Learning Outcomes for the Integrated Physiology PhD Program

Graduate education in general | Doctoral education is the foundation of future scholarship and the primary “engine” driving the research enterprise. It prepares future faculty and leaders in academia as well as in many other areas of industry, government, and society in general.

Integrated Physiology program in specific | Understanding mechanisms underlying the function of various systems in the body that contribute to both normal and pathological physiology is the fundamental prerequisite for all applied research in biology.  Doctoral education in Integrated Physiology trains students in basic integrated physiology concepts spanning multiple organ systems from molecular/cellular physiology to systems physiology using state of the art approaches.

The philosophy of our graduate program is to emphasize state-of-the-art research approaches at all stages; and that begins with the recruitment phase. We identify candidates with excellent undergraduate academic credentials, with a strong preference for those who have participated in independent research. During the first year in the program, students must complete three formal laboratory-based research rotations. Each research rotation is intended to examine testable hypotheses, as well as to provide exposure to new laboratory techniques. At the conclusion of each rotation, a post-rotational seminar is presented to the Program Faculty and Students.

During the first two years in the program, students are required to take a number of courses to prepare them for research careers in physiology. These include a core course in molecular and cellular biology overseen by the Graduate School, and Program core courses in Comprehensive Physiology and Histophysiology. Additional requirements include courses in Ethics, Biostatistics, and Rigor & reproducibility. Beginning in the second year, a number of electives are also available emphasizing topics such as: neuropharmacology/neurobiology, cancer biology, bioinformatics, principles of pharmacology, advanced topics in molecular biology, cell and molecular signaling, and structural biology. Students are also required to participate in weekly Integrated Physiology Journal Clubs and Seminar Series throughout their time in the program.

The PhD program in Integrated Physiology trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biomedical sciences.
• Understand the current concepts in Integrated Physiology.
• Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature relevant to physiology, in specific, and the basic and clinical biomedical sciences, in general.
• Formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field and design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects.
• Present research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a doctoral dissertation.
• Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues.
• Understand the basis of writing and submitting competitive applications for research funding.
• Be competent in self-evaluation of acquired skills and understand how these skills may be perceived by external peers.
• Develop a mature and meaningful Personal Development Plan (PDP) that will facilitate attainment of career objectives.
  

Student Support

Students accepted in the PhD program are provided full tuition, health and dental insurance, and a stipend of $38,110 per year for living expenses. Continued support is contingent upon satisfactory academic and research performance by the student. When a student enters a thesis lab, the thesis mentor assumes complete responsibility for the student’s stipend, benefits, tuition, fees, and associated research costs.