Cell Biology and Physiology, Ph.D.

About this programme

The mission of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology is to provide students with a rigorous, individually tailored educational experience to prepare them for research and teaching careers in the biomedical sciences. This graduate program will provide a forum for graduate students to learn current concepts in modern cell biology and physiology and to develop the skills necessary to formulate sophisticated strategies for analysis of contemporary problems in cell biology and physiology. Based on a solid foundation of coursework in cell biology and physiology, students will further complement their training by selecting courses in bioinformatics/statistics, genetics, pharmacology, immunology, and/or biochemistry that best support and enhance their specific area of research interest. Dissertation research enables students to apply these tools to a problem of intellectual and biomedical interest. Students receive strong training in the scientific process and apply their skills to probe the mechanistic basis of biological problems at molecular, cellular, and systems levels. A strong emphasis will be placed on career development, such as oral and written presentation skills, and mentoring students in a way that enables them to explore the diverse job opportunities available to them in the post-graduate biomedical workforce. Graduates will be well prepared to continue their research careers in a number of academic disciplines.