Anatomy — M.S., Ph.D.

The School of Medicine's Division of Anatomy offers curricula leading to the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The core curriculum coursework provides a broad biomedical background, with opportunities for qualified students to not only study all aspects of human morphology from both didactic and investigative points of view, but to also develop a special area of research interest. Study and research on other species and in other biomedical disciplines may be included in the student's curriculum. While working on a significant research problem, students are introduced to research methods through scientific literature and the laboratory. They acquire experience in scientific communication by participating in seminars, writing critical reviews, and reporting results of research experience either in thesis/dissertation form or as publishable/published papers.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in independent research and teaching in university, clinical, biotechnological, or government environments. In addition to technical skills, doctoral degree students are expected to develop creativity and independence.

The Master of Science degree provides content appropriate for persons preparing to teach at the secondary level or in related professional school areas, or for persons intending to pursue careers as research technicians.

The first-year curriculum includes a course sequence taught by an interdisciplinary faculty that integrates all disciplines of the biomedical basic science areas—moving from molecules through cellular mechanisms to integrated systems. In addition, a supplemental course covers research-related topics such as scientific communication and integrity, information handling and statistics, and successful grant-proposal writing. Students learn of new developments in the biomedical sciences through weekly seminars and gain presentation skills in a weekly student presentation seminar series. During the subsequent years, formal courses continue to broaden and integrate, into a meaningful whole, an understanding of the clinical consequences of cellular events.

Religion requirement

Students in the Master of Science (M.S.) degree curriculum are required to complete one, 3-unit graduate-level religion course. Students in the Ph.D. degree curriculum are required to complete three graduate-level religion courses of 3 or more units each. Please see curriculum for details.

Research units

A student will, at all times, enroll for research units. The units should be spread over the time it takes to complete the thesis or dissertation research satisfactorily. 

Program learning outcomes

By the end of the anatomy program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Apply the biomedical sciences to the study of human anatomy.
2. Demonstrate mastery of molecular, cellular, and integrative aspects of anatomy.
3. Interpret current literature in anatomy.
4. Make original contributions to biomedical science.
5. Demonstrate scientific and professional ethics.
6. Explain the process of applying for external funding.*

*This objective is not applicable to M.S. degree students.

First-year curriculum (Ph.D. degree)

In addition to Loma Linda University application requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or the equivalent from an international university.
• General test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE): A total (verbal plus quantitative) score of no less than the sum of the scores corresponding to the 50th percentile of each, with neither score less than the 35th percentile; analytical writing 4.0. GRE scores older than five years from the date of matriculation are not considered.

Course prerequisites

PLEASE NOTE: CLEP (College-Level Examination Program), pass/fail performances, and online classes are not acceptable for the science required courses. Additionally, science credits earned in professional schools (e.g., allied health professions, business, dentistry, nursing or pharmacy) do not fulfill requirements for admissions to the graduate program.

The program reserves the right to decide on the equivalence of courses presented by the applicant.

A minimum of 45 units is required for the M.S. degree, as detailed in the table below. Two options—a research track and a coursework track—are available. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Students must adhere to all University and program policies as published in the Student Handbook, University CATALOG, or Student Guide. Policies and requirements are subject to change.

¹

Registration and attendance required every quarter in residence, but units do not count toward total required for graduation. 

²

Fulfills service learning requirement.

Coursework option: a comprehensive written examination over the graduate coursework in lieu of writing a thesis.

Research option: pass an oral examination administered by the student's graduate guidance committee after thesis has been completed.

NORMAL TIME TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM

Two (2) years—based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted.

M.S., Ph.D. Comparison

For the Ph.D. degree, students must complete a minimum of 70 units, as detailed in the table below, and must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0. In addition, doctoral students are required to pass both written and oral comprehensive examinations in order to advance to candidacy. They must successfully defend their dissertations before their guidance committee prior to being awarded the Ph.D. degree.

Students must adhere to all University and program policies as published in the Student Handbook, University CATALOG, or Student Guide. Policies and requirements are subject to change.

¹

Registration and attendance required every quarter in residence, but units do not count toward total required for graduation. 

²

Fulfills service learning requirement.

³

Fulfill service learning requirement.

NORMAL TIME TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM

Four (4) years—based on full-time enrollment; part-time permitted.

M.S., Ph.D. Comparison