What is Systems Biology?

Systems Biology is the study of mechanisms underlying complex biological processes. Typically, these studies link mathematical and computational modeling to experimental validations. For more on Systems Biology, see the excellent summary by James Ferrell (PDF).

Our graduate program is "Systems Biology and Physiology". As the name suggests, training is available in both Systems Biology and in traditional Physiology. Students who choose Systems Biology or Bioinformatics as a focus often have backgrounds in computation or computer science, but this training is also available within our program. Other students here focus entirely on traditional Physiology, and some choose projects that involve both Systems Biology and Physiology. Our large program faculty provides depth in all of these areas. Collaborations among faculty and students with complementary skills are commonplace.