Biology Journal Club (1 Credit Hour) (Upon entering the Vascular Biology major, this course must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy and dissertation requirements are complete.)
VBIO 9210 - Investigation of a Problem in Vascular Biology (1 to 12 Credit Hours) (Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester. Upon entering the Vascular Biology major, this course must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy requirements are complete.)
VBIO 9300 - Research in Vascular Biology (1 to 12 Credit Hours) (Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester. Research must be taken every semester after admission to candidacy until dissertation requirements are met.)

Electives: 3 Hours Minimum

VBIO 8130 - Modern Drug Discovery and Development (3 Credit Hours)
VBIO 8140 - Cell Signaling in Vascular Biology (2 Credit Hours)
Advanced course in another discipline or biomedical science major (selections require approval from mentor and program director)

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