PHD, Integrative Physiology & Pharmacology

Degree Program Summary:

A primary objective of a graduate program is to train the student to perform effective, independent research. The essence of research is problem solving and, therefore, you must learn to precisely define the problem, design meaningful experiments to test a proposed hypothesis, conduct experiments and collect data in a careful and precise manner, analyze and evaluate collected data, and finally, draw logical conclusions from the research data. Research skills and problem solving ability will be acquired only in the laboratory by dedicated work and long hours of effort. The student should anticipate spending the usual 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours of the work week in the laboratory (if not attending classes or fulfilling departmental teaching assignments) and additional evening and weekend work in the laboratory is commonplace as well. This effort will be rewarded by the acquisition of skills that are unattainable from course work or library studies.

Degree Awarded: PHD

Degree Code: PHD_INPH

The objective of this program is to provide students with the tools to conduct original research in some aspect of physiology or pharmacology, including the interdisciplinary fields of neuroscience, or toxicology. These tools are provided with an intensive experience in the research laboratories, supplemented with academic instruction (course work, study of current literature, seminars). Each student’s program is tailored to meet this objective and to attain a high level of competency in his/her field. Having completed the requirements for the advanced degree, each student should be prepared for a career in research and/or teaching.