Physiology and Biophysics, PhD

Program Overview

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Physiology and Biophysics, PhD

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics offers a program of study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy.

The broad interests of our faculty provide diverse research opportunities ranging from systems physiology, to translational cancer research and single molecule biophysics. Our goal is to instruct students in the use of quantitative methods to study complex physiological problems of relevance to human health and disease.

The Department’s principal areas of research specialization are:

• Ion channel and gap junction Biophysics, with emphasis on cardiology and vision
• Intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms in cancer and neurobiology
• Physiology at the cellular, organ, and intact animal levels with emphasis on transgenic models of disease
• Fluorescence microscopy with the largest concentrations of microscopy equipment at Stony Brook University

Our curriculum is based on a foundation in Human Physiology with additional advanced courses in Statistical Methods, Biochemistry and the physical chemistry of Biomembranes. Through elective coursework in Applied Mathematics, Genetics, Neurobiology or Journalism students can tailor their training to their career goals. Students from our program have gone on to careers in academic and industrial research, government service and law.

Program Requirements

To obtain the Ph.D in Physiology & Biophysics, students must successfully complete all required coursework. Within the course of laboratory rotations during the first year, students must obtain faculty sponsorship for their doctoral thesis research. By the end of the second year, students must complete their qualifying examination, which entails an oral defense of a research fellowship proposal on the topic of the student’s choosing. At the beginning of the third year, students are required to constitute their doctoral thesis examination committee containing at least one member from outside the Department. Advancement to candidacy is predicated on the successful presentation of the Thesis Proposal by the end of the third year. Once advanced to candidacy, students are expected to pursue a course of rigorous laboratory research. Successful completion of the degree program will entail a first-authored research publication in a peer-reviewed journal. All of these requirements are to be completed within seven years from the date of admission.

Curriculum

Year I

Fall

• HBY 530 - Cellular Physiology and Biophysics 1-3 credits
• HBY 501 - Physiology 4 credits
• HBY 570 - Student Journal Club 1 credit
• HBY 500 - Short Term Research Projects in Physiology and Biophysics 1-12 credits
• HBY 690 - Seminar in Physiology and Biophysics 0-1 credit

Spring

• HBY 570 - Student Journal Club 1 credit
• HBY 500 - Short Term Research Projects in Physiology and Biophysics 1-12 credits
• HBY 690 - Seminar in Physiology and Biophysics 0-1 credit
• HBY 561 - Statistical Analysis of Physiological Data 1 credit
• HBY 562 - Model-based Analysis of Physiological Data 1 credit
• GRD 500 - Ethics In Research

Year II

Fall

• MCB 520 - Graduate Biochemistry
• MCB 517 - Biomembranes
• HBY 591 - Physiology and Biophysics Research 1-12 credits

Spring

• HBY 591 - Physiology and Biophysics Research 1-12 credits
• HBY 570 - Student Journal Club 1 credit
• HBY 690 - Seminar in Physiology and Biophysics 0-1 credit

Note

An additional 12 credits of electives are taken at the student’s discretion during the first and second year.

Admissions

Application Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to The Ph.D program in Physiology & Biophysics are a Bachelor’s Degree with a Major in the Physical or Biological sciences. Successful applicants have a grade point average of 3.25/4.0 or higher for their undergraduate curriculum, with special emphasis on coursework within the major. Starting this application cycle, scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are no longer required for admission to our program, but a strong performance on the GRE will reflect positively on your application, if you think it’s necessary. Students for whom English is not their native language, must establish English proficiency based on the results of your TOEFL or IELTS examinations. Applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation that can speak to the student’s academic and research performance. Preference is given to students with previous research experience. Students who do not meet these qualifications are encouraged to seek admission to our Master’s program for additional preparation.