Program Overview

Department of Cell Biology and Physiology

The Department of Cell Biology and Physiology offers various graduate programs, including the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS) and advanced graduate courses.

Graduate Programs

• Cell Biology & Anatomy
• Molecular & Integrative Physiology
  • Structure of Program
  • How to Apply
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Current Graduate Students
  • Curriculum
• Neuroscience Program

IGPBS Courses

• IGPBS Module 6: BioGraphics (IGPBS 896, 1 hour): Teaches students how to organize and present data in a clear and concise manner at national meetings.
• IGPBS Module 7: Research Rotations (IGPBS 897, 2-4 hours): Introduces students to research methods, experimental design, and biomedical research conducted at KUMC.
• IGPBS Module 8: Introduction to Faculty Research (IGPBS 898, 1 hour): Provides students with an introduction to the research conducted at KUMC through a seminar series.
• GSMC 850: Proteins and Metabolism (2 hours): Covers basic principles of metabolism, protein structure, and an introduction to nucleic acids.
• GSMC 851: Molecular Genetics (2 hours): Covers basic principles of molecular genetics, DNA replication, DNA repair, transcription, and translation.
• GSMC 852: Introduction to Biomedical Research (2 hours): Discusses research problems, methods, and current literature in biomedical sciences.
• GSMC 853: Cellular Structure (2 hours): Covers basic principles of cellular structure and function, including the lipid bilayer, membrane proteins, and cellular organelles.
• GSMC 854: Cell Communication (2 hours): Covers basic principles of cell communication, including G-protein-coupled signaling, cellular cytoskeleton, cell cycle control, cell death, extracellular matrix, and cancer.
• GSMC 855: Introduction to Biomedical Research II (2 hours): Continues the discussion of research problems, methods, and current literature in biomedical sciences.
• GSMC 856: Introduction to Research Ethics (1 hour): Introduces students to research ethics, including sources of errors in science, scientific fraud, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality.

Advanced Graduate Courses

• PHSL 821: Human Physiology I (3 hours): Explores human physiology and pathophysiology, focusing on the function of muscle and the nervous system.
• PHSL 822: Human Physiology II (3 hours): Examines the anatomy, histology, and cellular physiology of organ systems, focusing on hematology and the cardiovascular and renal systems.
• PHSL 823: Human Physiology III (2 hours): Covers the respiratory and digestive systems and their roles in regulating metabolism.
• PHSL 824: Human Physiology IV (2 hours): Focuses on the endocrine and reproductive systems.
• PHSL 834: Reproductive Physiology (5 hours): Covers all aspects of reproductive physiology, including ovarian and testicular development, neuroendocrine development, implantation, placentation, puberty, pregnancy, and fertility regulation.
• PHSL 835: Integrative Physiology of Exercise (3 hours): Examines how the major physiological systems of the body respond to exercise, emphasizing integration and function.
• PHSL 838: Advanced Topics (1-3 hours): Special studies designed and arranged on an individual basis to allow students to pursue a particular subject through reading, special laboratory work, and conferences with a senior staff member.
• PHSL 840: Advanced Genetic Analysis (3 hours): Focuses on principles that underlie genetic analysis, including mutation, complementation, recombination, segregation, and regulation.
• PHSL 844: Neurophysiology (3 hours): Covers neural mechanisms of motor control, emphasizing primates.
• PHSL 846: Advanced Neuroscience (5 hours): Team-taught, in-depth neuroscience course focusing on normal and diseased brain function at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels.
• PHSL 847: Developmental Neurobiology (2 hours): Covers the development of the nervous system from early induction to the development of learning and memory.
• PHSL 848: Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Disorders (2 hours): Examines pathogenic mechanisms in neurological diseases, including cellular and molecular responses to brain injury and disease.
• PHSL 850: Research (1-10 hours): Original laboratory investigation conducted under the supervision of a senior staff member.
• PHSL 851: Seminar (1 hour): Student participation in weekly Departmental seminar series, with topics dictated by the interests of students and staff.
• PHSL 999: Doctoral Dissertation (1-10 hours): Preparation of the Dissertation based on original research and in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree.