University of Cincinnati Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology: FAQ

Graduates of the program are awarded the MS (master of science) degree in physiology. The degree (and our institution) is fully accredited by the Ohio Board of Regents that oversees higher education in the State of Ohio.

Q: How does the UC master's program compare with similar programs at other institutions?

The master's program at UC is a one-year program that is similar to 'gap-year', 'glide-year', or special master's programs (SMPs) at several other institutions. View the program comparison table to compare costs and features. View the success rate table to view our students success rates at gaining acceptance to medical school.

Q: Can I attend this program part time?

No. The MS in physiology degree is offered only as a full-time (11-month) program.

Q: What are the costs of the master's program?

Tuition is subject to change each academic year. Tuition for academic year 2012�13 is $35,500 for in-state residents and $35,900 for out-of-state residents. Payments are due at the beginning of each semester in two equal installments. No tuition waivers are available from the Department or the University (tuition remission is not applicable). You should also expect the following additional expenses:

Application Fee: UC charges a non-refundable application fee of $140.
Books/syllabi: The estimated cost of books/syllabi is $400 for the year. All books can be purchased from the University Medical Bookstore and the book list will become available one week before classes begin.
Lab Fees: There is a $85 microscope rental fee for Microscopic Anatomy. In addition, each student must have an Ethernet+wireless-ready laptop for the course (a Windows 2000/XP laptop with ActiveX enabled is recommended but, if you have a Mac, we can help you set up Java for viewing images used in the course).
Miscellaneous Fees: Full-time UC students are required to pay a General Fee ($650 per semester in 2012–13) which includes the Campus Life Fee that provides, among other benefits, access to UC's brand new Campus Recreation Center. Students are also required to pay for Student Health Insurance ($902 per semester in 2012–13) unless the student demonstrates adequate existing coverage. Graduating students are required to pay a $35 graduation application fee.

Q: When should I apply to the master's program?

Applications will be accepted any time up to May 24 for entry to the class starting in the fall of the same year; however, we recommend that you apply as early as possible (we open in the application site in November each year for entry to the program the following fall).

Q: How do I apply?

Click on: Applying to the MS Program.

Q: When applying, can I submit my GRE scores in lieu of MCAT scores?

No. MCAT scores are required for entry to the master's program at UC. (If you apply before you have taken the MCAT, please forward your scores to our department as soon as possible, see instructions.) We no longer accept GRE scores in lieu of MCAT scores.

Q: Are applicants interviewed during the admissions process?

No. All admission decisions are based solely on the written materials and scores that are submitted as part of the application process.

Q: How many students are accepted to the program each year?

Our program routinely accepts 32 students.

Q: When will I find out if I am accepted into the program?

Applications are accepted until May 24, but applying earlier is a good idea. We review our first batch of applications starting mid-January and, based on the quality of applicants, we will start making some early decisions for admissions. These will include both early acceptances and early rejections. A large number of applicants will remain under active consideration until final decisions are made in late June.

Q: What is necessary to reserve a space in the program?

The acceptance letter will include a requirement that students return both a signed agreement to join the program and a deposit of $500. This deposit will be fully applied to the student's costs of the program during Fall Semester.

Q: What if I get accepted to medical school after I sign up for the master's program?

If we are able to fill the position that you vacate in the program prior to July 1, the deposit shall be returned in full. Thus it is to your advantage to tell us as quickly as possible if you won't be joining the program. If we are not able to fill the position, then the deposit becomes non-refundable.

Q: If accepted to UC's master's program, when do I begin school?

Orientation will be held during the second week of August. The first class (GMP I) begins the following week.

Q: Do I attend the same lectures and take the same labs as the medical students in each Block?

Yes. We limit to 32 the number of students in the master's program so that they can attend the same lectures as medical students (side-by-side) and can be assimilated into the small groups and labs that are part of those medical-school courses.

Q: How am I graded in medical school courses relative to medical students?

One of the key elements of the master's program is the ranking with the medical students matriculated in the medical courses (i.e., Fundamentals of Medical Science, Surface Anatomy, and the Endocrinology/Reproduction/GI system blocks). Specifically, in letters of recommendation we provide information relating to your performance relative to the medical class (if you would have earned an honors, a high pass, or a pass in each of these courses along with your "class rank" relative to that medical class). This information is obviously a very important component of your future application to medical school since it relates specifically to your potential success as a medical student.

Q: What are the minimum standards for graduation?

Students cannot graduate with a GPA below 3.0 (a B average) or with a 'fail', 'incomplete', or 'no grade' in a required course. Since this is a one-year program, there is no opportunity to re-take courses as a way of improving grades.

Q: Does the master's program provide shadowing opportunities?

Yes. We have a number of clinical faculty who regularly provide shadowing experiences for our MS students.

Q: When should students in the program apply to medical schools?

Students are encouraged to apply to medical school while still in the master's program. Students with strong credentials should even consider applying before starting classes in the fall. If you do submit an AMCAS application during the summer before starting the program, we highly recommend making every effort to complete as many secondaries as possible BEFORE school starts. Once classes begin, your workload will be substantial and writing quality secondary essays on the side will become very, very difficult. Secondary prompts rarely change from year to year, and can easily be found with a Google search; this lets you pre-write essays before receiving them, and even before submitting the AMCAS application itself. At the end of the first semester, GMP I, Fundamentals, and Surface Anatomy have been completed and that information can be transmitted in letters of recommendation. It should be noted that it is a UC College of Medicine policy that students in any master's program who are accepted at UC will be required to successfully complete the master's degree prior to starting medical school.

Q: How many students from UC's program are accepted into medical school?

Our success rates are similar to, or exceed, those reported by other special master's programs; please see our success rate table.

Q: What is the Mark A Snowdon Memorial Award?

The Mark A Snowdon Memorial Award is awarded annually to one or two MS in physiology students whose academic or research achievements best exemplify the scholarly efforts of our former friend and colleague. [Read more]

231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0576 | (513) 558-5636