GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Physiology and Biophysics Graduate Program provides comprehensive training leading to the Ph.D. degree. This program has three tracks of study with emphasis on Cell and Molecular Physiology, Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, and Organ Systems Physiology. We also offer these courses to students in the M.D./Ph.D. track and provide training leading to a Master's degree in Physiology.The latter includes an extended program of study for research assistants affiliated with the Department. Whatever your career goals, you will embark on a new journey that is exciting, develops and stretches your abilities.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

The faculty has developed challenging courses of study aimed at providing students with all of the necessary tools to compete successfully for the best positions in the biomedical sciences. Our goal is to train skilled scientists who demonstrate integrity, think critically and communicate effectively. The trainers affiliated with the graduate program strongly believe that this is best achieved by partnerships between faculty mentors and individual students that are mutually beneficial. Faculty and students both prosper when students are treated as promising junior colleagues, deserving the best possible training environment where freedom of enquiry and expression is valued and encouraged. As such, faculty and students each have important obligations to advance their pathway as life-long scholars.

HALLMARKS OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

We believe that the success of a graduate student depends on everyone involved. This includes the Department and University Administrators, as well as the Training Faculty and, of course the Student him/her-self. Specific features of our graduate program that bring students and faculty together include the following (in rough chronological sequence):

• Individual Mentoring with the choice of courses and rotations by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Program Directors.
• Interactive Teaching concept with classes typically of less than 10 students.
• Developing communication skills by frequent in-class presentations
• Final presentation of rotation projects (Recknagel Symposium)
• Participation in Journal Clubs
• Meeting with world-renowned seminar speakers and visiting scientists
• Experience with writing an NIH Style Grant Application
• Bi-annual Retreat with extensive Social and Academic Program
• Six-monthly Committee Meetings with a group of Faculty to discuss research progress and in depth-mentoring
• Emphasis on achieving Recognition through Publications
• Coaching to obtain Positions in Academia or Industry

Admission to our graduate program will provide extensive opportunities for academic and personal growth, providing you with the skills in advance of a professional career.