Saint Louis University's Department of Pathology actively integrates research intohe mechanisms of diseases at the genetic, molecular, and cellular levels with clinical activities. While ensuring an increasing understanding of human diseases, this provides the foundation for further developments in diagnosis and therapy. To support these fundamental activities, the faculty provide extensive research and training opportunities to graduate students and medical trainees. All students interested in SLU's Ph.D. program in pathology must enroll through the core graduate program in biomedical sciences. This one-year program provides a strong basic foundation in biomedical sciences and allows students to rotate through four formal laboratory rotations in the medical center before choosing a specific field of study. After the first year, students will choose a mentor and specify a department from one of five, distinct Ph.D. programs for further work toward a Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D. degree requires 36 credits of coursework and 12 credits toward the successful completion and defense of an original research dissertation. Courses required for a Ph.D. degree in pathology include the core basic biomedical sciences coursework, which covers topics in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology and neurobiology. Students will also take courses in pathobiology, and research colloquia. Coursework includes lectures, small group problem-solving sessions, student presentations and hands-on experience. Additional elective courses, which may be taken from other departments or from other universities in the area, are selected in collaboration with a departmental adviser. Starting in the second year, students present their research progress yearly at Topics in Pathology, the departmental research colloquium. A written preliminary and oral examination is taken at the end of the second year, which focuses primarily on the proposed area of thesis research. Graduates of Saint Louis University's pathology program are technically skilled and thoughtful scientists prepared for successful research careers in academics, industry, medicine or government.