PSPHD - Physiological Sciences

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Coursework: Major Area of Study

The Graduate College mandates that 36 hours of coursework, exclusive of dissertation units, half of which must be graded, and must all be completed in the major subject area by all doctoral students.  This refers to courses in which regular grades (A/B/C or P) can be earned, and that are numbered at the 500 level or above.  18 Dissertation Units and 9 units (minimum) in a minor area of study are also required.

The courses listed below must be completed by all Physiological Sciences doctoral students to achieve at least 60 total units.

PSIO 503 Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 6 units, minimum grade required: A or B

PSY 510 Statistics Fundamentals, 3 units

PS 595B Scientific Writing, Presentation & Bioethics, 2 units

PSIO 603A Human Physiology, 6 units, minimum grade required: A or B

PSIO 696A Physiology Series, 1 unit taken for 4 semesters (4 units total)

PS 696C Physiology Student Forum, 1 unit taken for 3 semesters (3 units total)

PS 700 Research Methods In Physiology, 3 units taken twice (6 units total)

PS 900 Research, 12 units

PS 920 Dissertation, 18 units

Substitutions are allowed for Bioethics and Statistics courses. Students should speak with their mentor and program coordinator for suggested courses.  

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.

Students will select additional courses in consultation with their advisor or Dissertation Committee, with a goal of developing a study plan that is individually tailored to the student's particular interests and that will satisfy Graduate College requirements.

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 laboratory rotations, but most students register for three. The purpose of the laboratory rotation will vary with the individual needs and interests of the student, and a primary goal for successful completion of each rotation will be agreed upon between the student and the investigator. 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.

Students are required to take Ethics and Statistics, and may choose from a variety of options:

• Ethics Course (1 semester of an upper division course, 500 level or above); 2 units minimum

  • Scientific Writing Strategies, Skills and Ethics (PS 595b); 2 units.  Provide students with skills to write and communicate effectively for a variety of scientific audiences; including scientific journals, funding institutions, potential employers as well as administration in academia and industry.

  • OR

  • Survival Skills and Ethics (SLHS 649); 3 credits. Designed for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. It provides information and experiences that will aid in successful "survival" during the graduate-student years and those following graduation. Topics include effective speaking and writing, grantsmanship, mentoring, teaching, career options, among others. Discussion of ethical issues and resources is integrated across topics.

• Statistics Course (1 semester of an upper division course, 500 level or above); 3 units.  Suggested courses:  EPID 576a Biostatistics, Math 509C Statistics for Research, PHL 576 Biostatistics for Public Health, PSIO 575 Statistical Analysis.  PSY 507A, 507B, 507C Statistical Methods I, II, III. Other syllabi may be considered by the Program Committee for approval.

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 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

Typically, successful completion of the Doctoral program takes 4.5 to 5 years of study.

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).

With the input of their advisor, Doctoral students will also develop a minor area of study based upon the student's research goals or particular interests. The minor is satisfied with 9 units of relevant coursework, and must be completed before the student takes their Comprehensive Exams.

In addition, the Doctoral Program requires that each student complete a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 laboratory rotations within their first academic year. Furthermore, each Doctoral student must take a course in Ethics, take a course in Statistics, and complete a semester as a teaching assistant to gain experience as a teacher.

During their second academic year, Doctoral students form a Comprehensive Committee and, by the end of that academic year, they must pass their written and oral Comprehensive Exams based upon their coursework in the major and minor areas of study.

After a successful performance on the Comprehensive Exams, the Doctoral student will form a Dissertation Committee and complete their dissertation project to earn the Ph.D. degree.

Students are expected to attend local and national scientific meetings and work towards first author publications.

PSIO 696A Physiology Series, and PS 696C Physiology Student Forum, must be attended each semester in the program once required units have been completed.

With the input of their advisor, doctoral students will develop a minor area of study based upon the student's research goals or particular interests. The minor is satisfied with 9 units of relevant coursework.

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.