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Graduate Program

Program of Study
 
Ph.D.  The Department of Physiology offers graduate study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The number of students admitted to graduate study is kept small to ensure high-quality training, carefully tailored to meet students' particular needs based on their background, interests and capabilities. The research interests of the faculty are in the fields of neurobiology, endocrinology, stem cell physiology, membrane biophysics and cellular physiology of heart muscle and kidney.

When a student is accepted, an advisory committee of five faculty members is set up in accordance with the student's expressed interests. The department offers an intensive two-semester course in cellular and organ system physiology followed by an advanced practicum dealing with many specialized aspects of physiology.  There is ample opportunity for taking courses in other departments. Training includes course work and supervised research rotations that are designed to provide direct experience in physiological research. This portion of the program prepares the student for the Ph.D. qualifying examination, which consists of an original research proposal, based on the student's research experience and a knowledge of the current literature.  Review by the committee and other departmental members determines acceptance into Ph.D. candidacy. The membership of the advisory committee may be changed to match the student's developing research interests. Opportunities are presented for teaching of undergraduate and medical students. The atmosphere of the department is congenial and open, resulting in free exchange among graduate students, faculty members and postdoctoral fellows. The program of graduate studies is usually completed in five to six years.

MPhil.  Students are not admitted directly into the MPhil program in Physiology.  MPhil is a terminal degree given for students who complete all qualifications for a Ph.D. degree except for a doctoral dissertation.

Research Facilities

The Department of Physiology is well equipped for work in electrophysiology, dynamic imaging, neurochemistry, and molecular biology. It is an integral part of the University Health Sciences Center, which has a medical library, a computer center and facilities for clinical and animal research. Within the department, electronics and machine shops are available to the students and faculty.

Financial Aid

All students receive full tuition waivers. A departmental faculty member who agrees to sponsor a student may also provide support for the student through other sources. After the first year, financial assistance may be applied for in the form of fellowships from the NIH or NSF, as well as University of Utah competitive fellowships.

Cost of Study

Tuition and fees for graduate students are waived. Usually, a resident student's tuition is $2494 per academic year; and nonresident tuition is $7924 per academic year based on 12 credit hours per semester.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Salt Lake City is about the same as it is in other U.S. metropolitan areas of comparable size. The areas adjacent to the University are entirely residential, and boarding houses and apartments are readily available. The University maintains residence halls for single and married students. Housing fees for a single student are approximately $3420 per academic year. A two-bedroom unfurnished apartment for married students costs approximately $761 per month.

Student Group

In 2006-2007, of the 6,464 students enrolled in the Graduate School, about 400 were in the School of Medicine.

Location

Salt Lake City's symphony orchestra and dance companies are internationally known. The University Theatre produces a half-dozen professional grade plays each year, and touring companies and performers frequently come to the city. Opera and art also flourish, along with professional baseball, basketball and hockey. The nearby mountains and scenic canyons are especially attractive for outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, skiing, climbing, hunting and fishing. Nine national parks and many national monuments are all easily reached in one day from Salt Lake City.

The University

The University of Utah, founded in 1850, is the oldest state university west of the Mississippi River. The University is situated on a spacious 1,500-acre campus at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in the eastern section of Salt Lake City. The Department of Physiology is located in Research Park, near the University Health Sciences Center and the new student housing (site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Village). The Health Sciences Center includes the School of Medicine, University Hospital, Eccles Medical Sciences Library, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Health.

Applying

An applicant for admission to the Graduate School must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, based on all undergraduate work.  If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, a GPA will be calculated on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of the undergraduate work for admission consideration;
2. The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning;
3. Recommendation of the faculty in the college or department in which the applicant wishes to study.
4. Additional Department of Physiology admission criteria:
   GRE scores:
        Verbal reasoning:  >460
        Quantitative Reasoning:  >600
        Analytical Writing:  >4.3

These are minimum requirements only and do not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants are evaluated with respect to University and departmental requirements and with respect to the pool of available applicants.  International Admissions Officers determine if applicants with international degrees meet the Graduate School’s requirement of a recognized bachelor’s degree.

More information, including international requirements, deadlines and links to the online application, is available at the homepage for University of Utah Admissions:  http://www.sa.utah.edu/admiss/graduate.htm

In addition to college transcripts and GRE scores, applicants must also submit at least two letters of recommendation and a Personal Statement.  (Note: The GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and Personal Statement should be sent directly to the department, not the Graduate School.)

The University of Utah is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in all programs, activities, and employment.