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Doctoral Program Highlights
The PhD program in Systems Biology and Physiology is focused on research
training, and includes opportunities for academic course work that supports
the development of each student's research competence and confidence. Research
in the program employs a wide range of classical and modern experimental
methods including molecular biology, electro physiology, genetic technology,
bioinformatics and functional genomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging
methods. Researchers work in the fields of cardiovascular, epithelial, pulmonary
and renal physiology, neurobiology, endocrinology, membrane biophysics,
and cellular signal transduction.
We bring students and faculty from a variety of different backgrounds and
expertise together so they can approach research questions using experimental,
theoretical, and computational approaches. In this way teams of researchers
help students discover new solutions to physiological questions.
Students are admitted to the doctoral program with a baccalaureate, or higher
degree. The PhD program develops independent research potential in its students.
A combination of introductory lab experiences, core and advanced courses,
seminars and journal clubs provide foundations on which to build a dissertation
research project. Prior to graduation, all students must publish their research
in major scientific journals. Students are provided financial support to
present their findings at national scientific meetings, and compete for
research fellowship awards. On average, students in this program finish
the PhD in about 5 years.
Requirements
The prospective student is required to have a baccalaureate degree from
an accredited undergraduate institution and a strong background in the sciences;
students are expected to have an overall GPA of at least 3.0, with particular
emphasis placed on having excellent performance in the advanced science
courses. Qualified students with specific deficiencies in their undergraduate
preparation will be guided to remedy these either before, or during the
early part of, their graduate education. All applicants are required to
take the general aptitude test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). An advanced
test (biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics or
physics) is strongly recommended.
Special requirements for international students
Students whose native language is other than English must demonstrate proficiency
in English by submitting scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) before they can be considered for admission. The minimum acceptable
TOEFL score is 68- internet based, 190-computer based and 520- paper based.
All international students will be required to pass either the Spoken English
exam (TSE) with a score of at least 50, or the Oral English Proficiency
Test (OEPT) administered by the University. Students who do not pass the
TSE exam before enrollment will be required to take English as a Second
Language course during autumn quarter of there first year before they take
the OEPT test in September. The OEPT may be retaken in February if necessary.
The OEPT or the TSE must be passed prior to enrollment for the second year.
www.ets.org.
Procedures
Interested students should first complete the on-line application at (www.grad.uc.edu),
fill out the personal statement, and pay the $40.00 application fee. Before
being considered, applicants must submit:
- An official transcript of all undergraduate and any graduate training.
- A completed application
- A personal statement describing their interest in graduate study
- Three letters of reference assessing the applicant’s academic ability
research potential and character.
- $40.00 application fee
Interview Process
When possible, applicants are invited to spend the day with students and
faculty. The interview provides an opportunity for the applicant to meet
the faculty and graduate students, see the program’s research facilities
and learn more about the training offered by the program. Interviews conducted
at this time will contribute significantly to the committee’s admission
decision.
Timing
Applications and all supporting documents are accepted at any time, but
first consideration is given to those submitted by February 1 for admission
beginning the following quarter.. All applications will be reviewed by the
Recruitment Committee. Offers of admission are generally made by April 1.
Students are encouraged to begin the program July 1,so that they can get
an early start in the research experience, but may start September 1 when
classes start. |
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