During the first year, physiology graduate students study biochemistry and molecular biology as well as cellular and integrative physiology. To become familiar with the research opportunities offered by physiology department faculty, students participate in three laboratory rotations. Weekly seminars provide students with exposure to current research findings.
All students give seminars to obtain experience in the presentation of scientific material.
In the second year, physiology graduate students take advanced courses in physiology and other areas of biomedical science offered by departments such as Biochemistry, Cellular and Structural Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Medicine, and Pharmacology. These advanced courses provide the student with a well-rounded, interdisciplinary graduate education. After successful completion of the required courses and the qualifying examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. To complete the degree the student must satisfy all of the requirements of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and must successfully defend a dissertation describing an original research contribution to the field of Physiology. Students complete the dissertation under the guidance of a supervising professor and an advisory committee.