Physiology is an integrative science, bringing together diverse disciplines in an effort to understand the functioning of living organisms. It seeks to identify the mechanisms by which an organism maintains the processes we regard as characteristic of life. Physiological investigations of these mechanisms range from the molecular level to studies of intact animals and human subjects. More and more, departments of physiology are using the latest tools of cellular and molecular biology to study these problems. Our own Department is particularly interested in seeking answers to questions in certain broad categories:

• What are the functions of cell membranes, and how are these functions controlled?
• How are messages sent from the outside to the interior of a cell, from one cell to another?
• How do groups of different cells coordinate their separate activities to develop and function as an integrated tissue organ?
• How is a process as complicated as the development of the mammalian embryo regulated and integrated?

The Department of Physiology accepts students for graduate study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Department before admission. Candidates for the degree of Master of Arts in Physiology are not accepted.

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Physiology

In general, students must complete successfully the following basic science courses, given by the School of Medicine:

1. First Year
   
   Courses: Biochemical and Biophysical Principles, Macromolecular Structure and Analysis, Current Physiology, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Genetics, Bioinfomatics, Pathways and Regulation, Cell Structure and Dynamics, Physiology, Research, Primary Source Readings and Analysis.
   
   Rotations: Three laboratory rotations of 10 weeks each (on average).
   
   

2. Second Year
   
   In the second academic year, the only required course is Research. In addition, students have the opportunity to begin taking elective courses. Student must complete 4 credits of elective courses other than "Research." These additional courses are selected in accordance with the student's particular needs. However, we strongly encourage one or more of the following electives: Bio-Organic Mechanisms (2nd quarter) Immunology and Microbiology (2nd quarter) Neuroscience (3rd quarter) Organ Histology (4th quarter).

Examinations

Aside from regular course examinations, candidates are required to take and pass the following:

• Graduate Board Oral Examination Given by a committee appointed by the University, this examination will aim at testing the candidate's knowledge of physiology and related sciences, critical sense, and ability to formulate an original, interesting, and appropriate research problem.

• Final Examination and Defense of Thesis This examination will be given by faculty inside and outside the Department, appointed by the Director of the Graduate Program of the Department. Following this exam, students will be invited to present their thesis work at an open seminar.