Physiology
You can train in a collaborative environment. Biological sciences master’s student Dorcas Nsumbu conducts her research alongside physiology students. An aspiring physician, she is broadening her biomedical science knowledge.
Our master’s program in physiology provides training in cellular, molecular, and systems physiology, pathophysiology, and current topics in physiological research.
The program is well-suited for students requiring postgraduate studies prior to application to medical or dental school or a doctoral program. Many students enter the program to train for a career in research and teaching at a college or university. Graduates also find employment in government or industrial laboratories.
The program offers research training in the areas of neurobiology, cardiovascular, cellular, gastrointestinal, and renal physiology in the laboratories of an exceptional research faculty.
The program is flexible, offering a research project path that can be completed in three semesters and a thesis research path that can be completed in four semesters. Course requirements are minimal and elective courses can be tailored to the interest of the student. Tuition is reduced after two semesters.
Students complete the program with an understanding of the importance of physiology in the world of modern biomedicine. The underlying principle is that physiology is at the core of all aspects of the biomedical experience, especially if that experience is succeeding in a medical or dental school curriculum.
Entering students typically have majored in biology, chemistry, physics or engineering, although some enter after having worked in industry or had other non-academic experiences.
Contact
Director of Graduate Studies, Physiology
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor; Professor of Physiology and Biophysics; Professor of Medicine
Academic Coordinator
Molly Pratt-Cassidy
Academic Coordinator
Physiology and Biophysics
Master’s student Treefa Shwani, who investigates circuitry and synaptic function in disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, notes: “My mentor gives me the freedom to explore different projects and learn advanced techniques.”
Program Objectives
The goal of the MS program is to produce graduates who are well founded in the principles of organ system and cellular physiology and are able to perform research in specialized areas of physiology.
Curriculum
Objectives of the curriculum are to provide an education in the principles of physiology: instruction in the basic sciences relevant to the understanding of physiological principles and instruction in research methodology including experimental design, instrumentation, and analysis.
A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study is required; 24 of these must be completed at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Continuous registration for a minimum of one semester hour each Fall and Spring term is required until all requirements for the degree are completed. One of the following courses of study are required of all students entering the program unless they have completed equivalent graduate-level courses elsewhere.
First Semester
PGY 505–Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 4 credits
PGY 507–Laboratory Exercises in Physiology, 4 credits
- This is a laboratory rotation to determine your research project. Research is conducted under the guidance of your major professor and research advisory committee.
- There are two research paths: Research Project Path or Thesis Research Path
*Electives–4 credits
Second Semester
PGY 607–Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease, 3 credits
PGY 508–Laboratory Exercises in Physiology (Research), 4 credits
*Electives–5 credits
First Summer
Research, 0 credits
- Apply for full-time status, which allows you to take less than 12 credits per semester for the duration of your program to reduce tuition cost.
Thesis vs Project Path
Research is conducted under the guidance of the student’s major professor and research advisory committee.
There are two research paths:
Thesis Research Path
Thesis research will culminate in a written thesis dissertation and an oral thesis defense.
This path usually requires third and fourth semesters to complete.
Third Semester
PGY 701 - Thesis Research, 3 credits
Fourth Semester
PGY 702 - Thesis Research and Defense, 3 credits
Research Project Path
The focus of a research project is generally more applied than that for a thesis and will culminate in a written project report.
This path usually requires the third semester to complete.
Third Semester
PGY 950 - Research in Physiology, 6 credits
*Elective courses
Elective courses are taken to provide opportunities for advanced education in specialized areas relevant to the student's research and advanced general education. Courses may be elected by the student in consultation with the student’s thesis/project adviser. Some suggested elective courses include:
- PGY 551 Human Physiology I, 3 credits
- PGY 552 Human Physiology II, 3 credits
- PGY 555 Neuroimmunology, 3 credits
- BCH 503 Biochemical Principles, 3 credits
- NRS 520 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 4 credits
- BMS 501 Cell Biology, 4 credits
- BCH 507 Protein Structure and Function, 2 credits
- BCH 508 Gene Expression, 2 credits
Conducting research under Dr. Brian Weil, Tyler Rolland is a Physiology PhD student focusing on cardiovascular physiology and immunology.
Thesis/Project Research
MS Thesis Research, Thesis Preparation, Thesis Reviews
The thesis research is conducted by the graduate student under the guidance of his/her thesis adviser and thesis advisory committee. The student and thesis adviser recommend three members of the graduate faculty (two from inside and one from outside the department) to serve on the thesis advisory committee.
Individuals who are neither members nor associate members of the UB graduate faculty may serve as additional committee members if their expertise would be of significant value to the student and the core members of the committee. The committee is appointed by the director of graduate studies and chaired by the thesis adviser. The thesis research will culminate in a written thesis dissertation, which is an original contribution, written in English. Thesis preparation is critically monitored and supervised by the thesis adviser and the thesis advisory committee, both of whom must approve the thesis prior to the oral defense.
The oral defense of thesis is scheduled after the candidate’s thesis advisory committee has approved the thesis. The thesis is presented to the department in a seminar followed by an oral defense.
MS Project Research, Research Report Preparation, Research Report Reviews
Research conducted by a graduate student can result in a master’s research project rather than a thesis. The project research is conducted by the graduate student under the tutelage of his/her project adviser and project advisory committee. The project advisory committee will consist of the project adviser and two members of the department Faculty.
The focus of the research for a master’s project is generally more applied than that for a thesis, with the student often defining a problem and developing a solution for it. The project will be a scholarly undertaking that results in a tangible outcome (e.g., a technical report, a computer program, a manuscript), but that does not fit neatly within the framework of a traditional scholarly thesis paper.
The final project must be accompanied by a report written by the student that introduces, analyzes and contextualizes the project, and demonstrates the student's familiarity with the relevant literature of the field.
The master’s project final paper must be approved by the graduate student’s project adviser, project advisory committee, and the director of graduate studies for physiology.
Admission Requirements and Student Selection Procedures
The candidate should have demonstrated above-average academic performance.
Entry into the program is contingent upon award of the baccalaureate degree.
The Graduate Affairs Committee evaluates these credentials, conducts interviews with promising candidates, and will make an offer of admission to the program.
How to Apply
You can apply online. You’ll need to submit scanned copies of all required supporting documents before your application will be reviewed. You may save and edit your application as you go.
Official documents will be required if you are offered admission.
Once your application is ready, you must formally submit it to upload your documents.
Check Your Status
You may log in at any time to check your status.
The online checklist is your best source about the status of your application during the review process; please check it frequently.
You will receive an email when your admission decision is available in the portal.
Requirements
The following credentials are required for application consideration:
- transcript(s) from every institution you have previously attended
- three letters of recommendation
- a resume
- a personal letter stating career objectives and research experience. Research experience is highly desirable.
Special Note for International Students
If you are applying from outside the United States, apply as early as possible to ensure time for application and visa processing.
Regardless of your program’s deadline, it is recommended that you apply at least 6-9 months prior to the term start date (depending on your country of origin). Check with your program’s application coordinator for specific guidelines.
English Proficiency Requirement
International applicants must present a valid English Language Proficiency test score. It is university policy that test dates be no older than two years when students enter a program. We recommend uploading scanned copies of your results at the time of application in order to expedite the review process.
- Institution code: R2925 (SUNY-University at Buffalo)
- Department Code: 36
The minimum score that we accept is:
| Internet-based TOEFL Test (iBT) | 79 |
| Paper-based TOEFL Test (PBT) | 550 |
| Computer-based TOEFL Test (CBT) | 213 |
Fees
Once you submit your application online for formal review, you will be provided with a link to our online payment system, where you can pay the application fee.