The Department of Physiology and Biophysics offers graduate training leading to the following degrees:

Ph.D. Physiology & Biophysics
M.S. Physiology & Biophysics

The department’s graduate programs are designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in physiology and related fields.

Through course work and research, students develop an integrated knowledge of physiological systems at several levels of organization – including molecular, cellular and system – enabling students to develop the critical concepts and skills necessary to thrive in the current biomedical research community.

Department faculty approach several broad areas of physiological research across levels of organization, providing students with guidance and access to specialized facilities to undertake advanced research.

Areas of active research in the Department are:

• Endocrinology and metabolism, especially the causes of diabetes
  
• Signal transduction and molecular biological studies of insulin resistance
  
• Molecular mechanisms of fluid and electrolyte balance
  
• Structure and function of membrane transport proteins
  
• Mechanical and biophysical behavior of human blood cells in normal, chemically modified, aged, and pathologic states (e.g. sickle cell disease, diabetes)
  
• Hormonal regulation of tear secretion and autoimmune responses of lacrimal glands related to the disease of dry eye
  
• Neurophysiology.