To foster the development of teaching skills, the department involves the students in teaching conferences and laboratories in undergraduate physiology courses. Students are also required to present seminars regularly to the department.

The departmental research programs are centered around several interrelated themes: cardiovascular physiology, structure/function studies of proteins and macromolecular complexes (see detailed descriptions in department brochure (pdf)). The Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics also maintains close working relationships with other departments on campus that overlap these areas of research strength. Such collaborative projects further expand the breadth of research available to the students.

Detailed description of the Graduate Program in the Department. (pdf)

Program of Study

The program hosts graduate studies leading to the Ph.D. degree. Within the overall program, there are two specialized research tracks: biophysics and structural biology, and molecular basis of cardiovascular function.

The first year's courses establish a knowledge base in cellular and organ system physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, and scientific ethics that are common to each of the tracks. Subsequent course studies focus on specialized electives under the guidance of one or more faculty mentors. Lab and research topic rotations, which begin as early as the first year, provide hands-on exposure to ongoing research projects. A rich assortment of seminars and journal clubs round out the learning experience. Students build teaching and public speaking expertise through direct exposure following successful completion of the first year of study (complete curriculum) or view as a pdf.

Within the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Vermont (UVM), a powerful group of interacting laboratories focuses its research on the molecular basis of cardiovascular and muscle function as well as biological motility. This group's research covers model systems from the whole heart down to the level of a single molecular motor. Areas of emphasis range from excitation to intracellular signals, protein structure-function relationships with emphasis on molecular motors, and genetic control of differentiation. The breadth and world-class reputation of this group is nearly unparalleled in this field. The group's power is evident in its publication record, its success at attracting external funding, the subsequent success of its trainees, and its recognition. The proximity between laboratories and their high degree of interaction provides a nearly optimal environment for both the conduct of ground-breaking research, as well as for trainees to quickly climb to the field's current state of the art. The group forms a dream environment for working and learning, with easy access to an unprecedented spectrum of expertise using state-of-the-art methodologies such as x-ray crystallography, molecular biology, and single molecule biophysics. Extensive collaborations and interactions, with open doors and active hallways are a trademark of the program. For a PDF file of department research, click here.

Required Coursework

UVM requires a minimum of 75 credit hours to confer the Doctor of Philosophy Degree with at least 20 credit hours of dissertation research. MPBP graduate students are required to take a minimum of 31 course credits. 16 of these credits will be fulfilled with the common core courses and the additional 15 will come from elective courses that depend on the chosen track, either molecular physiology or biophysics (see below).

Common Core Courses

Elective Track Courses

Track A: Molecular Physiology

1 - Mandatory course: BIOC 302 Biochemistry (3 credits)

2 - Select two courses from the following group (each 3 credits).

BIOC 351, Proteins I: Structure & Function; BIOC 353, Proteins II: Enzymology; CLBI 301, Cell Biology; CLBI 302, Spec Cells & Cell Processes.

3 - Choose an additional 6 credits from the Graduate Catalogue (MPBP graduate courses, selected UVM graduate courses.)

Track B: Biophysics

1 - Select a total of three courses from three of the following five categories, one course per category. (All the courses listed are 3 credits.)

Category A: BIOC 370, Physical Biochemistry); CHEM221, Instrumental Analysis; CHEM221, Instrumental Analysis; CHEM 223, Mass Spectrometry.

Category B: MATH271, Applied Math for Eng. and Scientists; PHYS 301, Mathematical Physics; MATH 272, Applied Analysis; MATH 237, Introduction to Numerical Analysis; MATH 330, Advanced Ordinary Differential Eq.; MATH 332, Approximation Theory; STAT 211, Statistical Methods I; STAT 223, Applied Multivariate Statistics.

Category C: CS 224, Analysis of Algorithms; CS243, Theory of Computation; CS256, Neural Computation; CS 260 Parallel Algorthms and Prog. Tech.; CS 274, Computer Graphics.

Category D: BIOC 302, Biochemistry; BIOC 351, Proteins I: Structure & Function; Proteins II: Enzymology.Category E: EE 246, Engineering Optics I; EE 247, Physical Optics I; Physical Optics II; CHEM 264, Fundamentals of Spectroscopy.

2 - Choose an additional 6 credits from the Graduate Catalogue (MPBP graduate courses,selected UVM graduate courses.

Core Courses and Example programs (pdf)

Suggested remedial courses for students lacking the necessary background to successfully fulfill the common core requirements: MATH 21 (Calculus I) and Math 22 (Calculus I); CHEM 141/142 (Organic Chemistry); BCOR 011/012 (Exploring Biology), MPBP 19/20 (Human Anatomy & Physiology)

The remaining 25 credits may be used at the discretion of the student and advisor, and may include additional hours of dissertation research or additional courses. Full-time students typically enroll for 6-10 credit hours per semester. Enrollment in excess of the normal full-time course load requires written approval from the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Students will be advanced to candidacy if they:

- have successfully completed the core course requirements;
- have performed satisfactorily on their teaching assignments; and
- have favorably completed the departmental comprehensive examination.

Students who are not admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree will be permitted to complete studies for the master's degree if requirements for that program are met.

(View Complete Curriculum) or printable version (pdf.)

Financial Aid

Graduate students are supported by a combination of teaching or research fellowships, including an NIH-funded training grant during all years of their study. The stipend level during 2005-06 is $20,772 for a 12-month appointment, with full health insurance benefits provided. Students holding fellowships also receive full tuition scholarships.

Admission to the program

Candidates to the Ph.D. program are required to have a baccalaureate degree prior to the date of first enrollment. Applicants must demonstrate excellent undergraduate academic performance in physical and biological sciences and satisfactory scores on the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Foreign students must also show good proficiency in the English language with the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Institution Code for test scores for UVM is 3920.

In addition to the application forms, the GRE scores and the TOEFL scores (if necessary), we also require the following documents:

- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Essay indicating why you chose the program, your research interest and long-term goals.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is February 15th. (If openings still exist, applications may be reviewed after the deadline.) After this date, the applications will be reviewed by the faculty and candidates may be invited to the University for an interview prior to an acceptance.

For more information please review the online Graduate College catalogue at the UVM Grad College web site. On-line Application

Correspondence and Requesting Information

For additional information, please contact us:

Director of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Mol. Physiology & Biophysics
University of Vermont College of Medicine
HSRF 114
Burlington, VT 05405
phone: (802) 656-2540 or e-mail: physiol@physiology.med.uvm.edu

We look forward to hearing from you!