Courses in Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Prerequisite Course Recommendations:
All Ph.D. and M.S. students entering the Graduate Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology are expected to have taken undergraduate-level courses in Cell Physiology and Systems Physiology, including laboratory experience. The background of each entering student will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Field to identify deficiencies. The results of this review will be transmitted to the Field-Appointed Member, along with titles of courses that could be taken to remedy the deficiencies. A student may satisfy the recommendation by satisfactorily serving as a Teaching Assistant in the appropriate course.

The degree requirements of the Graduate School, which administers the policies of the Graduate Faculty of the University, are kept to a minimum in order to give the student and the Special Committee freedom to develop a program of study to meet the student's particular goals. Specific requirements for credits, courses or grades are not imposed by the Graduate School for the students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. However, grades of C+ and lower are not generally considered to constitute satisfactory progress at the graduate level.

Graduate Course Recommendations:
The course program will be formulated by the student and the Special Committee. However, the Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology recommends that students take the following courses to acquaint themselves with various important aspects of the field.

• Students should take a course for depth of understanding of systems or cell physiology. This course should be chosen from a list made available by the Director of Graduate Studies. An example is BIOAP 458 (Mammalian Physiology).
• Students should take a course that stresses methods. Familiarity with methods of experimentation and an understanding of techniques available for addressing questions in the physiological sciences are required of our graduates. All students should take a course stressing method. Examples are: BioAP 416 (Cell Physiology and Genomics Laboratory), ANSCI 650 (Molecular Techniques for Animal Biologists), BIOG 403 (Transmission Electron Microscopy for Biologists), and VETMM 470 (Biophysical Methods). This recommendation can also be met by an organized rotation through two or more research laboratories where technique is stressed.
• Students should gain awareness of the current state of knowledge in diverse areas of physiology by completing at least one (MS students) or two (PhD students) 600-700 level courses(at least one credit hour per course) chosen from those offered by Members of the Field, or others approved by their Special Committee.

Recommendations for a Minor in Physiology:
It is recommended that students in other Graduate Fields who wish to complete a minor in Physiology follow the course recommendations for M.S. students in Physiology.

Physiolology Graduate Student Seminar
The Graduate Students in the Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology meet weekly during the academic year. Attendance and participation is required for all majors during all semesters in residence --BIOAP 720 (Animal Physiology and Anatomy Seminar). In these seminars, students present their research project to their peers. Guest speakers are brought in to discuss topics of importance to the graduate students.

Students who wish to may get course credit for the seminar series by registering for BIOAP 720 (Animal Physiology and Anatomy Seminar).