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Research and Graduate Education

Curriculum for Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Ph.D. Research Training: Overview

Year 1

Integrated Core Curriculum

Year 2

Advanced Work in Chosen Training Program

Research

Teaching

Candidacy Examination

Years 3-5

Dissertation Research

Thesis Defense

During Year 1, all new graduate students in the Biomedical Sciences Interdisciplinary graduate programs matriculate in a common interdisciplinary core curriculum. This integrated first year allows students to build competence in key areas of contemporary science, gain exposure to the various training program options, meet potential thesis advisors, and form social connections with each other before having to select an advisor, training program, or research specialization.

Thus, the first year of the Ph.D. program is both undifferentiated and integrated to provide maximum flexibility. This enables students to select a training program that fits their goals. For students who had pre-selected a specific department upon application, this integrated first year gives them the opportunity to change programs at the end of Year 1 without disrupting their academic progress or their stipend support.

In the second semester of Year 1, students who already have clear research or program interests may customize their coursework by selecting from an array of program-specific electives. At the end of Year 1, students can select Cellular and Integrative Physiology, or one of the other program tracks, for their graduate research training.

Ph.D. training typically takes 4-5 years to complete. Stipend support and tuition waivers are provided for the duration of this training.

M.S. and M.D./Ph.D. Options

The M.S. degree is a two-year program that includes the integrated core curriculum. The Department also participates in a joint M.D./Ph.D. program. These students take the first two years of the medical curriculum, followed typically by three years of research for the Ph.D. degree, before returning to the M.D. program.

Curriculum: Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Element

Y1

Y2

Y3

Y4

Y5

Integrated Core Curriculum

Entrance to Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Journal Club and Weekly Seminar Series Attendance and Participation

 Departmental Colloquia Attendance and Participation

Advanced Required Coursework and Research

Advanced Elective Coursework

Teaching

Preliminary Examination and Oral Defense; Admission to Candidacy

 

Dissertation Research

Dissertation Preparation and Defense


Bernard Schreurs, Ph.D., Graduate Director
bschreurs@hsc.wvu.edu 
304-293-0497