• Experimental Pathology Program
• Pharmacological Sciences and Molecular Medicine Program
• Yale Pathology Research Activities
• Breast Cancer Research Training

 - Experimental Pathology Program -

The Experimental Pathology Ph.D. Program and the Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine Track of the BBS at Yale University emphasize research on disease mechanisms, built upon a strong foundation of training in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, and genetics. Students in these programs draw upon the wide range of expertise at Yale University in all areas of contemporary biology. The graduate programs cover tuition expenses for all students and provide a stipend.

The Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine Track is a component of the inter-departmental admissions program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, the BBS. This Track, discussed below, serves to admit students with a long-term interest in disease mechanisms. The BBS handles students only until they settle into a lab for dissertation training, generally at the end of the first year. Students admitted through the Track will generally choose to affiliate with members of this track, but have the option of doing dissertation work in any of the numerous biological research labs at Yale. Once a dissertation laboratory is chosen, the students then join the home graduate training program for that faculty member.

The Experimental Pathology Graduate Program is the home program for members of the Pathology department. This program has a broad goal of educating students on the mechanistic basis of disease. Students completing this program will have training in cell and molecular biology, genetics, and integrated aspects of disease. Students enter the program by applying either to the appropriate track of the BBS (e.g. Pharmacological Sciences and Molecular Medicine), or to the Department of Biology, where most members of the Pathology department hold secondary appointments.

Fields of study. Members of the Experimental Pathology faculty have great strengths in areas of signal transduction, cytoskeleton, animal virology (including HIV), mouse genetics, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and immunology. For more information, see Yale Pathology Research Activities and the linked home pages for individual faculty members.

Special Admissions Requirements. A strong background in basic sciences is recommended for applicants to the program, including biology, chemistry through organic and physcial chemistry, mathematics through calculus, biochemistry, genetics, or immunology. GRE General Test or MCAT is required.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree. There is no foreign language requirement. Three to four terms of course work including courses in biochemistry, genetics, immunology, cell biology, and pathology are selected according to the student's background and choice. It is recommended that students take the two Pathology "core" courses, Pathology 650b, "Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer," and Pathology 690b, "Molecular Mechanisms of Disease." The qualifying examination has both written and oral parts. After a reading period of six weeks, the student will answer, in essay form, one of two questions in each of three subject areas, which include a brief research proposal. The oral examination will specifically address the chosen areas of interest in addition to general problems of pathology. Upon completing the course requirement with at least two terms of Honors, passing the qualifying examination, and submitting a thesis prospectus, students will be admitted to candidacy. They must then submit a written thesis describing the research, and present a thesis research seminar.