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Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Beginning in the fall of 2011, students interested in the Molecular Medicine and Translational Science PhD program will utilize a newly designed first year curriculum under the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences entry program. At the core of this curriculum is a two semester course, MCB 701/702, which provides broad exposure to these fundamentals topics:

• Macromolecular synthesis, structure and function
• Regulation of gene expression and genetics
• Cell structure and Cell communication
• Organ systems integration, physiology, and pathology

Additionally, students will take a short course in analytical skills followed by their selection of three Program-Specific electives taught by the 6 participating Graduate Programs (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Medicine and Translational Science, and Molecular Pathology). This course of study is complemented by a seminar/discussion course in Scientific Professionalism and Integrity. 

Also during the first year, students will explore scientific research projects by participating in three laboratory research rotations, choosing laboratories from within the 6 participating PhD programs. These laboratory rotations introduce students to new techniques and guide in the selection of a dissertation research advisor. Once a research mentor has been selected, students begin specialization in the research area of that laboratory.  

Further detail on the first year MCB program can be located by visiting  Wake Forest University Graduate School.  

At the conclusion of the first year of study, those students wishing to continue in the MMTS PhD program will select a laboratory mentor and declare the MMTS pathway. 

During the summer of the first year, MMTS students take a half-day course in Clinical Molecular Medicine. This course is designed to give the PhD students a meaningful clinical hospital experience to inform and inspire their basic laboratory research in their chosen field.  Students will rotate through Internal Medicine and Pediatric Ward Services, Subspecialty Clinics and Clinical Specialty Labs in the Hospital that complement their research topic. Rotations are arranged by the clinical course director in consultation with the students.

Students will complete courses specific to their chosen research program of study during the second year. For MMTS students, this second year will diverge from other current graduate programs with the classes devoted to the intensive study of the pathological and physiological basis of human disease and acquiring skills for successful scientific career development.

  

Molecular Medicine and Translational Sciences Curriculum

  OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS

YEAR ONE for MCB Students (Fall, Spring, Summer):

1. Take the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences curriculum in fall and spring, including Foundations of Translational Science as the second elective.
2. Choose MMTS program and advisor by the end of the spring term.
3. Take Clinical Experience plus Research in the summer term.

YEAR TWO (Fall, Spring, Summer):

1. Take Translational Science Seminar, Statistics, Research, and any electives in the fall term.
2. Take Clinical Experience II in fall and spring term.
3. Take Translational Science Seminar, Scientific Development and the Business of Science, Research, and any electives in the spring term. 
4. Take the MCB-752. Foundations of Translational Science (2), spring term, if this was not taken in year one.
5. Take Research and prepare for Preliminary Exam in summer term.

YEAR THREE AND BEYOND:

1. Take Translational Science Seminar and Research each fall and spring semester; take Research in the summer term.
2. Take preliminary examination by October 31^st of the third year.
3. Sign up for “Thesis Only” the final semester before graduation.