PhD Program in Physiological Sciences

At the University of Arizona, the Graduate College sets the overall framework for the completion of the doctoral degree. Within these guidelines, the Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program establishes specific requirements and monitors student progress to ensure:

• Sufficient breadth of knowledge in Physiological Sciences
• Sufficient depth of knowledge in the students area of specialty
• Rigorous research training
• Training in career skills (writing, speaking, critical evaluation of the literature)
• Training in teaching skills

General Overview

Typically, successful completion of the PhD program takes 5 years of study. Doctoral students must complete a minimum of 63 units of graduate-level coursework; 36 major coursework (half of which must be graded), 18 units of dissertation, and 9 units in the student's selected minor area of study. The Physiological Sciences GIDP Doctoral learning objectives are the following:

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of physiology at the cellular, organ, and systems level
2. Critically analyze published research in his or her area of study to develop key investigative questions in physiology
3. Conduct original in-depth research on a significant physiological problem, as evident in presentation of research findings
4. Effectively communicate in written and oral form to defend research results in the scientific community

Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 (letter grade of B) or better to receive financial support and to be awarded a Ph.D. degree. All students in the Doctoral degree program are also expected to comply with the regulations of the Graduate College with respect to residence, credit hour requirements, and the qualifying and comprehensive examinations (please refer to the Graduate College Policies for more information). 

All students are also expected to complete and maintain updates to their GradPath forms throughout their degree path. GradPath is the Graduate College’s degree audit system that facilitates the tracking and monitoring of graduate student academic progress and important degree milestones. More information on GradPath including requirements, FAQs, and instructions can be found on the GradPath webpage on the Graduate College website. 

Major Coursework Outline

Part of the student's course requirements consist of the following courses, in which the student must attain a "B" letter grade or better:

• PSIO 503 - Cellular and Molecular Physiology  (6 units, Fall Semester only)
• PSIO 603A - Systems Physiology  (6 units, Spring semester only)
• PS 696C - Student Forum  (1 unit, taken each academic semester until graduation)
  • Student Forum is an opportunity for graduate students to give talks and receive peer evaluation from Physiology students and faculty to improve their public speaking skills. Ph.D. students are expected to attend each Student Forum and to present a minimum of two 20-30 minutes talks and one hour-long seminar over the course of their graduate careers.
• PSIO 696A - Physiology Seminar  (1 unit, taken each academic semester until graduation)
  • On alternative weeks to Student Forum, Doctoral students are required to attend the Department of Physiology Seminar, in which speakers are invited from on-campus and off-campus institutions to deliver seminars on subjects relevant to Physiology.
• Ethics requirement - (500-level or greater, 2 units minimum)
  • Suggested courses: PS 595B - Scientific Writing Strategies (2 units, Spring semester),  SLHS 694 - Survival Skills and Ethics (3 units, Spring semester)
• PSIO 697A, PSIO 697B - Teaching Workshop  (1 unit each semester as a TA, 2 semesters total)
• Upper Division Statistics - (500-level or greater, 3 units minimum)
  • Suggested Courses: PHL 576 - Biostatistics for Public Health, STAT 509- Statistics for Research, PSIO 575 - Statistical Analysis, PSY 507A Stastical Methods I, PSY 507B - Statistical Methods II,  507C - Statistical Methods III
• PS 700 - Laboratory Rotation  (3 units, must be taken at least twice)

Obtaining a B or better in PSIO 503 (Cellular and Molecular Physiology) and PSIO 603 (Systems Physiology) is considered the equivalent of passing the Graduate College's Qualifying Exams.

In some cases, certain program requirements may be waived or credits may be transferred if equivalent coursework has been completed previously. However, if a waiver or transfer of credits is desired, the student must submit a written petition to the Program Committee.

Laboratory Rotations

Participation in research, under the supervision and guidance of a faculty member, allows students to learn valuable skills, to gain experience in the research "process", and to organize and present research results in both written and oral formats.

Doctoral students are required to take a minimum of two and no more than four laboratory rotations. The laboratory rotation should provide an opportunity to become acquainted with the ongoing research of the laboratory and to be exposed to the important technical aspects of the work.

Laboratory rotations must be performed under the tutelage of any faculty member with an active appointment in the Physiological Sciences Graduate Program, and each rotation must be completed with a different faculty member. Laboratory rotations with faculty outside of the PS GIDP must be petitioned and approved by the Program Committee.

Sample PhD Career & Timeline

This table represents a sample career of a generic Doctoral student, and is subject to change depending on the study plan developed by the student.

Additional information and details on the PhD program can be found in the PS Student Handbook.