[Fields of Study]

Cell Biology

Wolfram Siede, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor
Research and Education Building 202
817-735-2047
E-mail: wsiede@hsc.unt.edu

Graduate Faculty: Alizadeh, Aschenbrenner, Cammarata, Clark,  Fisher, Ghorpade, Gorbatyuk, I. Gryczynski,Kirchhoff, Krishnamoorthy, Reeves, Rosales, Sheedlo, Siede, Wordinger

Adjunct Graduate Faculty: Collier,  Jacobson, McCartney, Pang, Romano, Shepard

The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy has a primary mission to provide instruction in cell biology, visual science, and the anatomical sciences; to develop and maintain research programs; and to participate in the service endeavors of the institution and profession. The major focus of research in the discipline is on the eye involving degenerative retinal diseases, glaucoma, diabetic complications, and cataracts. Other research programs include angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell secretory mechanisms, cell cycle, cellular differentiation, cell signaling, DNA damage, endothelial physiology, fluorescence microscopy, glial cell biology, growth factors and neurotrophins, nitric oxide, nuclear function, oxidative stress, regulated intramembrane proteolysis, stem cell research.

In support of the various research programs, the department maintains state-of-the-art facilities in microscopy, tissue culture and molecular biology. Over 8,000 square feet of research space is occupied by department faculty and staff.

The department is home to the North Texas Eye Research Institute which involves faculty from various basic science disciplines, as well as professionals in industry and private clinical practice.

Degree Plans
The following are typical degree plans for students in the Cell Biology and Anatomy discipline. It is advantageous to the student to begin graduate study in the fall semester. This degree plan may vary depending upon availability of course offerings in a given semester and each student's progress toward thesis and dissertation research. 

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination within the discipline of Cell Biology must be successfully completed prior to concluding 72 semester credit hours (SCH). The main goal of the examination is to ensure that each doctoral student has a broad knowledge base in biomedical sciences and has mastered the fundamental principles of cell biology and genetics in order to be a successful doctoral candidate and an independent researcher. The qualifying examination consists of written and oral phases. The examination will be directed towards the didactic course work of the student. Basic knowledge and understanding of general research techniques in cell and molecular biology will be included.

The initial phase of the qualifying examination consists of a set of written questions administered by a qualifying examination committee (QEC) composed of faculty members of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Within four weeks of taking the written examination, the chair of the QEC will schedule the oral examination. The oral examination will consist of questions that further explore the student's answers in the written phase, as well as questions on additional topics in cell biology and anatomy as deemed appropriate by the QEC. The University Committee Member must be in attendance for the oral phase of the examination.

The qualifying examination will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Successful completion of the qualifying exam must be accomplished before the student can register for Grant Writing (BMSC 6310). Two attempts to pass the qualifying examination will be allowed. Failure to pass the qualifying examination after two attempts will result in dismissal from the doctoral program. In this case, a student may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.

Grant Writing (6310)

After passing the qualifying examination, but prior to the completion of 84 SCH, the student must register for Grant Writing (BMSC 6310). This stage of the advancement to doctoral candidacy evaluates a student's aptitude for independent thought and scientific writing. The student is required to (a) prepare an NIH-style research proposal; (b) present the proposal in a public seminar; and (c) orally defend the proposal before his/her doctoral advisory committee. The proposal should be based on an original hypothesis and should describe specific experimental approaches to address the hypothesis. The graduate advisor will appoint a member of the student's advisory committee to coordinate the process. The student will meet with the advisory committee at least twice during the semester to review drafts of the proposal. The final written proposal must be typed in NIH format and presented to the advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the public seminar and oral defense. The grant proposal and the student's oral presentation and defense will be evaluated on the basis of originality and ability to synthesize and communicate the proposal content. The student's University Member must be present for the public seminar and oral defense of the proposal. Upon successful completion of Grant Writing (BMSC 6310), the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. Two attempts to successfully complete Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) will be allowed. Failure to pass Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) will result in dismissal from the doctoral program. In this case, a student may be allowed to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree.