Ph.D. and M.S. Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences or mathematics.
  
• Undergraduate course work in mathematics (including one year of calculus), physics (one year), general and/or organic chemistry (one year), and biochemistry and/or biological sciences (one year).
  
• Satisfactory performance on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical Graduate Record Examinationas (GRE) or the Medical COllege Admission Test (MCAT). International applicants must also provide TOEFL scores. At the discretion of the applicant, scores from advanced GRE tests may be submitted.

Application Materials Required

• A completed application
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts including degree verification
• Official GRE scores or MCAT Scores
• A personal statement not exceeding 750 words explaining the reasons you desire a Ph.D. or M.S. in Physiology and your future career goals.

Applications not meeting the above requiremensts will be considered only if an explanation accompanies the application.

Application Deadlines and Process

Applications for admission are evaluated on a continuous basis. All application materials must be received by the Department before a decision can be made. Preference is given to applications completed in a timely manner enabling initiation of enrollment in the fall term.

Ph.D. Program: Applicants to the PhD program should apply through the Program in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS) administered by the Office of Scientific Affairs at the Keck School of Medicine. For further information about PIBBS and the application process, please go to the PIBBS website

If the deadline for application through the PIBBS process has passed, applicants should contact the Graduate Coordinator of the Department by email to determine if an application directly to the Department will be considered.

Master's Program: Applicants to the Master's program must completed the on-line Departmental Application Form » A printout of the application and all supporting documents, must be mailed directly to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department at the address that appears below. Upon completion of a review of the application to the Department, eligible applicants will be asked to submit an official application to the Office of Admissions of the University.

After submission of a complete application, applicants interested in the Thesis Option are encouraged to directly contact faculty members of the department conducting research in their areas of interest to determine if the faculty member is available to serve as the primary thesis advisor of the student. Enrollment in the Thesis Option is the preferred mechanism to ensure access to a focused and mentored research experience.

Address correspondence to:

Elena Camarena
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
Keck School of Medicine of USC
1333 San Pablo Street, MMR 626
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9142
Phone (323) 442-1039
Fax (323) 442-2283
E-mail ecamaren@usc.edu

Admission to the program requires acceptance by both the Department and the Graduate School of the University.

For further information about university requirements and application process, consult the web site of the USC Graduate School Admissions Office