| |  | | Cellular and Integrative Physiology | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Cellular and Integrative Physiology
Program, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota,
6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-9178;
fax 612-625-5149; physio@umn.edu; http://physiology.med.umn.edu/grad/gc_iidx.htm).
Additional information concerning the Duluth campus (master's program) is available
by contacting the Associate Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Physiology
and Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 308 & 345 School of Medicine,
1035 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812 (218-726-7934; phsl@d.umn.edu; www.catalogs.umn.edu/umd/colleges/146.html).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below,
please read the General Information section
of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply
to all major fields.
Curriculum—Physiology may be defined
as the application of mathematics, physics, and chemistry
to the study of structure and function in living systems.
As such, physiology is a "hybrid" field in which
expertise from many other disciplines is ordinarily required
and combined.
The program emphasizes a quantitative approach to understanding the functions of cells, organs, and systems in living animals. Ph.D. students take a core concentration that provides a broad background in the physiology of membranes, cells, transport, and organ systems. Individualized programs are structured to build on the student's strengths and to fill in gaps that would otherwise be an impediment to specific problem solving. Teaching experience is also available to all students.
Areas of specialization include cardiovascular, respiratory, membrane and transport processes, cell physiology, and to a limited extent, exercise, gastrointestinal physiology, and endocrinology.
Students enter the M.S. program from one of two sites. On the Duluth campus, students can enroll in coursework and participate in research in several basic areas. Students may pursue studies in muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine physiology, as well as in membrane transport, temperature regulation, and several areas of neuroscience.
In addition, the Twin Cities campus has a special masters program that focuses on training people working in various biotechnology, biomedical, and bioengineering companies in the Twin Cities area. Such individuals working on relevant physiological projects may benefit from this formal training. The curriculum can be blended into a part-time graduate program, allowing continued employment while working for the M.S. degree.
Students enter the Ph.D. program only from the Twin Cities campus; although a Ph.D. may be pursued on the Duluth campus in some circumstances. Highly qualified individuals with solid quantitative backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This includes people with previous medical training who are already at the University of Minnesota or are considering the University of Minnesota Medical School for residency or fellowship training, as well as people already affiliated with physiology graduate faculty such as appropriate undergraduate students or others working in a graduate faculty member's laboratory.
Entering Ph.D. students are expected to take a series of laboratory rotations to familiarize themselves with active areas of research within the degree program. The program includes faculty and corresponding research laboratories from the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and also the Departments of Medicine; Surgery; Neuroscience; Neurosurgery; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics; Pharmacology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Kinesiology; and Animal Science.
Prerequisites for Admission—For the major, an undergraduate degree with at least one year (three quarters or two semesters) of calculus, one year of physics, one year of biology, and two years of chemistry is required. For the minor, a background in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology acceptable to the graduate faculty is required.
Special Application Requirements—For the M.S. and Ph.D., applicants must take either the General Test of the GRE or the Medical College Admission Test. In addition, all applicants need three letters of recommendation. Admission can be in either fall or spring semester.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Refer to Physiology (PHSL) in University Courses for courses pertaining to the program.
Use of 4xxx Courses—Inclusion of 4xxx courses on degree program forms is subject to both adviser and director of graduate studies approval. |
M.S. Degree Requirements | | Duluth
campus—All course requirements for the M.S. degree can be completed on the Duluth campus. Students are expected to fulfill all degree requirements over a period of two to three calendar years. The program includes at least 20 credits in physiology and 6 credits in a minor or related field of study. Incoming students are encouraged to undertake at least two laboratory rotations in faculty research laboratories of their choice. Fulfillment of degree requirements also includes the presentation and defense of a thesis (Plan A). The final written examination and oral defense of the thesis takes place with participation of faculty from both campuses.
Twin Cities campus—A degree for individuals involved in research and employed at local companies requires 14 credits in physiology and 6 credits outside of physiology. The degree is based on laboratory research off or on campus, and requires a written thesis or written project and an oral presentation of the work for the final exam. The M.S. degree is Plan A, unless there are special circumstances requiring a Plan B. For Plan B, the final exam is oral.
Language Requirements—None.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—A minimum of 6 graduate credits in physiology is required. | Ph.D. Degree Requirements | The Ph.D. program requires courses in medical physiology and human neuroscience. No other specific courses are required, although some graduate level courses in cellular or molecular biology must be completed. The coursework is tailored to the student's interests with input from the director of graduate studies and the adviser. During the first year, students rotate through three laboratories, pick an adviser, and begin a research project. A preliminary written exam in physiology and neuroscience is taken before the preliminary oral exam. The preliminary oral exam is given to test the student's ability to apply principles of both physiology and the minor or supporting program to a proposed research based thesis. A minimum of 12 credits must be completed in the minor field or supporting program.
Language Requirements—None.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—Ph.D. students are expected to take PHSL 5101 or the equivalent plus additional courses for a total of 12 credits. |
Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Regents Professor
Robert P. Hebbel, Medicine, ASM
Professor
Mustafa N. Al'Absi, Medical School Duluth, AM2
David A. Bernlohr, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, ASM
Peter B. Bitterman, Medicine, ASM
Frank B. Cerra, Surgery, ASM
William C. Engeland, Surgery, ASM
John E. Foker, Surgery, ASM
Goran B. Hellekant, Medical School Duluth, SM
Lois J. Heller, Medical School Duluth, SM
Paul A. Iaizzo, Surgery, SM
David H. Ingbar, Medicine, SM
Arthur S. Leon, Kinesiology, ASM
David G. Levitt, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
Walter C. Low, Neurosurgery, SM
Scott M. O'Grady, Animal Science, SM
John W. Osborn, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
Doris A. Taylor, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
Gerald W. Timm, Urologic Surgery, ASM
O. Douglas Wangensteen, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
Jianyi Zhang, Medicine, ASM
Adjunct Professor
Victor S. Koscheyev, SM
Associate Professor
W. Dale Branton, Neuroscience, ASM
Janet L. Fitzakerley, Medical School Duluth, M2
Jurgen F. Fohlmeister, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
Stephen A. Katz, Integrative Biology and Physiology, SM
David E. Mohrman, Medical School Duluth, M2
Edward K. Stauffer, Medical School Duluth, M2
LaDora V. Thompson, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, SM
Lorentz E. Wittmers, Jr., Medical School Duluth, SM
Kathleen R. Zahs, Integrative Biology and Physiology, M2
Assistant Professor
Vincent A. Barnett, Integrative Biology and Physiology, M2
Glenn H. Nordehn, Medical School Duluth, AM2
Anthony J. Weinhaus, Integrative Biology and Physiology, M2
Lecturer
Lisa Carney Anderson, Integrative Biology and Physiology, AM | | | | | |
