AND SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
PHYSIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
The graduate program in Physiology is jointly administered through the Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Biomedical Sciences. The faculty is comprised of members drawn from the Department of Biological Sciences and the Applied Physiology Laboratory of Kent State University's School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport, the Departments of Physiology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) and The University of Akron and Akron City Hospital. Graduate work may lead to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biological Sciences, with concentrations in Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology or in Environmental and Comparative Physiology, or to the M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, with concentrations in Cardiopulmonary Physiology or in Exercise Physiology. The programs are research-oriented and designed to provide the student with a thorough grounding in physiological principles and techniques as well as opportunities for specialization according to the expertise of the faculty. A major objective is to develop individuals competent in both research and teaching.
ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM
Admission to graduate work toward a physiology degree in Biological Sciences or in Biomedical Sciences will be recommended by the faculty of the appropriate program subcommittee, and the review of applications will be managed by the Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Biomedical Sciences, accordingly. In addition, a faculty member with whom the student wishes to work must agree to serve as advisor, and thus early contact between the applicant and a prospective advisor is encouraged. A successful applicant will be expected to have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (undergraduate and graduate) on a four point scale, to have completed mathematics through calculus, one year of physics, one year of organic chemistry, and coursework in the following areas: (a) genetics, (b) biochemistry or cell biology, (c) vertebrate anatomy, (d) histology, developmental anatomy, or embryology. A student may be admitted despite one or more deficiencies, but it will be necessary to make up the deficiencies prior to the candidacy examination. International students must provide TOEFL scores and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must also be submitted for evaluation although there is no minimum GRE score required for admission.
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION: Biological Sciences (waivers or substitutions must be approved by the student's Guidance Committee and the faculty of the program subcommittee)
1. Core of coursework
a. BSCI 5/70143 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3cr)
Must enroll concurrently in: BSCI 6/70144 Selected Readings in Eurkaryotic Cell Biology (1cr)
b. Basic Physiology
BSCI 5/70433 & 5/70434 Mammalian Physiology I & II (6 cr)
BSCI 5/70443 & 5/70444 Mammalian Physiology Laboratory I & II (2 cr)
The internal environment, metabolism and energy balance, temperature regulation, nervous system and special senses, the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and digestive systems.
c. Biochemistry - one course selected from the following:
CHEM 5/70247 Principles of Biochemistry (4 cr)
Introduction to biochemical principles, including chemistry and metabolism of biochemically important compounds, biological catalysts, and metabolic regulation.
BSCI 5/70142 Bioenergetics (3 cr)
Lecture and discussion of respiration and photosynthesis, their origin, development, and control in living systems. Concepts are introduced from fundamental principles.
d. Statistics
BSCI 6/70101 & 6/70102 Analysis of Biological Data I & II (5 cr)
2. Concentration Electives - student must complete 2 courses from option (a) or (b):
a. Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
BSCI 5/70432 Endocrinology (3 cr)
Principles of endocrine regulation of physiological and metabolic processes. Morphological and functional interrelationships among systems.
BSCI 6/70431 Neuroendocrinology (2 cr)
Role of the central nervous system in the regulation of hormonal and vegetative functions; structure-function relationships between brain and pituitary with modern views of neuroendocrine regulation. Methods for study of neuroendocrine relationships will be discussed.
BSCI 5/70435 & 5/70436 Reproductive Physiology of Mammals (4 cr)
Current concepts of reproductive processes based upon studies with laboratory and domestic animals and man. Anatomy and histology of the reproductive systems; research methods for studying reproductive processes.
b. Environmental and Comparative Physiology
BSCI 5/70437 Comparative Physiology (4 cr)
Comparative physiology of nervous, sensory, muscular, and digestive systems in animals and endocrine regulation in invertebrates; comparison of animal ionic and osmotic regulation, excretion, circulation, respiration and metabolism.
BSCI 5/70439 Environmental Physiology (4 cr)
Effects of heat, cold, oxygen, carbon dioxide, pressure, radiant energy, salt, and water variations, and other environmental factors on organisms.
BSCI 5/70174 Immunology (2 cr)
Survey of immunological system of man and animals, including both humoral and cellular immunological phenomena, immunochemistry, and immunological reactions.
3. General Electives - at least two courses will be selected from among the following list and those listed above (not otherwise used to meet core or concentration requirements):
BSCI 5/70143 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 cr)
BSCI 6/70440 Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology (3 cr)
BSCI 6/70461 Neurochemistry (2 cr)
BMS 6/70729 Neurophysiology (4 cr)
BMS 6/70550 & 6/70551 Medical Pharmacology I & II (6 cr)
BMS 6/70267 & 6/70268 Molecular Pathology I & II (6 cr)
4. Seminar. All students in both fields of concentration will be required to enroll in Seminar in Physiology (BSCI 6/70491) according to Department of Biological Sciences policy.
5. Additional Coursework may be required by the student's guidance committee in order to meet Program or Departmental requirements.
6. Teaching: The teaching of laboratories and, as appropriate, lecture courses is considered important in the training and development of doctoral candidates. Students should have this experience during their graduate career, including those on non-teaching scholarships or research assistantships for most of their tenure.
7. Professional Development: Candidates are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities beneficial to their professional development. These include membership in professional organizations; attendance at meetings, and when appropriate, presentation of research results; familiarity with the relevant literature; and other activities available during their graduate career.
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION: Biomedical Sciences (waivers or substitutions must be approved by the Director).
1. School of Biomedical Sciences Core (Waivers or substitutions must be approved by the Director)
a. BSCI 5/70143 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 cr)
Current study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, including recent advances in research technology. Must enroll concurrently in:
BSCI 6/70144 Selected Readings in Eukaryotic Cell Biology (1 cr)
b. General Biochemistry (one of the following)
CHEM 5/70247 Principles of Biochemistry (4 cr)
Introduction to biochemical principles, including chemistry and metabolism of biochemically important compounds, biological catalysts, and metabolic regulation.
BSCI 5/70142 Bioenergetics (3 cr)
Lecture and discussion of respiration and photosynthesis, their origin, development, and control in living systems. Concepts are introduced from fundamental principles.
BMS 6/70267 & 6/70268 Molecular Pathology I & II (6 cr)
Biochemical principles will be applied to explain the mechanism of human diseases in terms of defects in molecular structures and metabolic pathways. Prerequisite: CHEM 50245 or 5/70247.
c. Quantitative Methods and Statistics:
BSCI 6/70101 & 6/70102 Analysis of Biol. Data I & II (5 cr total) or
PSYC 6/71651 Statistical Inference in Psychology (3 cr) or
ANTH 69637/BMS 78637 Analysis of BioAnthropological Data I (5 cr) or
ANTH 69638/BMS 78638 Analysis of BioAnthropological Data II (3 cr) or
ELS 63050, 63051 & 6/73052 Research Processes in Physical Education; Quantitative Methods in Physical Education; and Advanced Research Design and Statistics in Physical Education (7 cr)
Equivalent course approved by Director.
d. Seminar
BMS 6/70791 Seminar in Physiology (1 cr)
e. Professional Development
BSCI 6/70194 College Teaching in Biology (1 cr)
2. Physiology Core
a. Basic Physiology - student must complete one of the following:
BMS 6/70449 & 6/70450 Medical Physiology I & II (7 cr)
Biophysical and biochemical concepts of integrative organ system physiology in the human.
BSCI 5/70433 & 5/70434 Mammalian Physiology I & II (6 cr)
BSCI 5/70444 & 5/70445 Mammalian Physiology Laboratory I & II (2 cr)
The internal environment, metabolism and energy balance, temperature regulation, nervous system and special senses, the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and digestive systems.
3. Concentration Electives - student must complete two courses from either option (a) or (b):
a. Cardiopulmonary Physiology
BMS 6/70451 Microcirculation (2 cr)
Theory and practical application of current techniques to evaluate fluid and solute exchange across the microvascular wall.
BMS 6/70452 Pulmonary Physiology (2 cr)
Relationship between structure and function of the lung with focus on: mechanics, circulation, gas exchange, gas transport, acid/base regulation, host-defense, ventilation-perfusion.
BMS 6/70429 Neurophysiology (4 cr)
The relation of aspects of the neurosciences to the fundamental properties of nervous tissue, establishing a firm base in experimental neurobiology.
b. Exercise Physiology
ELS 6/75081 Energy Metabolism and Body Composition (3 cr) Measurement of metabolic response to exercise. Topics include ergometry, spirometry, energy expenditure, body composition, and performance correlates of strength, power, and endurance.
ELS 6/75082 Cardio-Respiratory Function During Exercise (3 CR)
Measurement of the cardiovascular-respiratory response to exercise. Includes resting spirometry, lung function during exercise, electrocardiography, blood pressure, PWC testing and exercise prescription.
3. General Electives may include courses listed above not selected, other pertinent courswork at a consortial institution not otherwise selected, and/or the following as appropriate to the student's interests and objectives::
BMS 6/70550 & 6/70551 Medical Pharmacology I & II (6 cr)
BMS 6/70710 Functional Neuroanatomy (6 cr)
BSCI 6/70461 Neurochemistry (2 cr)
BSCI 5/70174 Immunology (2 cr)
ELS 75004 Biomechanics (3 cr)
ELS 75083 Exercise Energy Metabolism (3 cr)
ELS 75084 Cardiovascular-Respiratory Dynamics in Exercise (3 cr)
ELS 75085 Anthropometry and Body Comp. in the Exercise Sciences (3 cr)
ELS 75086 Muscle Function and Exercise (3 cr)
ELS 75087 Environmental Stress and Exercise (3 cr)
4. Seminar. All students are required to register for seminars appropriate to their field of interest for a minimum of three semesters.
5. Additional coursework may be required by the student's guidance committee in order to meet Program or Departmental requirements.
6. Teaching: The teaching of laboratories and, as appropriate, lecture courses is considered important in the training and development of doctoral candidates. Students should have this experience during their graduate career, including those on non-teaching scholarships or research assistantships for most of their tenure.
7. Professional Development: Candidates are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities beneficial to their professional development. These include membership in professional organizations; attendance at meetings, and when appropriate, presentation of research results; familiarity with the relevant literature; and other activities available during their graduate career.