Program Description

The Department of Pathology offers training programs leading to the Ph.D. Pathobiology and also participates in the Keck School M.D./Ph.D. program.

The department’s doctoral program trains students to become independent and creative research scientists in basic science and translational research in the areas of cellular and molecular pathology. The department prepares the individual for a wide range of careers in academic institutions, biotechnology firms, and governmental agencies.

The objectives of the program are to provide the Ph.D. graduate with:

• A sound understanding of human disease at the level of cellular and molecular processes;
  
• Experience performing independent research, analyzing results, and presenting data;
  
• The opportunity to interact with faculty, graduate students, and other scientists and clinicians regularly.
  

Program Requirements

• A minimum of 60 units of graduate study is required to obtain a Ph.D. degree, composed of required (37 units) and elective course work as well as directed and dissertation research units.
  
• Students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for all graduate course work.
  
• Each student is required to pass both the written and oral qualifying examination, designed to test the student’s core knowledge in pathobiology and to determine fitness and competence to undertake independent research.
  
• Students must complete their research, submit a Ph.D. dissertation, and successfully defend the thesis in an oral examination in order to obtain the Ph.D. degree.

For additional information:
USC Catalog and Schedule of Classes »

Ph.D. Required and Elective Courses »

Typical Ph.D. Course of Study »

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