Master of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology

Introduction: 
The Master's degree in Medical Sciences with an emphasis in Anatomy is designed to provide students with advanced training in preparation for careers in Biotechnology, Teaching or for entry into a Ph.D. program. Students may pursue this degree on a part time basis while employed in other endeavors. The program will provide a solid core of training in the latest concepts and experimental techniques used in the field. The student will be allowed to individualize their training through elective courses together with laboratory research training. The program is intended for students who want additional training but do not wish to commit to a Ph.D. program. Master's Degree students are not eligible for Morsani College of Medicine tuition waivers or stipends. 

Admission Requirements:

1. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, Biology or a related field.
2. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a combined score of 1100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE are preferred. However, each application will be reviewed on its individual merits.
3. A 1- to 2- page statement of purpose describing the student's interest in pursuing a Master's degree in Anatomy.
4. Three letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with the student's academic abilities.
5. An official transcripts of all undergraduate coursework.
6. International students must score at least 600 on the TOEFL.
7. In addition to the standards listed above, the Admissions Committee will consider the research interests of the student in relation to available mentors and suitable laboratory space, equipment and supplies.
8. Applications for the fall semester must be received by June 1, and applications for the spring by October 1st.

Course Requirements: 
All students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of course work. This includes 21 hours of required courses, 9 hours of elective courses. 

Required Courses:

• GMS 6609 Advanced Gross Anatomy (6 credits)
• GMS 6608 Advanced Microscopic Anatomy (4 credits)
• GMS 6610 Advanced Neuroanatomy (3 credits)
• GMS 6604 Embryology (3 credits)
• GMS 7939 Seminar (1 credit)
• GMS 7418 Directed Research (4 credits)

Elective Courses: 

• GMS 6400 Physiology (2 credits)
• BCH 6935 Scientific Writing and Ethics (2 credits)
• PCH 6050 Biostatistics (3 credits)
• BCH 6135 Methods in Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• GMS 7930 Methods in Immunochemistry (3 credits)
• GMS 7930 Methods in Cell Culture (3 credits)
• GMS Molecular Biology of the Cell (4-8 credits)

Master's Advisory Committee: 
As soon as possible after admission to the program, but no later than the end of the first semester, the student should select a mentor. The Department Chair and/or Graduate Coordinator will provide advice to the student in this matter. The Department Chair will appoint the Mentor and two other faculty members to serve as a Master's Advisory Committee that will advise the student concerning their academic program and the thesis project. 

Thesis: 
Upon entry to the Program, the student must elect one of two pathways to earn a Master's Degree in Anatomy: a coursework pathway or a research pathway. 

Upon completion of all coursework, students who elect to pursue the coursework pathway must submit an original thesis based on a critical scholarly review of one area of the anatomical sciences. 

Students who elect to pursue the research pathway must submit a completed manuscript of original research that has been or will shortly be submitted to a scientific journal for publication. The student must have significantly and substantially contributed to the conduct of the work, and be an author on the manuscript. The student's thesis will consist of the manuscript, and, additional, a scholarly introduction and discussion written by the student that describes the student's understanding of the role of the research in the scientific literature. 

The student must present the Thesis in the form of a seminar, and defend it publicly, to complete the requirements for the Master's Degree. The Advisory Committee will determine whether the student successfully defended the Thesis. The Master's Degree is awarded after the completion of all requirements.

For application packages and general information about graduate opportunities in the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida visit health.usf.edu/medicine/phd or contact:

Franjesca Jackson 
Admissions Officer 
University of South Florida
Morsani College of Medicine 
Graduate Affairs, MDC 40 
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 
Tampa, FL 33612 
Ph: (813)-974-2256

Click here to access further information on Master's programs in the basic medical sciences.