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Program of Study

The Graduate Program in Physiology & Pharmacology is one of six advanced graduate programs in the College of Medicine leading to the Ph.D. degree. These programs are offered under the auspices of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IDP) in Biomedical Sciences. The faculty associated with this advanced program have expertise in a variety of disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, and biochemistry, and bring together unique strengths to provide the students with diverse training. Students are offered broad opportunities to pursue various specialized fields of study. Specifically, students can receive training in laboratories involved in cardiovascular, neuro-, endocrine, and developmental physiology, pharmacology, and toxicology, conducting research at the molecular, cellular and integrative levels. Many of the faculty are involved in multidisciplinary, collaborative research efforts that are aimed at understanding basic physiological mechanisms and pathophysiological processes (e.g. cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic diseases).

During their first year in the IDP, students are enrolled in an interdisciplinary core curriculum of classroom study and laboratory rotations. This first year curriculum is required of all advanced graduate programs and provides exposure of the students to many of the College of Medicine faculty. At the end of the first year of study, students select an advanced program and a faculty mentor who will guide their dissertation research. Students entering the advanced program in Physiology and Pharmacology will take additional, more specialized courses which strengthen their knowledge of these disciplines. The advanced program curricula are flexible enough to allow the students to integrate coursework offered by other IDP advanced programs (i.e. Neuroscience, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology & Microbiology, and Molecular Cell Biology). Students also have access to courses and research training offered by other interdisciplinary programs, including Environmental Toxicology, Hypertension, and Neurobiology of Aging. The required classroom studies will be completed by the end of their second year, although opportunities to take optional, specialized courses in subsequent years are available. In addition, journal clubs and seminars associated with their research interests provide students further means to augment their scientific development. In summary, students entering the advanced program in Physiology and Pharmacology will be able to tailor their educational experience in order to meet their individual needs and interests.

Ph.D. candidacy is granted after successful completion of course work and defense of a dissertation research proposal. The dissertation research project is overseen by a committee made up of the supervisory faculty member and other graduate faculty. It is anticipated that the student will take 4-5 years to complete the necessary requirements leading to the Ph.D. degree.

Additional General Information

Correspondence and Information

NOTE:This contact is for detailed information on the Department, the Advanced Concentration, and its programs only. All inquiries concerning admissions must be directed to the IDP Recruting and Admissions office at idp@ufl.edu. More information on admissions is available on the IDP Admissions Page.

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Last Updated on 8/19/02
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