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INTRODUCTION

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences offers the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a Concentration in Physiology.  The Concentration in Physiology comprises faculty members (including adjunct faculty) of the Department of Physiology.  A program of study and research is individually developed for each student in consultation with the student's adviser and the dissertation committee. The training program is designed to ensure the achievement of significant accomplishments in the student's principal research field, as well as broad training in physiology. The goals of the program are to develop scientists with exceptional ability to conduct independent original research, who can design and offer instruction in physiology appropriate to the needs of medical and graduate student education, and who possess the background and training needed in scientific laboratories in academia and industry.

The academic program in physiology conforms to the regulations of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, although there may be certain additional requirements superimposed by the faculty of the Department of Physiology.  Minimum requirements of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program include 48 hours of formal course work.  Graduate research, which is carried out under the direction of the faculty adviser and the committee, includes the areas of cellular, renal, cardiovascular, endocrine, and molecular physiology and neurophysiology.

Graduate students are required to complete core courses in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program and advanced courses in physiology during the first two years of graduate training.  Graduate courses in other areas are encouraged, depending on the student's research interests. Other advanced graduate courses are offered as electives. The student is introduced to research during the first year of graduate training by a program of rotations through faculty laboratories. At the end of the first year, it is anticipated that each student will select a research supervisor and will have initiated research.

All students are required to participate in the seminar programs offered by the Department of Physiology.  Advanced students will also be involved in various teaching programs of the Department of Physiology, since most graduates enter academic positions at medical schools, where teaching experience is important.  Attendance and presentation of research findings at national scientific meetings are expected.

Students must pass a preliminary examination, directed by the student's adviser, which involves an oral defense of a short research proposal before being admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.