This program is jointly sponsored by the UMDNJ-Graduate School of
Biomedical Sciences and the Graduate School-New Brunswick of Rutgers
University. The program is designed to provide training at the
interface of genomics, cell biology, and organismal physiology.
Specific topics include molecular endocrinology, cardiovascular
research, cancer biology, membrane structure and signal trans- duction,
and the physiological bases of diseases.
Students will enter
the physiology and integrative biology program by applying to the
Consolidated Programs in Molecular Biosciences, and will receive their
degrees from both UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the
Graduate School-New Brunswick of Rutgers University. Most students will
receive a full tuition waiver, a stipend, and health benefits for the
duration of their studies.
Direct admission to the program
will also be considered for students with an advanced background (e.g.,
students transferring from other universities with advanced courses or
an M.S. degree). In such cases, certain credit hours can be transferred
toward the graduate degree. In addition, a program leading to a master
of science in physiology and integrative biology is offered to meet the
needs of students with particular interests. This master's program
offers an excellent foundation for future careers in the biomedical
professions or in academic or pharmaceutical research. The master`s
program includes one year of advanced course work and hands-on
laboratory experience, followed by a year of intensive laboratory
investigation in a mentored environment with a final written thesis.
A minimum of 72 credits will be required for the Ph.D. degree, of which
at least 32 credits must come from formal course work and at least 24
credits must come from thesis research. All required courses, including
the core curriculum in the molecular biosciences program and elective
courses, offered in the physiology and integrative biology program,
must be passed with a grade of B or better.
The qualifying
examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree will
consist of two parts: a written exam given at the end of the first
year, and an oral exam to be given before the end of the student`s
second year in the program. The written exam will be based on the
material studied in the required core courses of the first year and on
a selection of journal articles provided to the students before the
exam. The oral exam will consist of a formal written proposal of a
project that may or may not be related to the student's thesis
research.
Students may also participate in the M.D./Ph.D.
program. Such students will be expected to choose a laboratory and
research sponsor during the second year of medical school, and begin
full time Ph.D. work in the following summer.