Pathology (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Pathology (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pathology covers research topics across multiple disciplines in a broad range of diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The program offers access to cutting-edge research methodologies for in-depth analysis of fundamental, translational and/or clinical research to understand mechanisms of disease pathogenesis.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (6 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PATH 620 | Research Seminar 1. | 3 |
Research Seminar 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Seminar presentation to staff and students on the Master's research. | ||
| PATH 622 | Research Seminar 2. | 3 |
Research Seminar 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Seminar presentation to staff and students on the Master's research. | ||
| PATH 701 | Comprehensive Examination - Ph.D. Candidates. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examination - Ph.D. Candidates. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
3-9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PATH 504 | Disease in Depth. | 3 |
Disease in Depth. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Mechanisms controlling the cellular life cycle in normal versus disease states such as cancer, infectious disease, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immune disorders. | ||
| PATH 607 | Biochemical Pathology. | 3 |
Biochemical Pathology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Immunopathogenesis of Human Disease: Lectures and seminars on immune-regulatory mechanisms (cellular/molecular), maintaining the balance between protection and pathology; pathogenesis of major infectious diseases with bacterial, viral and parasitic involvement (e.g. tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria) and classical immune disorders (e.g. asthma). | ||
| PATH 652 | Molecular Biology of Disease. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of Disease. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Lectures and seminars dealing with concepts and current techniques in molecular biology applied to the study of human diseases with emphasis on cancer. | ||
0-6 credits at the 500 level or higher, which may be chosen from courses outside the Department of Pathology in consultations with the research director and graduate student advisory committee.