The goals of our program are:

1. To teach the fundamental concepts and theories that will allow students to understand problems in anatomy and cell biology
2. To train students in experimental techniques which will help them solve some of these problems at the basic or applied levels
3. To develop critical thinking, analytical and writing skills.

| Admission | Contact Us | Curriculum | Research |

Admission
East Carolina University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap. Before seeking admission to the doctoral program in Anatomy and Cell Biology, the applicant should have or be in the process of obtaining a baccalaureate degree and have proficiency in verbal and written communications and a knowledge of mathematics, biology and chemistry.

Applications must be supported by an official transcript from each institution attended since high school, at least two letters of recommendation from former professors who are familiar with your academic record and career interests and an official copy of scores achieved on the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination. The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology requires a written statement from the applicant describing their professional and career goals. We prefer that each student visit the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology for an interview before acceptance.

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Contact Us
Information and application packets regarding admission to the graduate program in Anatomy and Cell Biology may be obtained by contacting:

Graduate Program Committee
Graduate Director for the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Brody School of Medicine East Carolina University
7N-100 Brody Medical Sciences Building
Greenville, North Carolina 27834

Inquiries about the program may also be directed to:

Dr. Ronald Dudek, Director of Graduate Studies
Telephone: 252-744-2863
E-mail: dudekr@ecu.edu

or

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Telephone: 252-744-2851
E-mail: hooperc@ecu.edu

Application forms to the graduate program and requests for information may also be accessed directly from the Graduate School office.

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Curriculum/Courses
The major components in our graduate education program are formal courses, extensive experience in the research laboratory, in-depth self-study, and small group tutorials. The Director of the Graduate Program Committee will assist new students in selecting courses and research internship experiences.

The program of study includes Microscopic Anatomy, Molecular Cell Biology, Statistics, and either Gross Anatomy or Neuroscience. Additional courses at the graduate level will be selected based upon the student's interest and need. These electives may include, but are not restricted to, Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Neuroscience, and Biotechnology. A description of each graduate course is in the Graduate Catalogue, along with additional information on program requirements, doctoral candidacy exams, grade requirements, etc.

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Research
Students participate in journal clubs by presenting summaries of current journal articles and detailed reports on their own research results. Students may elect to serve as teaching assistants in the following courses: Gross Anatomy & Embryology, Microscopic Anatomy, and Neuroscience.

Students have the opportunity to gain laboratory experience with different investigators. Students use these opportunities to aid in selecting the faculty member who will direct their dissertation research and to develop a working knowledge of techniques and current theoretical concepts of the discipline. The student also will develop an understanding of research problems in the discipline and gain skills in critical analysis and design of experiments.

Full-time doctoral students are eligible for annual graduate assistantships of $21,500 plus remission of tuition and fees and $915 for medical insurance. This stipend should cover all tuition expenses and subsistence in Greenville. Students who have achieved candidacy status are eligible for travel awards to present papers at national meetings.

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