Qualifiers
The qualifier committee will have at least 2 members from the Department of Physiology and a minimum of 3 tenure-track faculty. The Director of Graduate Studies in Physiology will choose the committee members.
The student is required to write, and defend, an extensive review of a topic that is not directly associated with their anticipated research. The review should be given to members of the committee 2 weeks before the oral defense.
Qualifiers will occur within 6 months of declaration of Physiology as the program of study.
Thesis Committee
A member of the department of Physiology is required to be mentor for the student. A co-mentor is also permitted. Another member of the department of Physiology is also required. A minimum of 4 thesis committee members are required, all tenure-track faculty.
The first thesis committee will occur within 9 months of completing the qualifiers, with regular meetings scheduled every 6 months.
Publications
At least one first author publication is required for the degree.
Journal Clubs
Attendance and participation is required at the Pharmacology or Physiology/Biophysics Journal Club every semester.
Course Requirements
In addition to the BIMS Core Course, there are 8 additional modules required. These include Graduate Physiology (2 modules: Grad Physiology A and B), Pharmacology (2 modules: Intro to Pharmacology and Intro to Neuropharmacology) and Biophysical Foundations of Molecular Physiology (1 modules). At least one more graduate level module offered within the Department of Physiology is required. The last two modules can be from any graduate level course (to be determined by the PI and student).
Description of the required courses:
- Physiology A
Home Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Semester and Module: S1
Pre-requisites: None
Course Description:
The course will integrate background cellular and molecular knowledge into organ systems and whole animal, function. It is intended to provide the ability to integrate knowledge at the molecular level into function—the foundation of translational-based research. The physiology to be covered will include the nervous system, metabolism and endocrine systems.
- Physiology B
Home Department: Biophysics
Semester and Module: S2
Pre-requisites: Physiology A or permission of instructor
Course Description:
The course will integrate background cellular and molecular knowledge into organ systems and whole animal, function. It is intended to provide the ability to integrate knowledge at the molecular level into function—the foundation of translational-based research. Specifically, the physiology to be covered will include the heart, vasculature, kidney, GI, and muscle.
- Biophysical Foundations of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Home Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Semester and Module: S1
Pre-requisites: Core Course
Course Description:
This course introduces various aspects of molecular and cellular physiology and biophysics, including ion channel and neurophysiology, electron microscopy of large complexes and advanced optical microscopy to study cellular processes in live cells and model systems. Aspects of cellular signal transduction and synaptic transmission will be covered. Techniques will be explained with specific examples from molecular and cellular physiology.
- Introduction to Pharmacology
Home Department: Pharmacology
Semester and Module: F1
Pre-requisites: Physiology A & B recommended
Course Description:
The course will cover the major classes of therapeutically relevant drugs, and how they work at the molecular and cellular levels. The major topics include: general principles, chemical mediators, drugs affecting major organ systems and chemotherapy of infectious and malignant disease.
- Introduction to Neuropharmacology
Home Department: Pharmacology
Semester and Module: F1
Pre-requisites: Physiology A & B recommended, Introduction to Pharmacology or permission of instructor.
Course Description:
The course will cover the major classes of therapeutically relevant drugs, and how they work at the molecular and cellular levels. The major topics include: general principles, chemical mediators, drugs affecting the central nervous system.
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