The program draws on faculty research strengths in signal transduction, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, gene microarrays, genomics, proteomics, gene knockout and transgenics, tissue culture, and protein and carbohydrate biochemistry. The CVMD faculty members are not only drawn from its associated department, the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and the Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research (CeDER), but also from other departments including the Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Orthopedics, Neurosciences and Urology. Modern, well-equipped research facilities are available through the participating departments. The CVMD program offers degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and MS in biomedical sciences (MSBS). The program also offers these graduate degrees in combination with the Medical Degree (MD) that is offered by the medical school. Students from the four programs, PhD, MSBS, MD/PhD and MD/MSBS, follow a well-defined program that includes core courses, journal clubs, seminars, laboratory rotations, independent research, and electives in the area of interest. Students select faculty advisors and begin their independent dissertation research following the laboratory rotations in the biomedical science core curriculum. The curriculum is designed to enable students, guided by their advisors, to develop the expertise that prepares them for a successful career in research and education.