MISSION STATEMENT

The principle mission of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy is to provide medical and graduate students with a solid foundation in human anatomy, embryology and cellular biology. During the first year, medical students learn essential aspects of clinical anatomy, embryology, histology and molecular cell biology in four core courses offered by the department. The clinical anatomy and histology courses have a hands-on laboratory component, as well as formal lectures. In addition to the basic science foundation, all of our courses are interfaced to the clinical disciplines through numerous clinical correlation lectures and seminars presented by practicing physicians. Opportunities exist for medical students to participate in departmental research programs during the summer quarters of freshman and sophomore years.

Graduate students complete a core program of course work and also participate in seminars and journal clubs while conducting their supervised research projects. Nearly all of the faculty in the department run research programs funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or other federal or private funding agencies. The goal of the graduate program is to provide graduate students with a high quality scientific training that will enable them to make substantial contributions to the understanding of health and disease. Because teaching is an important part of academic life, all graduate students participate in some teaching during their graduate careers to provide skills and experience that is essential for their future career.