Biophysics Master’s program at Ball State University

Addiction Studies, Certificate in (Graduate certificate) with a concentration in advanced international addiction studies.

Addiction Studies, Certificate in (Graduate certificate) with a concentration in intermediate international addiction studies.

Human Genetics, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in quantitative human genetics.

Human Genetics, Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in genomic data science.

Microbiology and Immunology, Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in oral biology.

This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change.

The structure of the program provides a framework for the progressive development of a mastery of the current state of the subject matter of physiology and bioscience, as well as an ability to synthesize this information and apply this foundation to the identification of key areas of investigation and experimentation in bioscience. In addition, students will develop skills in the various means of communicating both the core of bioscience knowledge and the expression of experimental design, results and interpretation to a variety of potential audiences.

Problem-solving and analytical skills: Degree candidates will demonstrate an appropriate level of skill to identify and address scientific questions and utilize appropriate analytical methods and tools.

Communication skills: Degree candidates will demonstrate that an appropriate level of oral, written and visual communication skills have been acquired.

Oral communication skills include selection of content, organization and logical flow of ideas, and development of clear and professional presentations using appropriate language and incorporating appropriate visual aids.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs.

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

The School of Medicine provides policies applicable to all programs administratively housed in the school.

Spring start is available to applicants admitted for fall summer with program permission.

Although there are no absolute course requirements for admission, applicants are expected to have fundamental knowledge of general and organic chemistry and biology as well as prior course work in physics, molecular and cellular biology and calculus. Previous research experience is also desirable.

Individuals who are participants in medical training (the Doctor of Medicine program) at VCU may be eligible for enrollment in a research-intensive, non-thesis graduate curriculum. This basic science option builds on the core of disciplinary material embedded in the first two years of training in the medical school curriculum. Additional exposure is provided to specialized areas in basic science disciplines in concert with an intensive research experience leading to the preparation of a report in the form of a manuscript suitable for publication. The program is designed to be completed within 12 to 15 months. Subject matter related to the core material and or suitable elective courses taken in the didactic phase of medical training correspond to a minimum of the equivalent of 24 graduate credit hours. The equivalent of 12 credit hours may be applied to the M.S. degree program in which the student is enrolled in accordance with Graduate School policy.

The Physiology and Biophysics offers courses of study leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy. A combined M.D. degree program is also available through this department and the School of Medicine.

Graduate study in the Physiology and Biophysics in the School of Medicine is a highly individualized undertaking and required course work represents only one component.

The M.S. degree program includes a first year comprising mainly didactic course work and a second year largely devoted to the completion of an independent research project under the guidance and in the laboratory of a chosen adviser.

In addition to successfully competing required course work and electives, students are required to prepare a thesis based on their laboratory research and successfully present and defend their thesis in an oral defense.

In addition to the general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, including directed research, to earn an M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics.

Directed Research in Physiology (variable credit course required each semester).

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.

Students who complete the requirements for this degree will receive a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics.

Many students often end up taking than the minimum number of hours required for a degree program. The total number of hours may vary depending upon the program, nature of research being conducted by a study or in the enrollment or funding status of the student.