About the Program
The Physiology graduate program provides comprehensive training in integrative sciences incorporating the tools and techniques of physiology with other disciplines to conduct research at the molecular, cellular, organ, and whole animal levels. Areas of research include Angiogenesis and Inflammation in Diabetic Retinopathy; Retinal Degeneration/Inflammation/Vitamin A Metabolism; Insulin Receptor/Phosphoinositide Signaling in Retinal Diseases; Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders; Neurobiology of Aging and Diabetes; Cardiovascular Physiology and Neurophysiology; Gastrointestinal Disorders; Tumor Biology of Invasion, Progression, and Metastasis.
Areas of Specialization
- Angiogenesis and Inflammation in Diabetic Retinopathy
- Retinal Degeneration/Inflammation/Vitamin A Metabolism
- Insulin Receptor/Phosphoinositide Signaling in Retinal Diseases
- Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders
- Systems Neurobiology of Aging and Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Physiology and Neurophysiology
- Geroscience
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Tumor Progression and Metastasis
Career Opportunities
Individuals who graduate with a PhD in Physiology have a number of exciting and rewarding career opportunities in academic research, teaching, biotechnology, government laboratories, industry, and health-related organizations.
Cost
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
The MS degree is offered with a thesis (30 credit hours) or non-thesis (32 credit hours) option. For the thesis option four hours of PHYO 5980 Research For Masters Thesis are required. For either option, no more than one hour of PHYO 5971 Seminar can be taken for credit.
Thesis Track
Non-Thesis Track
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements
The minimum credit requirement for the PhD degree is 90 semester hours of classwork and research. Requirements for the degree can usually be met in four years. During the first year, the student completes interdisciplinary course work emphasizing molecular aspects of cell and organismal biology, along with at least three and up to six research rotations. For the subsequent years, the student enters the Physiology PhD program, takes the advanced physiology class and performs dissertation research in close collaboration with the major professor and doctoral committee. Course credit can be given for previous Master’s work.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| BSE 5111 | Scientific Integrity in Research | 1 |
| BSE 5113 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| BSE 5163 | Biostatistical Methods I | 3 |
| BSE 5173 | Biostatistics Methods II | 3 |
| HAP 5203 | Health Economics | 3 |
| PHSC 5031 | Oral/Written Presentation Skills in the Social & Administrative Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1 |
| PHSC 5433 | Social and Behavioral Issues in the Medication Use Process | 3 |
| PHSC 5703 | Pharmacy Administration Research Methods | 3 |
| PHSC 5713 | Advanced Pharmacy Management | 3 |
| PHSC 5723 | Pharmacy Service Evaluation | 3 |
| PHSC 5990 | Special Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1-5 |
| PHSC 6120 | Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1-4 |
| PHSC 6970 | Seminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1-2 |
| 1-12 |
| PHSC 6980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-16 |
Note: Student’s advisory committee sets the remainder of any needed requirements to meet the 90 hours required for the degree.
Admission Requirements
The department supports both the MS and the PhD Programs. For the PhD program, the department of Physiology is a participant in the interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS). Students wishing to enter the Physiology PhD program apply to GPiBS as described in the GPiBS section of the Bulletin. Applicants can also be admitted directly into the Physiology PhD program with the same requirements as the GPiBS admission process.
