Graduate Degrees:

Master of Science with a major in Physiology

Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Physiology

Physiologists study the functions of living organisms or their parts with emphasis on the characteristics of healthy, as opposed to diseased, tissues.   Increasingly, the discipline has focussed on the properties of single cells and their subcellular components and in this respect, has much in common with molecular biology.  However, whether at the level of the single cell or the whole organism, the aim of the physiologist is to understand those complex interrelationships between body tissues.

MASTER OF SCIENCE and DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The Department of Physiology offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Students planning a career in teaching or research in physiology are advised to complete the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The degree of Master of Science is of limited practical use in that it may not qualify students for suitable professional positions.

Admission to the program is contingent upon satisfying the requirements of the Graduate School and the Graduate Programs of the School of Medicine.  In addition, applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy degree are expected to have a personal interview with members of the Departmental Graduate Committee.

Scholarship: All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the School of Medicine governing graduate scholarship and degrees.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The master's degree is offered under Plan A only, for which the student must submit a thesis based on original research. Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to conduct original research and prepare a dissertation commensurate with thirty credits of dissertation direction. The research supporting the dissertation must be judged suitable for publication in one of the current scientific journals. This latter requirement may, in exceptional cases, be waived by the Chairperson of the Department.

ASSISTANTSHIPS and RESEARCH

The department has graduate assistantships and graduate research positions available for a limited number of qualified students. All doctoral students accepted into the program are considered for financial assistance and no application forms are necessary for this purpose. Students on assistantships are advised to elect no more than twelve credits in a given semester. All students, whether or not they hold a fellowship or an assistantship, are required to assist the graduate faculty in research and teaching activities as a component of their educational experience. For more complete information on fellowships, students should consult or write to: