Department of Physiology @ Michigan State University

Graduate Programs > Ph.D. program

The primary objectives of the doctoral program are to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of integrative, systemic, cell, and molecular physiology, to prepare him/her for independent research and to provide scholarly experience in one of the specialized areas of physiology.

Admission

Entry into the Ph.D. Program

Students are not considered to have Ph.D. program status unless the have:

selected a major advisor, and,
earned 30 semester graduate credits or eared a Master's degree or professional degree (D.V.M., D.O., M.D, etc) or passed the departmental Conprehensive Examination.

Prior to acquiring this status, the University considers the student to have M.S. program status. The Graduate Affairs Committee shall have responsibility for approving entry of students into Ph.D. program status.

Major Advisor

Students are strongly urged to select a major adviser by the end of their second semester of study. If a major adviser has not been selected by the end of the first year, he/she will be directed to investigate additional opportunities within the department or to withdraw from graduate training in the program.

Guidance Committee

The student and major adviser will arrange for the selection and first meeting of the student's Guidance Committee whose central role is to guide the conception, completion, and reporting of the student's research. The Guidance Committee and the student shall jointly design the student's course of academic study. The Guidance Committee shall administer the Comprehensive Examination. The Ph.D. Guidance Committee will consist of the major adviser and at least four other faculty. At least one member of the Guidance Committee shall be chosen from outside the Department of Physiology and represent a discipline closely related to the student's field of specialization. The Ph.D. committee will outline at their first meeting at least a tentative program and establish target dates for each phase of training. Any member of the committee or any other member of the faculty in the department is available to any student for counsel or guidance throughout his/her graduate career. It is strongly suggested that the Guidance Committee be formed by the end of the second semester of the second year.

Following the first meeting and filing of the Guidance Committee Report, each student's Guidance Committee is expected to meet and file a report annually, on the progress of the student. The yearly progress report should consist of the following format:

Brief introduction; include in this section the specific aims in the origional thesis proposal.
Results and discussion: This section should include an update on all progress toward the completion of the specific aims. If there has been a change in the aims or direction of investigation, this change should be well described. This section should also include a statement of the percentage of progress on the aims (original/revised).
Future studies/timetable. This section should briefly indicate the studies that are left to be done and the anticipated timetable for their completion.
List all manuscripts submitted, papers in press/published; abstracts submitted/ presented.
Have this progress report to the thesis guidance committee seven days before the annual committee meeting.

At the meeting, the student should plan to give a brief (~30 min.) oral summation of the progress report. The major advisor is required to provide a written summary of the yearly meeting using the form in Appendix E-1. The written summary is to be signed by the committee members and the student. Copies are to be distributed to the student, mentor, committee members and the student's file.

Principles of Biological Experimentation. The faculty recognizes a body of knowledge fundamental to all biological experimentation and essential to the academic development of the candidate. The Guidance Committee should make some provision for the student's acquisition of these principles. Such training, which may be formal course work or other experiences, should be devoted to:

The design of the experiments which contain proper controls, isolation of variables and appropriate statistical tests:
The collection of data as limited by methodology:
Physiology and physiological description of the total environment of experiments (i.e., the relationship of the phenomenon under study to the whole organism). This is often achieved through the use of appropriate diagrams ("models") of the experiment as it relates to other organ systems. The attainment of a satisfactory understanding of factors which influence compensated versus uncompensated deviations from normality, of stable versus unstable systems, and the factors which limit physiological functions is implied by this statement.
The use of drugs or other agents as valid tools for investigation of a physiological problem.

Guidance Committee Report

Although a student may be admitted to the graduate program, a binding program of courses and examinations between the student and the university which could lead to the Ph.D. is not established until the Guidance Committee Report is approved by the student's Guidance Committee, reviewed by the Graduate Affairs Committee to assure that all requirements are met, signed by department chairperson and filed with the Graduate School. This report, which includes a statement of the student's proposed program, with a timetable and tentative dissertation topic, must be filed in the office of the dean of the student's college and with the Graduate School by the end of the second semester of the second year.

Course requirements

Formal Course Work

No specific number of course credits is required by the university. Approximately 22 semester academic credits (excluding 24 semester PSL 999 research credits) is considered to be the average amount necessary to proceed from a Baccalaureate to a Ph.D. degree. Course requirements are determined by the Guidance Committee in consultation with the student. The program of study will be based upon the needs of the individual student, taking into account previous academic background, research interests, and professional goals. Selection of courses should reflect the student's need for breadth of knowledge in physiology and depth of knowledge in the field of specialization. Refer to Section II.D. (Academic Standards) for more information on department grading policy for 800 and 900 level courses.

Required Courses

Completing the following courses: PSL 827, 828, 850, and 910; BCH 801 and 802; four semesters of Topics in Physiology (PSL 950) at one credit per semester; and a minimum of 24 semester credits of PSL 999 research.

Language Skills

No language skill, other than English, is required in the Ph.D. program. However, a reading knowledge in a foreign language that is deemed appropriate to the student's professional interests may be required by the Guidance Committee in consultation with the student.

Research and Thesis Requirements

For details regarding the recommended style for dissertations, see Section II.F., 'The Graduate School Guide to the Preparation of Graduate Master's Thesis and/or Doctoral Dissertation." This manual is available from the Graduate School in Linton Hall.

Evaluation of Progress

During the doctoral program, each student must demonstrate a breadth of knowledge of physiology, depth of knowledge in the student's chosen field of physiology, and must demonstrate that he/she can conceive, execute, and report an original piece of research. To these ends, each Ph.D. candidate must successfully meet three criteria:

pass the Comprehensive Examination, which measures breadth of physiological knowledge
have a yearly guidance committee meeting
present a written and oral Dissertation and pass the Final Oral Examination.

The Comprehensive Exam

Prior to the beginning of the third year in the program the student is expected to successfully complete the Comprehensive Exam. The Comprehensive Exam will be administered by the student's Guidance Committee plus a member of the Physiology Curriculum Committee who will serve as chair of the Comprehensive Exam Committee. The student's Major Adviser will not participate on the Comprehensive Exam Committee.

The comprehensive exam will involve 3 parts:

The preparation of a written thesis proposal under the guidelines described below.
An oral presentation of the proposed research in an open seminal.
A closed session meeting with preliminary exam committee.

Part 1: The written proposal

he format described below will be used for the preparation of the written thesis proposal for the comprehensive exam. This proposal is patterned after an NIH RO1/NRSA. We are aware that some physiology graduate students are in research programs where the major professor might submit an application to USDA, NSF, DOE or other agencies. Unfortunately, the various governmental and private agencies do not use a uniform set of guidelines for the preparation of a research proposal. In an effort to establish some uniformity to our comprehensive exam we have given specific guidelines that will aid the student in the preparation of their proposal. Moreover, we have given some criteria as to how the student's proposal will be evaluated by the comprehensive exam committee. While we do not expect our 2nd year graduate students to write a proposal that would be competitive for funding from a national agency, we do expect our students to put forth a scholarly effort. This effort should not be just a compilation of technical accomplishments, but demonstrate the breadth and depth of the student's knowledge in their chosen field of research and the broader field of physiology. This document should provide the comprehensive exam committee with sufficient evidence to judge the student's potential (both intellectual and technical) to develop a first rate dissertation research project.

At least seven (7) days prior to the seminar date, the student shall submit a written Dissertation Proposal to the members of the comprehensive exam committee.

Specific instructions to the preparation of the research proposal:
Double spaced; page limitations are for double spaced format:
Font size: 10, 11 or 12.
Margins: 3/4 in on all sides.
Figure/tables should be formatted in the text, if possible.

Specific Aims Not exceed 2 pages. List the broad, long-term objectives and what the specific research proposed in this application is intended to accomplish. State the hypotheses to be tested.
Background and Significance. Not to exceed 6 pages. Briefly sketch the background leading to the present application, critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps, which the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance and physiological relevance of the research described in this application by relating the specific aims to the broad, long-term objectives.
Preliminary Studies/Progress Report. Not to exceed eight pages. Use this section to provide an account of the your preliminary studies pertinent to the research proposal that will help to establish your experience and competence to pursue the proposed project.
Research Design and Methods. Not to exceed 12 pages. Describe the research design and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Describe any new methodology and its advantage over existing methodologies. Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project. Point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and the precautions to be exercised.
Literature Cited. List all references. Each reference must include the title, names of all authors, book or journal, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication. The reference should be limited to relevant and current literature. While there is no page limitation, it is important to be concise and to select only those literature references pertinent to the proposed research.

As the candidate prepares their proposal, they should be aware of how the written proposal will be evaluated by the Comprehensive Exam Committee. Accordingly, the candidate should be sure their proposal contains information to address the following issues.

Does this research advance our understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease or enhance health?
Under significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of this project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field?
Under Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
Under Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
Under Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the investigator?

Part 2: The oral presentation.

The oral presentation of the research proposal in an open seminar. The oral presentation of the research proposal should be ~50 minutes in length (40 min. presentation + 10 min. of a question/answer period from the audience). Do not attempt to include all of the information in the written thesis proposal in the oral seminar. The key to success in this portion of the exam is to give a clear and coherent presentation. A very nice paperback book that provides guidance in the preparation for and presentation of a scientific talk is: "Dazzle 'em with style: The art of oral scientific presentation" by Robert R.H. Anholt. (1994) W.H. Freeman and Company, ISBN: 0-7167-2583-5. Rehearse your presentation with your mentor, lab colleagues and/or fellow graduate students.

Part 3: The private session with the comprehensive exam committee will focus on:

the studies the student has already conducted in the laboratory of his/her Major Advisor;
the proposal of future research that will serve as the basis for the doctoral dissertation; and
the student's knowledge and understanding of the facts and fundamental concepts that are pertinent to the dissertation research. The student must demonstrate defensible logic in the formulation of questions/hypotheses and in the proposed approaches to answer these questions (or test these hypotheses) experimentally. The student must also demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of fundamental physiological principles that are relevant to his/her research area.

All faculty are encouraged to attend the Dissertation Proposal Seminar and to submit written evaluations of the student's performance. The Comprehensive Exam Committee will use these written comments plus the results of their own meeting with the student to reach a judgment regarding the adequacy of the student's seminar presentation, dissertation proposal, and command of relevant knowledge in physiology. The private session meeting with the Comprehensive Exam Committee. The private session with the preliminary exam committee should follow the seminar and is expected to take at least two hours.

Following their meeting with the student, the Comprehensive Exam Committee will decide by majority vote on one of the following dispositions:

Pass
Pass with condition, or
Fail

In the case of "pass with condition," the student will be expected to fulfill the conditions set by the Comprehensive Exam Committee within three (3) months of the exam. If the student fails the exam, the student will be dis-enrolled from the Ph.D. program, but may be allowed to complete a M.S. program.

A "Report on Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (Department of Physiology)" will need to be signed by the Committee members and Chair and filed with the Graduate Program Director, the student, and the student's Major Adviser.

Failure on the part of the student to fulfill the requirements for the Departmental Comprehensive Exam within the prescribed time limits will result in dis-enrollment from the Ph.D. program. A student dis-enrolled for this reason shall have the right to apply to the Graduate Affairs Committee for readmission.

Yearly reports to the thesis guidance committee:

After successfully completing the comprehensive exam, the student is required to meet with their thesis guidance committee at least 1 time/year for the duration of their graduate program. This meeting will involve the student, the major adviser and other faculty members on the student's thesis guidance committee. The student will need to provide the thesis guidance committee with a written progress report of their research. In this report, state the original specific aims and the progress made toward completion of those aims. If there have been changes in the aims or direction of research, state so and indicate why those changes were made. If any manuscripts have been published, include an abstract of the paper in the report. Conclude this report with your plan for the coming year and a time table for the completion of your research. This written report should be delivered to your thesis guidance committee members 7 days prior to the meeting.

At the meeting plan to give a brief (~30 min.) oral summation of your written report. The major advisor is required to provide a written summary of the yearly meeting using the form in Appendix E-1. The written summary is to be signed by the committee members and the student. Copies are to be distributed to the student, mentor, committee members and the students file.

The Final Oral Examination -- Dissertation Defense

The final oral examination in defense of the dissertation will be conducted and evaluated by the Guidance Committee, supplemented at the discretion of the dean of the college by two appointed faculty members. Other interested staff members may attend. The examination will be scheduled for a date not earlier than two weeks after the dissertation and abstract have been submitted to the major professor and Guidance Committee but not later than the sixth Friday of the semester. This will allow time for the members of the Committee to review and evaluate the dissertation before the examination, and also allow sufficient time after the examination for the student to submit the unbound dissertation to the Office of the Graduate School before the specified deadline date. The student must be registered during the semester in which the final oral examination is taken. Simple majority rule is in effect for all guidance committee decisions. Any decision of the Guidance Committee can be appealed to the department chairperson.

Teaching experience

As part of their academic requirement, each student (irrespective of a student's source of stipend), is required to assist in the teaching of one semester of PSL 475, or equivalent as approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee. Students are encouraged to seek other opportunities for teaching experience, including presentation of formal lectures, construction and evaluation of examinations, tutoring of students, and leading discussion sections.

Teaching Assignments

To insure that each student receives teaching experience in diverse areas and to equitably distribute the graduate student teaching load, the following guidelines were established by the GAC in conjunction with the graduate students. It is emphasized that these are guidelines only and that attempts are made to accommodate the personal preferences of the students and faculty.

First year students are not assigned to any teaching assignments.
Second year students should be assigned to PSL 475 and not given other assignments during that year.
Senior graduate students should not be assigned to any teaching assignments

Prior to July 15, the Director of Research and Graduate Studies shall ask each course coordinator to submit a Graduate Student Responsibility Form containing a description of the teaching opportunities available to graduate students in courses to be taught the next academic year. The faculty may at this time suggest particular students for assignment to these courses. Graduate students are encouraged to review the Graduate Student Responsibility Forms prior to requesting a teaching assignment, and may make arrangements to do so with the graduate student Administrative Assistant. A list of available teaching assistant positions will be circulated to the graduate students who are then requested to submit a teaching preference to the Graduate Affairs Committee. All graduate student teaching assignments shall be made by the director in consultation with the Graduate Affairs Committee by July 15 for the entire academic year.

Summary of Program of Study

Completion of the Ph.D. program requires:

Filing a Guidance Committee Report by the end of the second semester of the second year. Following the filing of the Guidance Committee Report, each student's Guidance Committee is expected to meet and file a report annually, on the progress of the student.
Completing courses in the major and related fields as prescribed by the Guidance Committee Report.
Passing the Comprehensive Examination before the third year in the program.
Acquiring teaching experience by providing teaching assistance as prescribed by the Graduate Affairs Committee.
Preparing a dissertation based on original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge.
Passing a Final Oral Examination in defense of the dissertation within eight years of entry into the Ph.D. program.

Doctoral Program Timetable

University requirements - no specific number of course credits is required by the university. Approximately 22 semester credits and 24 research credits (PSL 999) are necessary to proceed from the BS to PhD degree.

Course	Credits
PSL 827: Physiology/Pharmacology of Excitable Cells	4
PSL 828: Cellular/Integrative Physiology	4
BCH 801: Molecular Biology and Protein Structure	3
BCH 802: Metabolic Regulation and Signal Transduction	3
PSL 910: Cellular and Molecular Physiology	4
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology (4 semesters @ 1cr./semester)	4
PSL 859: Research Topics in Physiology	1
PSL 980: Problemns in Physiology (lab rotation)	1-4
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	24
	Total: 46

Fall Semester - Yr. 1

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
BMB 801: Molecular Biology	3	M W F	9:10-10:00	1415 BPS
PSL 927: Physiology/Pharmacology of Excitable Cells	4	M W F	10:10-11:30	B448 Life Sciences
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology *	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3

Spring Semester - Yr. 1

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 828: Cellular and Integrative Physiology	4	M W F	8:00-9:30	BCM 114
BMB 802: Metabolic Regulation/Signal Transduction	3	M W F	10:20-11:10	223 Nat. Resources
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 980: Problems in Physiology (lab rotation)	1-4
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3
Select Advisor

* PSL 959 not required first semester in Program

Fall Semester - Yr. 2

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 910: Cellular and Molecular Physiology	4	M W	3:00-4:50	2240C BPS
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3
Form Guidance Committee

Spring Semester - Yr.2

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 850: Research Topics in Physiology	1	Tu	3:00-4:50	2235 BPS
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3
PSL 475: Capstone Lab in Physiology (teaching req.)
Guidance Meeting/File Guidance Committee Report
Complete Comprehensive Exam

Fall Semester - Yr 3

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3

Spring Semester - Yr. 3

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 950: Topics in Physiology	1	W	12:00-1:00	3280 BPS
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3
PSL 475: Capstone Lab in Physiology: (teaching req.)
Guidance Meeting

Fall Semester - Yrs. 4-5

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3

Spring Semester - Yrs. 4-5

Course	Credits	Days	Time	Location
PSL 999: PhD Thesis Research	1-3
Guidance Meeting