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Tropical Medicine and Medical Microbiology

Le'ahi Hospital
3675 Kilauea Avenue, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96816
Tel: (808) 732-1477
Fax: (808) 732-1483
E-mail: sandrac@hawaii.edu
Web: hawaiimed.hawaii.edu

Faculty

* Graduate Faculty

• *K. Yamaga, PhD (Interim Chair)--immunological mechanisms of diseases
• *S. P. Chang, PhD--immunology, molecular biology, molecular approaches to vaccine development
• *A. R. Diwan, PhD--medical virology: chemotherapy, vaccines
• W. L. Gosnell, PhD--host parasite interactions, malaria, TB immunology
• *G. S. N. Hui, PhD--parasitology, immunology, cell biology
• *K. J. Kramer, PhD--parasitology, epidemiology, leptospirosis, HIV serodiagnosis
• *L. Tam, PhD--malaria and pox antigens, HIV serodiagnosis

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

• R. D. Allen, PhD--ultrastructure and cell biology
• M. E. Melish, MD--staphylococcal infection and toxins, clinical infectious disease, Kawasaki syndrome
• V. R. Nerurkar, PhD--pathogenesis and etiology of infectious diseases, molecular virology and epidemiology
• F. D. Pien, MD--clinical microbiology, diagnostic bacteriology and parasitology, efficacy of antimicrobial agents
• R. C. Rudoy, MD--clinical aspects of viral and bacterial diseases
• E. K. Tam, MD--inflammation, immunologic mechanisms of pulmonary diseases, genetic and environmental determinants of asthma

Degrees Offered: MS in biomedical science (tropical medicine), PhD in biomedical science (tropical medicine)

The Academic Program

Tropical medicine (TRMD) is the study of diseases that occur in the tropics. These are essentially the same diseases, with a few exceptions, that occur in other regions of the world. Some may be more common in the tropics than elsewhere; hence, they are referred to as "tropical diseases." The Department of Tropical Medicine and Medical Microbiology is devoted to the study of infectious diseases, with emphasis on those that occur in Hawai'i and other tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin. Epidemiological and ecological investigations of specific diseases are conducted at least partially in the field. Studies on the infectious organisms themselves (culture, characterization, and molecular biology) and the diseases they cause (immunology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment) are mostly laboratory-based. An important aspect of the department's research effort is the development of vaccines for the prevention of important tropical diseases (e.g., malaria).

The department is loosely arranged around four subdisciplines of medical microbiology: bacteriology, immunology, parasitology, and virology. However, there is a great deal of interaction and collaboration among the subdisciplines. Graduate students in tropical medicine may specialize in one of these fields, but all are expected to develop a basic knowledge of all aspects of infectious disease microbiology. The program offers students the opportunity to acquire a variety of experiences in a wide range of biological sciences (cell biology, biochemistry, epidemiology, molecular biology, biostatistics, etc.), as well as in their specific field of interest, along with vigorous training in scientific methodology. Such a program provides students with the background to take advantage of numerous professional options in the biological sciences. In this respect, the tropical medicine program provides learning opportunities in a range of biological disciplines available in few university departments.

Graduate Study

The department offers programs leading to the MS Plan A, MS Plan B, and PhD in tropical medicine, within the broader field of biomedical sciences, in the following areas of specialization: medical bacteriology, immunology, parasitology, and virology. The general purpose of the program is to prepare students for creative leadership in the field of tropical medicine. 

Applicants to the program must meet established Graduate Division requirements and have a baccalaureate degree in biology or related fields. Other majors may be acceptable if applicants have sufficient strength in biological science courses. Candidates are expected to have completed one and a half years of course work in life sciences, including microbiology; two years in chemistry, including organic and biochemistry; one year in physics; and one year in mathematics, including calculus. Exceptional students who do not meet all the above requirements may be accepted on a probational basis at the discretion of the graduate committee of the department and the Graduate Division. Admission to candidacy for a graduate degree is contingent upon the applicant's satisfactorily completing the necessary courses to correct any deficiencies. Official scores of the GRE General Test and the subject test (biology) and two letters of recommendation are required of all applicants.

The MS and PhD degrees are recognized Western Intercollegiate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) regional graduate programs. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible, upon admission, to enroll at resident tuition rates.

Master's Degree

Graduates with a master's degree have gone on to careers in science education at the secondary and college level, technical and research positions in universities, government agencies and biotechnology companies, or have continued on in PhD and MD training programs at other universities.

Requirements
A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for master's Plan A and Plan B. For Plan A, students must complete 9 credit hours of thesis research and 21 credit hours in courses numbered 600–699. For Plan B, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses numbered 600–699. A general examination, oral or written, is required before a student is advanced to candidacy for the MS degree. The final oral (Plan A) or oral and written (Plan B) examination, is given at least three weeks before the end of the term during which the degree is conferred. The student will be required to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the various fields of tropical medicine.

Doctoral Degree

Graduates with a PhD degree have pursued professional research, teaching, and administrative careers at various academic institutions, state and federal government agencies, international health agencies, and biotechnology companies.

Requirements
There are no course credit requirements for the doctoral degree. Nonetheless, candidates may be advised or required to enroll in courses if, in the opinion of their advisory committee, these courses are essential to preparation for the examinations required of all candidates. A reading knowledge of a foreign language considered by the department graduate committee to be pertinent to the student's area of interest is recommended but not required of a PhD candidate. Requirements consist of qualifying, comprehensive, and final examinations and a written dissertation. The purpose of a qualifying examination is to determine whether to encourage a student to proceed in a doctoral program and to assist the student in planning a program of study. Through a comprehensive examination the student must satisfactorily demonstrate to the members of the examination committee that he or she has a broad knowledge and basic understanding of tropical medicine in general and of the chosen minor fields. A final examination in defense of the dissertation is required of all PhD candidates.

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