Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics
Course Description
Laboratory Methods in Physiology introduces the first-year graduate student to research. The course uses common laboratory techniques to expose the student to some of the fundamental principles of physiology and other basic sciences. After a lecture and/or laboratory demonstration by the instructor, the student conducts a well-defined laboratory exercise and writes a report on the results. The student is also exposed to many of the concepts that will be covered in detail in lecture-based courses.
Systems Physiology provides the student with a basic understanding of the organ systems of the human body. Their functions, regulation and interactions are emphasized. Specifically, the objectives of the course are to describe the mechanisms that underlie the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, and endocrine systems of the body, and explain how these systems interact to maintain homeostasis of the whole body.
Physiology Seminar Series which showcases internationally acclaimed researchers provides the student with the most current information on a variety of interesting topics in physiology, as well as an introduction to state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation. Before the seminar, students are asked to become familiar with some of the speaker’s publications. The students take notes during the seminar and later submit a one-page report on the speaker’s presentation. The report should include the hypothesis that was tested, the techniques employed, the most important results obtained, and the conclusions that were drawn from the study.
Seminar Readings course is designed to complement the Physiology Seminar Series and provide a forum for the students to become familiar with some of the speaker’s publications. The readings course will examine the hypothesis that was tested, the techniques employed, the most important results obtained, and the conclusions that were drawn from the study and require that the students further develop skills in reading, analysis, integration of knowledge and oral presentation of original science articles and reviews.
Laboratory Rotations as an Introduction to Modern Physiological Research is designed to introduce the student to state-of-the-art research in physiology and is usually taken during the summer after the first-year of classes. Students will learn molecular, cellular and/or whole-animal research techniques, which will equip them with some of the skills to investigate the molecular, cellular and integrative functions of organ systems. The student will work in a specific laboratory, assisting in ongoing research or conducting a new project. Students sometimes decide to continue in the same laboratory for their master’s or doctoral project.
Advanced Topics (Topics in Physiology) courses consist of three research tracks (molecular, cellular, systems) and are designed with (a) appropriate contents for the student’s interests (with a potential dissertation in mind); (b) emphasis on depth (rather than breadth) of knowledge; (c) appropriate revisiting and utilization of relevant contents from first-year courses, at a greater depth; (d) development of skills in reading, analysis, integration of knowledge and presentation (both oral and written) of scientific problems. The main activity of the course will be directed reading of original science articles and reviews, developing critical thinking skills and problem solving processes.
Master’s Thesis provides advanced research training in a faculty member’s laboratory after a student has successfully passed a “preliminary” examination based on courses taken during the first-year of study and has been admitted to candidacy for a master’s degree. Students learn state-of-the-art research techniques that will allow them to investigate the molecular, cellular and/or integrative functions of organ systems. The student selects an advisory committee and then works in a faculty member’s laboratory, conducting his/her own research project. After completing the project, publishing the results in one or more articles and writing a thesis, the student presents a research seminar to the faculty and then defends the thesis before his/her committee. The master’s thesis describes the hypotheses tested, methods used and results obtained; moreover, the results are discussed in light of the hypotheses tested and the literature in that area.
Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy for the Ph.D. Degree is intended to ensure a level of training sufficient to move forward with the dissertation research. Both the written and oral components of the examination are intended to provide the student an opportunity to display his or her creativity, scientific maturity, and readiness to enter the final stages of the graduate experience. For the written part of the examination, the student usually chooses a topic for research grant proposal, which will likely be in the area of his/her doctoral research. It is the intent that a NIH Kirschstein – NRSA Individual Fellowship format be used so that the application can be submitted for competitive review.
Doctoral Dissertation provides the student with advanced research training in a faculty member’s laboratory. It is taken after a student has successfully passed a “qualifying” examination, which includes a written grant proposal and an oral exam, and has been admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree. Students learn molecular, cellular and/or whole-animal research techniques, which will equip them with some of the skills required to investigate the molecular, cellular and integrative functions of organ systems. The student selects a committee of faculty members to give advice and then works in a specific laboratory, conducting his/her own research project. After completing the project, publishing the results in one or more articles and writing a dissertation, which describes the hypotheses tested, methods used and results obtained, students present a research seminar to the faculty of the department and then defend their dissertation before their committee.
Supervised Teaching in Physiology gives the student experience in organizing and presenting lectures. The overall objective is to assist the student in developing the skills required to teach in any area of physiology. Under faculty supervision, the student will lead small group conferences for first-year medical students and may also present lectures in some departmental graduate courses.
Course Schedule for Ph.D. Students:
Most course work should be completed within the first two years of graduate training. The remaining years should be devoted to completion of a research project and doctoral dissertation. Students should plan on a minimum of four years to complete the degree program.
Summer (credits):
Lab Rotations (4), Writing Course (1), Seminar (1)
Year 1 Fall (choose 2*):
General Biochem* (4), Mol Bio/Biotec* (3), Microbio* (3), Biomedical Methods (3), Seminar (1)
Year 1 Spring (choose 2*):
Human Physio (3), Cell Biol* (3), Pharmacol* (3), Cell & Mol Immuno* (3), Seminar (1).
Summer:
Research (4) or Lab Rotation (4)
Year 2 Fall:
Research (3), Lab Rotation (optional) (3), Responsible Conduct (1), Adv Topics in Physiology (3), Statistics (3), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Year 2 Spring:
Research (3), Lab Rotation (optional) (3), Responsible Conduct (1), Adv Topics in Physiology (3), Statistics (3), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Summer:
Research (6), Qualifying Exam
Year 3 Fall:
Dissertation (9), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Year 3 Spring:
Dissertation (9), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Summer: Dissertation (6)
Year 4+:
Dissertation (9), Seminar (1), Readings (1- optional in last year)
Dissertation Defense
≥60 credits of course and research work
>24 credits of dissertation work
>84 total credits
Course Schedule for Master’s Students:
Most course work should be completed within the first year and a half of graduate training. The remaining years should be devoted to completion of the thesis research. The Master’s program of study and research is designed to be completed within 2 years.
Summer (credits):
Lab Rotations (4), Writing Course (1), Seminar (1)
Year 1 Fall:
General Biochem* (4), Mol Bio/Biotec* (3), Biomedical Methods (3), Seminar (1)
Year 1 Spring (choose 2*):
Human Physio (3), Cell Biol* (3), Pharmacol* (3), Cell & Mol Immuno* (3), Seminar (1).
Summer:
Research (6) or Lab Rotation (4), Seminar (1)
Year 2 Fall:
Research (3), Statistics (3), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Year 2 Spring:
Thesis (8), Responsible Conduct (1), Seminar (1), Readings (1)
Summer:
Thesis (6)
≥52 credits of course and research work
>14 credits of dissertation work
>66 total credits
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