Overview
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is primarily a professional and graduate education campus. The student body includes about 1,700 students in medical, dental, and nursing and health-related professions and Ph.D. and M.S. programs. The Medical Center occupies numerous modern buildings for research, teaching, and clinical care on a large, pleasant campus at the edge of the city.

The Department of Anatomy normally has between 7 and 10 graduate students. Currently, there are 7 students (4 men and 3 women). The Medical Center campus has about 225 students enrolled in graduate programs.

Graduates of this program hold faculty positions at UCLA, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and the University of Arkansas. Graduates have gone on to postdoctoral training programs at New York University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Kentucky and to residency training programs at Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and Saint Louis University.

The Location and Community
Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi, embodies the best aspects of both large and small cities. It offers a variety of cultural opportunities, such as a symphony orchestra, an opera company, a superb regional theater, a variety of museums, and a planetarium, and it is the home of the International Ballet Competition. Jackson is also home to four other colleges and universities. The mild weather encourages year-round outdoor activities, such as tennis, golf, camping, hiking, fishing, and boating, all of which can be enjoyed within a few minutes of downtown Jackson. The city is served by two major interstate highways (I-20 and I-55) and an international airport, yet it is easy to get around within the city and the cost of living is moderate. The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Memphis, and New Orleans are just a 3-hour drive away, and Birmingham, 4 hours.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements

The Department of Anatomy offers programs of study leading to the M.S., Ph.D., and M.D.-Ph.D. degrees. The program is intended to provide a broad background in biomedical science as well as expertise in a selected area of research and to develop the skills and insights necessary to become an effective teacher and independent investigator. After completing a core curriculum of basic science courses, each student pursues an individually tailored program of advanced study and directed research training in an area of his or her particular interest. Teaching in department courses and presentation of research findings at national meetings are encouraged and supported. Graduating students are well prepared for careers in research and teaching.

Research in the Department of Anatomy is primarily in different areas of neurobiology. Faculty members are studying the somatosensory, auditory, vestibular, and oculomotor systems; the cell biology of Alzheimer's disease; pituitary gland function; and the development of the heart and cardiovascular system. Some research programs concentrate on traditional neuroanatomy, whereas others combine neuroanatomy with cell biology or neurophysiology techniques or with behavioral single-neuron neurophysiology. Anatomy faculty research programs are supported by both public and private funding agencies.

Facilities & Resources
The Department of Anatomy has excellent research facilities for light and electron microscopy, cell and molecular biology, tissue culture, intracellular and extracellular electrophysiology, and behavioral testing.

Expenses and Aid
Tuition is $114 per credit hour (maximum of $1026 per quarter). The usual course load during the first year is 9 hours for fall quarter, 7 hours for winter quarter, 7 hours for spring quarter, and 4 hours for summer quarter. Anatomy graduate students are provided with all books for Department of Anatomy courses.

Financial Aid:
All students accepted into the Ph.D. program receive graduate assistantships. The stipend is $22,000 per year and is automatically renewed each year as long as progress is satisfactory. M.S. students are not eligible for University assistantships.

Housing/Living Expenses:
Student apartments ($250 to $320 per month) and a women's dormitory are available on the campus; other apartments are located near the Medical Center.

How to Apply
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with a B average in a recognized scientific discipline from an accredited college or university. The GRE General Test is required (as is the TOEFL for international students). Students with combined verbal and quantitative scores of at least 1100 have had better success than students with lower scores. Admission is based on test scores, academic record, letters of reference, and experience. Application for admission may be made at any time, although application for the fall or winter quarter is encouraged. Applications received by January 31 receive priority consideration for admission to the fall quarter.

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