Doctoral Degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology
The first and second year curricula are devoted to anatomy coursework and complementary electives selected from cell and molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, biostatistics, and ethics in research. Methods and special topics courses during the first year help the student select and work more closely with his/her research advisor and identify project lines for dissertation research. Participation in the departmental journal club is expected each quarter. This is primarily a research-based degree, but doctoral students are also required to serve as instructional assistants in the core anatomy courses to improve their comfort level in working with students and anticipating future roles in teaching. Admission to degree candidacy for dedication to dissertation research is contingent upon successful completion of: 1) course and teaching requirements, 2) a written comprehensive examination, and 3) a dissertation proposal to be presented to the student's dissertation committee for approval.

Master's Degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology
The master's degree is a research-based degree requiring a thesis based on laboratory or experimental work of limited scope. There is some flexibility in selecting courses to meet the master's degree requirements. The core courses that students select to meet these requirements are minimized in order to direct students' efforts to their thesis projects beginning in the first year. Completion of the full course complement and thesis research would ordinarily take two years. MD/MS options for students enrolled in Rush Medical College or other applicants eligible for advanced standing are described below.

Core courses are based on corresponding courses in Rush Medical College, but include a supplement for graduate students. In these sessions students are variously presented with problems, encouraged to explore material from historical or contemporary perspectives in the literature, perform and demonstrate special dissections, and to discuss or present material on assigned topics. Weekly journal clubs on selected topics provide an opportunity for students to discuss papers under faculty supervision. These sessions expose students to methods and experimental studies outside the mainstream of their laboratory setting. The journal club provides experience in critical review of literature with a focus on experimental design and presentation and interpretation of data. Faculty participation in these discussions helps broaden students' perspectives.