The IPP program provides students with the tools to conduct original research in aspects of physiology and/or pharmacology. Students are provided with an intensive experience in research laboratories, supplemented with academic instruction (course work, study of current literature, seminars, etc.). Each student's program is tailored to attain a high level of competency in their field.
Learning objectives include: 1) Demonstrate working knowledge and comprehension of principles pertinent to research discipline; 2) Apply problem-solving skills and principles to synthesize and test original hypotheses; 3) Employ critical thinking skills in analyzing and interpreting data from literature and first-hand research; and 4) Demonstrate effective communications to various audience. Having completed the requirements for the advanced degree, each student should be prepared for a career in research, education, industry, or government, etc.
Graduate Program Administrator Mandy Grizzle Mandy.Grizzle@uga.edu 706-542-5855
30 hours
Apply to the UGA Graduate School and Integrated Life Sciences (https://ils.uga.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/), include the following: - 3 Letters of recommendation - CV - Statement of Purpose (emphasizing career goals, objectives, and research plans); at the end of the statement include the names of up to 3 potential faculty who share your interests and could serve as your major advisor. - Unofficial transcript (3.0 minimum gpa) from each institution you attended. Official transcripts will be required if offered admission. - Although there are no formal course requirements for admission, your previous coursework and training should reflect preparation for advanced study in Physiology and Pharmacology (e.g., related coursework, work experience, research experience, publications, presentations, etc.). A MS is not required for admission.
- International students: 1) For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required, such as official TOEFL or IELTS scores sent by testing agency; 2) Certificate of Finances form. - Application deadline is December 1st for the following Fall semester.
| VPHY 8210 | Integrative Systems Physiology I | 3 |
| VPHY 8250 | Integrative Systems Physiology II | 3 |
| VPHY 8900 (1 hour) | Physiology-Pharmacology Seminar | 1 |
| VPHY 8901 (3 hours) | Physiology and Pharmacology Seminar Presentation | 1 |
| VPHY 9000 | Doctoral Research Physiology | 1-18 |
| VPHY 9300 (3 hours min.) | Doctoral Dissertation | 1-10 |
Choose 4 to 6 credit hours from the following:
| BINF 8160 | Single Cell Analysis and Bioinformatics | 3 |
|
BIOS 7010
Analytical Thinking
|
Fundamentals of Biostatistical Reasoning | 3 |
| BIOS 8010 | Regression and Analysis of Variance | 3 |
| PMCY 4250/6250 | Biomedical Data Literacy and Applications in R | 3 |
| STAT 6210 | Introduction to Statistical Methods I | 3 |
|
STAT 6315
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
|
Statistical Methods for Researchers | 4 |
Choose 7 credit hour(s) from the following:
| ADSC 8400 | Advanced Animal Reproduction | 3 |
| BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8213 | Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology III | 2 |
| BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8214 | Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology IV | 2 |
| BIOL(CBIO)(VPAT) 5040/7040 | Electron Microscopy | 3 |
| CBIO 8050-8050L | Techniques in Modern Microscopy | 4 |
| CBIO 8100 | Advanced Immunology | 4 |
| CBIO 8920L | Cellular Biology Research Techniques | 1-2 |
| GENE 8920 | Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| IDIS 8010 | Advanced Studies in Infectious Diseases | 4 |
| IDIS 8020 | Vaccines: From Design to Development | 3 |
| IDIS 8520 | Special Topics in Virology | 1 |
| IDIS 8900 | Problems in Infectious Diseases | 1-10 |
| KINS 8410 | Neuromuscular Mechanisms in Exercise | 3 |
| MIBO(PBHL)(IDIS)(BHSI) 8260 | Global Perspectives on Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases | 1 |
| PHRM 7210 (1-5 hours) | Special Topics in Pharmacy | 1-5 |
| PHRM 8420 | Cardiovascular Pharmacology | 3 |
| PHRM(VPHY) 8940 | Organ Systems Toxicology | 4 |
| PSYC 8330 | Laboratory Apprenticeship in Biopsychology | 3 |
| VPHY(KINS) 5690/7690 | Skeletal Muscle and Mitochondria Physiology | 3 |
| VPHY 8000 | Cardiovascular Physiology | 2 |
| VPHY 8001 | Current Topics in Reproductive Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology | 3 |
| VPHY 8010 | Mammalian Cell Physiology | 3 |
| VPHY 8020 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| VPHY 8120 | The Molecular Basis of Renal Physiology | 2 |
| VPHY 8330 | Laboratory Apprenticeship in Physiology and Pharmacology | 3 |
| VPHY 8400 | Neurophysiology | 3 |
| VPHY 8450 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacology | 2 |
| VPHY 8600 | Current Topics in Synaptic Physiology | 3 |
| VPHY 8960 | Molecular Toxicology | 3 |
| GRSC 7001 | GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar | 1 |
| GRSC 7770 * | Graduate Teaching Seminar | 1-3 |
* Required for students selected for teaching assistantships
The following are required for completion of the major: - A minimum of 16 credit hours of 8000- or 9000- level courses (including VPHY 8901 but excluding VPHY 9000 research and VPHY 9300 dissertation writing credit hours). - A total of at least 30 credit hours of course work including VPHY 9000, or VPHY 9300. - At least 2 consecutive semesters of full-time work in resident study on campus.
Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.
IPP graduates have gone on to academic careers as research and teaching faculty at research-orientated universities, and non-academic careers with government agencies, industry, etc.
Qualified students will be nominated by the Graduate Program Committee for Graduate School Presidential and PhD Fellows awards. Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships in the department are available to qualified IPP students. IPP students are encouraged to seek outside fellowships and scholarships (e.g., NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, NIH F31 grants, etc.).
IPP students are encouraged to pursue research opportunities outside of UGA, when appropriate and in consultation with their committees.
IPP students are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities when those internships will facilitate their professional development and career aspirations.
IPP students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. The Graduate School and some conference organizers have funds available to defray travel expenses for students who present. IPP students are encouraged to write grant proposals (e.g., F31) to help fund their research and to develop grant-writing skills. IPP students are expected to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals. IPP students are encouraged to gain mentoring skills via mentoring junior students (e.g., undergraduate students, MS students, and junior PhD students).
The PP-GSA is a graduate student association founded to encourage collaboration and socialization interdepartmentally. Any graduate student (master’s thesis, master’s non-thesis, PhD, etc.) interested in the fields of physiology and pharmacology is eligible to join. The current President is Jackson Sundgren, the Vice President is Jonny Hancock, and the Secretary is Taylor Martin.
In addition to IPP, faculty members in the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology are also associated with other programs, such as Neuroscience, Toxicology, etc.