Ph.D. Curriculum | Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University<br\>Clinical Pathology

Ph.D. Curriculum

1. Program Title: Doctor of Philosophy Program in Applied Clinical Pathology (International Program)

2. Name of Degree

Full name: Doctor of Philosophy (Applied Clinical Pathology)

Abbreviation: Ph.D. (Applied Clinical Pathology)

3. Responsible Units

3.1 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University – Teaching Institution

3.2 Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University – Awarding Institution

4. Philosophy and Program Learning Outcomes of the Program

4.1 Philosophy of the Program:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Applied Clinical Pathology (International Program) aims to create and develop a doctorate that can extend the body of knowledge in clinical pathology to create international research results or independently create innovative clinical pathology. The program is designed for students with strong research competency, analytical and critical thinking skills, integrity, morality and ethics and responsibility, and the ability to transfer knowledge effectively for implementing the innovative solution.

The multi-disciplinary field of the clinical pathology program composes of clinical chemistry, toxicology, clinical immunology, hematology, clinical microscopy, transfusion medicine, clinical microbiology, virology, human genetics and pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. Students are able to link many fields together to gain a deeper understanding of the content of specific research to publication on the international standard journal. They are also must have academic morality and ethics.

4.2 Program Learning Outcomes:

4.2.1 Graduates perform work following scientific regulations, ethics and related law.

4.2.2 Graduates can comprehensively associate multidisciplinary knowledge in applied clinical pathology.

4.2.3 Graduates can criticize and create new knowledge in applied clinical pathology and conduct research to generate new knowledge or innovation.

4.2.4 Graduates can develop teambuilding skills and be responsible.

4.2.5 Graduates can select and use appropriate information technologies as well as mathematical and statistical methods and demonstrate effective communication skills.

5. Admission Requirements

5.1 Research only (Plan 1)

Plan 1.1 for applicants with a Master’s degree

1) Holding Master of Science degree in Clinical Pathology, Applied Clinical Pathology, Medical Technology, or other biological sciences, which accredited by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

2) Having at least one research publication (which is not a part of Bachelor or Master degree study) in clinical pathology, precision medicine or related fields in a peer reviewed journal and the applicant must be either the first or corresponding author.

Plan 1.2 for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree

1) Holding one of the following degrees; Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Technology or Medical Science or other related biological sciences, which accredited by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and

2) Having at least 2 years working experience as a researcher or having at least one research publication (which is not a part of Bachelor degree study) in clinical pathology, precision medicine or related fields in a peer reviewed journal.

5.1.1 Having cumulative GPA not less than 3.50 and

5.1.2 Having an English Proficiency Examination score as the requirement of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and

5.1.3 Having at least 1 original research publication or academic work in peer reviewed national or international journal as either the first or corresponding author

5.1.4 Applicant with qualifications other than items 5.1.1-5.1.2 may be eligible for the selection process at the discretion of the Program Director with administrative committee of the clinical pathology program and the Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies

5.2 Coursework and Research (Plan 2)

Plan 2.1 for applicants with a Master’s degree

Plan 2.2 for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree

5.2.1 Having cumulative GPA not less than 3.50 and

5.2.2 Having an English Proficiency Examination score as the requirement of Faculty of Graduate Studies and

5.2.3 Applicant with qualifications other than items 2.2.2.2-2.2.2.3 may be eligible for the selection process at the discretion of the Program Director with administrative committee of the clinical pathology program and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

6. Selection Method

Applicants are selected based on academic/research credentials and/or written examination and interview according to rules and regulation of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University. International applicants may be subjected to phone/online interview and must provide proof of financial support during the study period to be considered for admission. Final judgment will be made under the consideration of the Administrative Program Committee in concurrence with the Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

7. Academic System

7.1 Semester system

Semester

7.2 Credit Assignment

The number of credits assigned to each subject is determined as follows:

7.2.1 Lecture or discussion consuming 15 hours per semester is equal to 1 credit hour.

7.2.2 Laboratory, seminar or practice consuming 30 hours per semester is equal to 1 credit hour.

7.2.3 Thesis consuming 45 hours per semester is equal to 1 credit hour.

8. Language

English is used in teaching and learning as well as in the assessment processes.

9. Registration

9.1 Students must register as full time students.

9.2 Students must register for no less than 9 credits and no more than 15 credits per regular semester, or according to program study plan.

10. Evaluation and Graduation Requirements

10.1 Evaluation

Student evaluation and graduation are in accordance with the rules and regulations of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University. (See details at http://www.grad.mahidol.ac.th)

10.2 Graduation Requirements

Dissertation

10.2.1 Students holding a master’s degree must register for no less than 48 credits of thesis.Total credits acquired must be no less than 48 credits.

Coursework and Dissertation

10.2.2 Students holding a master’s clinical pathology degree must register for no less than 12 credits of coursework and 36 credits of thesis. Total credits acquired must be no less than 48 credits.

10.2.3 Students holding a master’s degree with other areas must register for no less than 14 credits of coursework and 36 credits of thesis. Total credits acquired must be no less than 50 credits.

10.2.4 Students holding a bachelor’s degree must register for no less than 30 credits of coursework and 48 credits of thesis. Total credits acquired must be no less than 78 credits.

All students must

10.2.5 Obtain accumulative GPA of at least 3.00

10.2.6 Pass the English Proficiency Examination offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies,Mahidol University with a TOEFL score of at least 500 (173 for computer-based or 61 for internet- based score) or an IELTS of at least 5.5.

10.2.7 Pass a written qualifying examination.

10.2.8 Participate in the enhance work skills and social life activities through the criteria of the Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

10.2.9 Present thesis and pass the oral thesis examination according to the regulations of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

10.2.10 Obtain at least one publication or a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal according to regulations of Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University.

11. Library

Our Library possesses more than 10,000 books and electronic database to search for many journals. Besides, a lot of text books and journals (in both electronic and printed formats) are available at other libraries within Mahidol University.

12. Program Structure

	Plan 1.1	Plan 1.2	Plan 2.1	Plan 2.2
Prerequisite courses	-	-	Non-credits	Non-credits
Required courses	-	-	6 credits	17 credits
Elective courses not less than	-	-	6 credits	7 credits
Dissertation	48 credits	72 credits	36 credits	48 credits
Total not less than	48 credits	72 credits	48 credits	72 credits

12.1 Plan 1: Research only

Plan 1.1: For Graduates with a Master’s degree, Number of credits (not less than) 48 credits

Plan 1.2: For Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree Number of credits (not less than) 72 credits

12.2 Plan 2: Coursework and Research

Plan 2.1: For Graduates with a Master’s degree Number of credits (not less than) 48 credits

Plan 2.2: For Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree Number of credits (not less than) 72 credits

12.3 Course Requirements

12.3.1 Fundamental Courses

Credits (lecture-lab-self-study)

For Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree (other areas) students

SCID 500 Cell and Molecular Biology

3 (3-0-6)

12.3.2 Required Courses

For Plan 2.1 Graduates with a Master’s Degree (6 credit)

Credits (lecture-lab-self-study)

*RAPA 701 Trends and Research in Applied Clinical Pathology

3 (3-0-6)

*RAPA 702 Seminar in Applied Clinical Pathology

3 (3-0-6)

12.3.3 Required Courses For Plan 2.2 Graduates with a Bachelor degree (17 credits)	Credits (lecture-lab-self-study)
RAPA 602 Genomic and Precision Medicine	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 603 Laboratory Instrumentation	1 (1-0-2)
RAPA 604 Research Methodology in Clinical Pathology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 701 Trends and Research in Applied Clinical Pathology	3 (3-0-6)
RAPA 702 Seminar in Applied Clinical Pathology	3 (3-0-6)
RAPA 704 Principle in Clinical Pathology	4 (3-3-7)
RAPA 705 Special Topics in Clinical Pathology	2 (2-0-4)

12.3.4 Elective Courses Plan 2.1: For Graduates with a Master’s Degree Not less than 6 credits Plan 2.2 : For Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree Not less than 7 credits	Credits (lecture-lab-self-study)
RAPA 539 Cell Culture Techniques	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 600 Advanced Knowledge in Immunology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 620 Pitfalls in Clinical Microbiology	2 (1-2-3)
RAPA 621 Advanced Practical Skills in Clinical Microbiology Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 628 Advanced Practical Skills in Clinical Chemistry Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 629 Molecular Diagnosis Test Kit Development and Advanced Diagnosis Technique in Virology	2 (1-2-3)
RAPA 630 Advanced Practical Skills in Virology Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 633 Advanced Practical Skills in Hematology Laboratory	3 (0-6-3)
RAPA 634 Advanced Practical Skills in Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetic Laboratory	3 (0-6-3)
RAPA 635 Advanced Immunodiagnostic Techniques	2 (1-2-3)
RAPA 636 Advanced Practical Skills in Immunology Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 637 Advanced Practical Skills in Human Genetics Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 638 Advanced Practical Skills in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 643 Genome Informatics	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 646 Seminar in Toxicology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 651 Advanced Knowledge in Molecular Oncology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 652 Advanced Practical Skills in Toxicology Laboratory	2 (0-4-2)
RAPA 668 Advanced Knowledge in Clinical Chemistry	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 669 Advanced Knowledge in Virology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 670 Advanced Knowledge in Human Genetics	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 671 Advanced Knowledge in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 672 Advanced Knowledge in Hematology	3 (3-0-6)
RAPA 687 Analysis and Application of Biomarkers in Clinical Chemistry	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 691 Advanced Knowledge in Toxicology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 696 Advanced Knowledge in Microbiology	2 (2-0-4)
RAPA 741 Advanced Knowledge in Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetic	3 (3-0-6)
*RAPA 801 Emerging and Re-emerging Bacterial and Fungal Infectious Diseases	2 (2-0-4)
*RAPA 802 Integrated Laboratory Approach in Bacterial and Fungal Infectiology	3 (3-0-6)
*RAPA 803 Emerging and Re-emerging Parasitic Infectious Diseases	2 (2-0-4)
*RAPA 804 Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Infectious Diseases	3 (3-0-6)
*RAPA 805 Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Data Correlation	2 (2-0-4)

Remark: In addition to the courses in the aforementioned elective courses, students may choose to register from other international Ph.D. courses offered in Mahidol University or from other universities according to their interests with the permission from the program director.

12.3.5 Dissertation Plan 1 : Research only Plan 1.1 : For Graduates with a Master’s degree	Credits (lecture-lab-self-study)
RAPA 898 Dissertation	48 (0-144-0)
Plan 1.2 : For Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree
RAPA 899 Dissertation	72 (0-216-0)
Plan 2 : Coursework and Research Plan 2.1 : For Graduates with a Master’s degree
RAPA 699 Dissertation	36 (0-108-0)
Plan 2.2 : For Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree
RAPA 799 Dissertation	48 (0-144-0)

12.3.6 Research Projects of the Program

Research in the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Clinical Pathology (International Program) focus on the research question from routine work to be useful for clinical pathology work and research for integrating clinical pathology.

Major research interests in the Department are:

1. Clinical chemistry

2. Clinical microbiology

3. Virology

4. Hematology

5. Transfusion medicine and tissue examination

6. Immunology

7. Human genetics and molecular oncology

8. Pharmacogenomics and Personalized medicine

9. Toxicology

12.4 Course Code Explanation

Four alphabet codes mean

Two first letters represent the abbreviated name of Faculty

SC = Faculty of Science

RA = Faculty of medicine, Ramathibodi hospital

The latter third and fourth letters represent the abbreviated name of responsible units

ID = Inter-departmental Courses

PA = Department of Pathology

The first numbers (5XX, 6XX, 7XX and 8XX) represent postgraduate program level.

12.5 Study Plan

13. Qualifying Examination

13.1 Examination evaluation will be divided into the following parts

- Moral and ethical will consider the pass / fall, focusing on the ethics of proposed research and plagiarism, which, if students fall in this section, will consider the results of the qualification examination not immediately passed without considering in other parts

- Knowledge (proportion 40%) covering basic knowledge related to the proposed research

- Intellectual skills (40% proportion) focusing on systematic analytical thinking

- Communication skills and numerical analysis (20% proportion) covering both verbal and written presentations including calculations and related statistics

13.2 Criteria for qualification examination are as follows

- Students conduct the first qualifying examination according to the study plan specified in the curriculum structure and able to retest within no more than 1 semester, using the same set of examinations.

- The topics used to test the qualification test can be a research thesis or not.

- Criteria for ethics consideration will use the majority of the exam directors.

- Criteria for cognitive skills, Communication skills and numerical analysis will be calculated as a total percentage. The passing criteria of each director is 70% and the pass / fall result will use the majority of the exam committee.

- Students must submit the proposed research before the test date at least 15 days Calendar. If sent later than the exam will be adjusted to "not pass" immediately.

- Only the qualification examination committees are allowed to participate in the exam.

- With recording (image and sound) qualification examination to verify in the event of an appeal.

- Appeals of results of qualification examination allow students to take action in writing to the course president. The course president will be brought to the Program Management Committee meeting to consider by the consideration of the Program Management Committee Considered to be the end.

13.3 The qualification examination committee of 5 persons (1: 2: 2) or 7 persons (1: 4: 2), as detailed below.

- Course president has the duty to chair the QE exam, check plagiarism, determine the time and place of examination (If the course president accepted as a principal advisor, the secretary of the course acting as the Chairman of the exam)

- At least 2 expert professors in the subject area of the exam.

- Two regular instructors who are random lottery by students at the Program Management Committee meeting (The random lottery must be conducted before the exam date for about 2 months). The names of the directors that will be randomly drawn will not include the names of the curriculum president, the directors in section 2 and the instructors that are not convenient for that exam.

14. Dissertation Research Proposal Presentation

After passing the qualifying examination, students must submit a document to Faculty of Graduate Studies for appointment of Dissertation Research Proposal Committee consisting of the student’s major advisor of at least 3 faculty members, while other two can be any academic staff within or outside Mahidol University. After approval of dissertation research proposal, this same committee will serve as Dissertation Advisory Committee monitoring and providing guidance to student regarding his/her doctoral research.

15. Dissertation Defense

Upon completion of doctoral research and dissertation writing and approval from Dissertation Advisory Committee, students must submit a document to Faculty of Graduate Studies for appointment of Dissertation Defense Committee consisting of at least 5 members: a committee chair, an external examiner and the Dissertation Advisory Committee (at least 3 members). After passing the oral dissertation defense, students can submit final written dissertation to Faculty of Graduate Studies.

16. Collaboration with Other Departments

Our department have a lot of cooperate with other departments in order to conduct an integrated clinical research and translate to clinical practice that helps improve the quality of life of the population. We also have collaborations with universities and scientists at other research institutes in Thailand and overseas.

17. Students Job Opportunities

A large number of our student alumni work as staff in hospital, lecturer in the universities, researchers in research institutes, or as product specialist in medical device company.

18. Estimated Tuition Fee

Fees	First Year		Second Year		Third Year		Fourth Year
	Semester-1	Semester-2	Semester-1	Semester-2	Semester-1	Semester-2	Semester-1	Semester-2
Research only Plan 1.1 Graduates with a Master’s degree
[010] EDUCATION SERVICES FEE	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	-	-	-	-
[020] STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE	250	250	250	250	-	-	-	-
[122] THESIS REGISTRATION FEE	72,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
[240] GRADUATE STUDIES FEE	750	750	750	750	-	-	-	-
[300] INTERNET FEE	500	500	500	500	-	-	-	-
[322] RESEARCH SUPPLIES FEE/THEMATIC PAPER SUPPLIES FEE	300,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
[380] QUALIFYING EXAMINATION FEE	4,200	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TOTAL	383,400	5,800	7,200	5,800	-	-	-	-
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE (Plan 1.1)	402,200 THB
Research only Plan 1.2 Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree
[010] EDUCATION SERVICES FEE	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	-	-
[020] STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE	250	250	250	250	250	250	-	-
[122] THESIS REGISTRATION FEE	72,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
[240] GRADUATE STUDIES FEE	750	750	750	750	750	750	-	-
[300] INTERNET FEE	500	500	500	500	500	500	-	-
[322] RESEARCH SUPPLIES FEE/THEMATIC PAPER SUPPLIES FEE	300,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
[380] QUALIFYING EXAMINATION FEE	4,200	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TOTAL	383,400	5,800	7,200	5,800	7,200	5,800	-	-
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE (Plan 1.2)	415,200 THB
Coursework & Research Plan 2.1 Graduates with a Master’s degree
[010] EDUCATION SERVICES FEE	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	-	-
[020] STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE	250	250	250	250	250	250	-	-
[041] GRADUATE TUITION FEE (12 Credits)	54,000	54,000	-	-	-	-	-	-
[122] THESIS REGISTRATION FEE	-	-	54,000	-	-	-	-	-
[240] GRADUATE STUDIES FEE	750	750	750	750	750	750	-	-
[300] INTERNET FEE	500	500	500	500	500	500	-	-
[322] RESEARCH SUPPLIES FEE/THEMATIC PAPER SUPPLIES FEE	-	-	300,000	-	-	-	-	-
[380] QUALIFYING EXAMINATION FEE	-	-	4,200	-	-	-	-	-
TOTAL	61,200	59,800	365,400	5,800	7,200	5,800	-	-
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE (Plan 2.1)	505,200 THB
Coursework & Research 2.2 Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree
[010] EDUCATION SERVICES FEE	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300	5,700	4,300
[020] STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEE	250	250	250	250	250	250	250	250
[041] GRADUATE TUITION FEE	81,000	81,000	54,000	-	-	-	-	-
[122] THESIS REGISTRATION FEE	-	-	-	72,000	-	-	-	-
[240] GRADUATE STUDIES FEE	750	750	750	750	750	750	750	750
[300] INTERNET FEE	500	500	500	500	500	500	500	500
[322] RESEARCH SUPPLIES FEE/THEMATIC PAPER SUPPLIES FEE	-	-	-	300,000	-	-	-	-
[380] QUALIFYING EXAMINATION FEE	-	-	-	4,200	-	-	-	-
TOTAL	88,200	86,800	61,200	382,000	7,200	5,800	7,200	5,800
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE (Plan 2.2)	644,200 THB