Overview
The Medical College of Georgia (MCG), chartered in 1828, has become a major academic health center and health sciences research university, committed to being one of the nation's premier academic health centers for outstanding education, committed public service, and leading-edge research and scholarship. The institution, consisting of the Schools of Graduate Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, and Nursing and the Hospital and Clinics, offers a broad range of health care and biomedical research training opportunities. The School of Graduate Studies offers outstanding training and education opportunities for students enrolled in a variety of graduate programs leading to the Ph.D., MD/Ph.D., Master of Science, Master of Nursing, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Our graduate faculty is comprised of approximately 190 members from the Schools of Graduate Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing. The graduate student body is drawn from institutions in the United States and recognized foreign institutions. Graduate students speak highly of their MCG education, citing factors such as small class sizes, extensive faculty support, in-depth “hands on” training, a friendly environment and the cultivation of highly marketable skills.

The Location and Community
The Medical College of Georgia is located in Augusta, the second-largest city in Georgia with a metropolitan area population of around 492,000. It is positioned on the south bank of the Savannah River on the Georgia – South Carolina border, within a three-hour drive of Atlanta, the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains. The area is known for its mild climate, offering exceptional opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities year round. http://www.augustausa.com

Downtown Augusta is enjoying a revival with Riverwalk Augusta as its centerpiece. The area boasts casual to fine dining restaurants, the National Science Center’s Fort Discovery, and a variety of cultural activities including theatres, museums, the symphony, opera, and ballet. Augusta is home to the Lynx ice hockey team, the Augusta Green Jackets baseball team and the Masters Golf tournament. The Augusta area features many facilities for outdoor activities including tennis clubs, golf courses and running/biking trails. Nearby attractions include Lake Thurmond, polo tournaments and other equestrian events.

Programs Of Study And Degree Requirements
Biomedical Sciences (http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/phdbiomed.htm)

The Medical College of Georgia offers a Ph.D. degree in seven biomedical science programs:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/gbiochem.htm

Cellular Biology & Anatomy http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/gcba.htm

Molecular Medicine http://www.mcg.edu/gradmm/

Neuroscience http://www.mcg.edu/neuroscience/

Pharmacology http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/gpharmtox.htm

Physiology http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/gphyendo.htm

Vascular Biology http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/vascularbio.htm

Each program is dedicated to training students for leadership positions in biomedical research and related careers. Students are admitted via a common admissions process to the Ph.D. programs in biomedical science. After completing first-year course requirements and laboratory rotations, students select their dissertation research advisor and enter into an individual program.

The Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology offers both Master of Science and PhD degree programs. http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/goralbio.htm

The Department of Biostatistics offers Master of Science degree in Biostatistics. http://www.mcg.edu/research/biostat/masters.htm

Allied Health Sciences (http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/allied.htm)

Graduate programs in Allied Health sciences include: the Master of Science program which offers opportunities for expanded careers in education, research and practice; the Master of Science in Medical Illustration program and the new Master of Public Health in Health Informatics program.

Nursing
http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/gnursphd.htm or

http://www.mcg.edu/SON/index.html

This program offers multiple graduate level degree options including a Ph.D. in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a Master of Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing in:

Adult Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Anesthesia

Facilities And Resources
MCG has a comprehensive, interdisciplinary biomedical sciences research program, with laboratory and clinical research in a number of exciting areas including: cancer biology, infection and inflammation and neurological and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to classic basic science and clinical departments that conduct excellent teaching and research, MCG also has several interdisciplinary centers and institutes with state-of-the-art research programs and equipment. The facilities to support biomedical research activities have been significantly increased, modernized, and renovated in recent years. Phase one of the Interdisciplinary Research Building was completed in the mid-1990s to house the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, founded to promote research excellence in the basic biomedical and clinical sciences. Phase two of the Interdisciplinary Research Building, completed in 2004, houses the researchers, laboratories, and equipment that advance research in areas such as diabetes, hypertension, biotechnology, and genomic medicine. The Carl T. Sanders Research and Education Building provides laboratories and additional classrooms designed to optimize educational and research opportunities. MCG has developed a number of state-of-the-art core facilities to ensure that investigators have access to cutting-edge technologies essential for leading biomedical research. There is more than 300,000 square feet of dedicated research space on campus. Currently under construction are a new Health Sciences Building, the future home of the Schools of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing and a new Cancer Research Center. The Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D., Library contains more than 170,000 bound volumes and has 9,000 unique title journals. It is highly computerized, with access to other University System of Georgia library collections, database searching, and interlibrary loans.

Expenses
Housing: MCG offers five on-campus residence facilities, including two that can accommodate families. The MCG Housing Office also can help match you with off-campus housing facilities. For more information, call the MCG Housing Office at (706) 721-3471, or visit: http://www.mcg.edu/students/affairs/house/

Tuition: As a state-assisted university, the Medical College of Georgia offers one of the most reasonably priced graduate educations available. Tuition for full-time students enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies in non-nursing programs for the 2006-07 academic year (per semester) is $2,184 for Georgia residents and $8,732 for nonresidents. Tuition for full-time students enrolled in School of Graduate Studies programs in nursing for the 2006-07 academic year (per semester) is $2,724 for Georgia residents and $9,232 for nonresidents. All students are required to pay an additional $75 technology fee per semester. PhD students who are granted a graduate research assistantship pay a reduced tuition of $25 per semester. Students with 6 or more hours per semester pay health, activity, and miscellaneous fees ranging from $240 to $293 per semester, depending upon the specific program, program location, and semester enrolled. Nonresident graduate students may qualify for resident fees through the tuition waiver program administered by the School. Fees are subject to increase for 2006-07. For a complete listing of tuition and fees visit: http://www.mcg.edu/students/Tuition_and_fees/gradfees.htm

Financial Aid
Financial Aid: Several means of financial aid are available. Many graduate students in the PhD programs are awarded a graduate research assistantship package which includes a stipend of $23,000 per year for 2006/2007 (before taxes) primarily funded through the School of Graduate Studies and/or research grants. Information on other financial aid options is available by contacting individual programs directly or at: http://www.mcg.edu/students/finaid/studentguide.pdf

How To Apply
A completed application form, three letters of recommendation, two official transcripts from each college/university attended and a $30 application fee are required for consideration into each program. In many cases, appropriate entrance exam test scores (e.g., Graduate Record Exam, Test of English as a Foreign Language) are required.

The Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program will pay the application fee of $30 for applicants that meet the following criteria:

Applicants are United States citizens or individuals with a permanent resident visa status

Applicants are applying to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences
Applications are received by December 31, 2005. (Applications received after this date will be charged the $30 application fee.)

Candidates should check individual programs for exact admission requirements accessed through: http://www.mcg.edu/Admissions/index.htm
and http://www.mcg.edu/catalog/gencatalog/AdmissIndex.htm

Deadlines for completed applications for 2006 admission are specific for each program and can be found listed on the application at: http://www.mcg.edu/students/gradpgms/gradapply.pdf

An on-line application form can be accessed through http://www.mcg.edu/students/gradpgms/

or to request an application call (706) 721-2725 or write to:

Office of Academic Admissions
Kelly Administration Building
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA 30912-7300

Early application is strongly encouraged.

Completed applications should be sent to the Office of Academic Admissions (address above).

Who To Contact
Patricia L. Cameron, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Director of Undergraduate Research Programs (STAR Programs)
School of Graduate Studies, CJ 2201
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912-1500

Office: (706) 721-3279
Fax: (706) 721-6829
Email: biomed@mail.mcg.edu
Web site: http://www.mcg.edu/GradStudies/index.html

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM & DIRECTORS

Darren Browning, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Phone: 706-721- 9526
Email: dbrowning@mail.mcg.edu

Areas of research interest in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program are focused on important human health problems including drug abuse and its effect of the developing fetus, drug delivery, membrane transporters and their relevance to human disease, pathogenic bacteria and factors affecting their virulence, the regulation of inflammation and cancer by cyclic nucleotide dependent protein kinases, the control of globin gene expression, corneal wound healing, and RNA degradation.

Zheng Dong, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Cellular Biology and Anatomy
Phone: 706-721-2825
Email: zdong@mail.mcg.edu

The Cellular Biology and Anatomy program provides diverse training opportunities in developmental biology, cell biology and neuroscience. Students use state-of-the-art techniques to investigate biomedical problems related to vision, the heart, nervous system, thymus, cardiovascular and neural crest cell development, genetic regulation of development, neurodegenerative diseases, the cytoskeleton and regeneration, special senses, growth factors and cellular signal transduction mechanisms, nuclear structure/function and multi-drug resistance, gastroenterology and vascular biology.

Wendy Bollag, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine
Phone: 706-721-0698
Email: wbollag@mail.mcg.edu

The Molecular Medicine graduate program is based in an interdisciplinary research institute rather than an academic department. The program provides strong emphasis on molecular processes underlying human disease. Research interests are focused in developmental neurobiology, cancer biology and gene regulation, molecular immunology, biotechnology and genomic medicine, regenerative medicine and molecular chaperones and radiobiology.

Deborah L. Lewis, Ph.D., Professor
Director, Graduate Program in Neuroscience
Phone: 706-721-6345
E-mail: dlewis@mcg.edu

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the Medical College of Georgia is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with an understanding of the disorders of the nervous system by integrating study of basic molecular, cellular and systems level neuroscience. In addition students shadow doctors in innovative clinical neuroscience rotations to understand how neuroscience research can reduce the burden of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Over 35 faculty members mentor students in research on drug abuse, memory, vision, hearing, ion channels, neuronal migration, growth of dendrites, development, synapse formation, regeneration, puberty, epilepsy, stroke, post traumatic stress disorder, Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Richard White, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Pharmacology
Phone: 706-721- 7582
Email: rwhite@mail.mcg.edu

Pharmacology is a wide-ranging discipline encompassing chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, physiology and behavior. Our faculty members apply a wide array of techniques to questions relating to cardiovascular function and the nervous system. Faculty research interests include receptor-associated proteins, cell signaling via G protein-coupled receptors, protein kinases and ion channels and cognitive function in aged primates.

Michael Brands, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Physiology
Phone: 706-721-9785
Email: mbrands@mail.mcg.edu

Physiology integrates concepts and principles from all areas of medical science to understand function, from the molecular to the whole-animal level. Our faculty members have expertise in cardiovascular and renal physiology, hypertension, behavioral neuroscience and genetics, adrenal endocrinology and genetics, with experimental techniques ranging from chronic animal studies to state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic work. We foster a spirit of collaboration that provides a virtually limitless ability to answer the most important questions in biomedicine.

David Pollock, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Vascular Biology
Phone: 706-721-8514
Email: DPOLLOCK@mail.mcg.edu

Research projects pursued by faculty in the Vascular Biology program encompass studies ranging from the molecular and genetic level, to the regulation of cellular processes, to multi-cellular and organ system regulation, as well as to human studies. Research interests include topics related the permeability function of the retinal microvasculature, responses of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to injury, growth and proliferation of vascular cells, endothelial dysfunction in hypertension and cardiomyopathy, roles of vasoactive mediators in mammalian cell function, and signal transduction in vascular endothelial cells.

MD/PhD GRADUATE PROGRAM
Edward Inscho, Ph.D.
Director, MD/Ph.D. Program
Phone: 706-721- 5615
Email: EINSCHO@mail.mcg.edu

Students in the MD/PhD Program can perform dissertation research for the Ph.D. on the Medical College of Georgia, University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University campuses. A wide variety of opportunities in the area of biomedical research are available for students in the MD/PhD Program.

ORAL BIOLOGY & MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
Jill Lewis, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology
Phone: 706-721-2991
Email: jillewis@mail.mcg.edu

The Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology program provides a wide range of oral health research opportunities. Biomedical engineering and molecular approaches, along with state-of-the-art equipment, are used to study research areas such as orthodontic tooth movement, regulation of cranial suture closure, dentin dynamics, fluoride metabolism, hormonal effects on oral health, temporomandibular joint histomorphology, chemopreventive agents and biomarkers of oral cancer, salivary biology, and biocompatibility of dental materials.

BIOSTATISTICS GRADUATE PROGRAM
James Dias. PhD
Director, Biostatistics
Phone: 706-721-0806
E-mail: jdias@mail.mcg.edu

The main objective of the Master of Science program in Biostatistics is to produce MS level Biostatisticians able to consult, at the staff level, with medical and health researchers. This program is designed to provide an intensive exposure to the wide range of ideas, methodology and techniques needed to perform as a staff-level statistician in the areas of designing and collecting data from experiments, observational studies, and clinical trials; and analysing and reporting such data, with the aim of extracting information from these data stored in various forms. The application focus is on medicine, nursing, allied health, laboratory science and other biological disciplines.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
Kent W. Guion, M.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Phone: 706-721- 2621
E-mail: wguion@mail.mcg.edu

The Master of Science is a research degree program for allied health and related professionals. The program is interdisciplinary, research-oriented and requires the completion of a thesis. The School of Allied Health Sciences offers allied health concentrations in Biomedical and Radiological Technologies, Dental Hygiene, Health Informatics, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Medical Illustration, and Physical Therapy. Programs leading to a Master in Public Health in Health Informatics and Master of Science in Medical Illustration are also offered.

The Master of Public Health in Health Informatics (iMPH) program is a new two-year graduate program that aims to produce public health professionals with skills and competencies that contribute to the management, analysis, and dissemination of personal and population health related information. This program is designed to be a comprehensive and integrated educational experience encompassing public health, health informatics and health administration themes. For more information about the Master in Public Health program, contact:

Miguel A. Zuniga, MD,MHA, DrPH
iMPH Program Director
Phone: 706-721-3436
E-mail: mzuniga@mail.mcg.edu

The Master of Science in Medical Illustration program is one of only five in the nation and is accredited by AMI and CAAHEP. The curriculum includes basic medical science courses, training in the materials, techniques, and uses of medical illustration; planning the production of instructional media; and experience in preparing scientific information for presentation through publication and audiovisual methods of communication. For more information about the Master in Medical Illustration program, contact:

Andrew E. Swift
Assistant Professor and Admissions Coordinator
Phone: 706-721-3266

E-mail: aswift@mail.mcg.edu

As of January 1, 2005, no new students will be enrolled into The Master of Health Education Degree Program until further notice. Several of the disciplines that were originally served by this degree have moved to Master entry level.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN NURSING
Georgia L. Narsavage, PhD, SPRN, BC
Professor and Associate Dean
Phone: 706-721-2787
Email: gnarsavage @mail.mcg.edu

The focus of the Nursing graduate programs at the Medical College of Georgia has been and continues to be to prepare nurses as outstanding health care leaders for the State of Georgia and beyond. The School of Nursing faculty is dedicated to the integration of teaching, research, and practice, ensuring that every graduate is prepared to reach the farthest ends of his or her career goals. You will find a variety of highest quality, innovative educational programs to meet your needs. Partnerships across the Georgia educational institutions provide unlimited learning opportunities for MCG students. The Medical College of Georgia is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The School of Nursing programs are approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.