Best Biophysics Masters Programs in Indiana

The Biophysics PhD program offers the opportunity for inter and multi-disciplinary research in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and biological, and computational sciences in an exploration of our experimental and theoretical understanding of how biology works at the molecular level.

Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution one must show conferral of a bachelor degree. (Due upon enrollment).

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 program is designed to provide students with the skills required to advance to positions as bioscience researchers and trainers in a broad spectrum of positions.

The structure of the program provides a framework for the progressive development of a mastery of the current state of the subject matter of bioscience, an ability to synthesize this information and apply this foundation to the identification of key areas of investigation and experimentation in bioscience.

In addition, the program 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.

Students in the doctoral program in physiology and biophysics will acquire the skills to become independent research scientists, educators and administrators in a broad spectrum of positions.

Students will gain a progressive mastery of concepts in physiology and biophysics and related disciplines an understanding of the current state of research investigations in the field an ability to synthesize information and apply foundational concepts to identify key areas for innovative investigation and experimentation and the knowledge to design, execute and interpret experiments and publish studies that address the questions identified.

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.

Analytical skills include the ability to: (1) interpret information and quantitative data relevant to studies in physiology and biophysics, including by effectively using software and other analytical tools and by applying appropriate statistical tests to ensure data are robust (2) connect rationales to experimental approaches (3) draw reasonable conclusions from the evidence obtained and consider alternative interpretations and (4) identify limitations in the experimental design and interpretation.

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. Information on doctoral programsis available elsewhere in this chapter of the Graduate Bulletin.

Ph.D. selected from the drop-down menu of programs on the VCU online application form.

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, successful applicants will typically have the following credentials:.

The equivalent of two semesters of general chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry and two semesters of upper-level biology courses (e.g. cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, physiology, biophysics, etc.).

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 Ph.D. program in physiology and biophysics normally takes at least four years to complete. The first two years are devoted mainly to course work. On satisfactory completion of two years of course work, students must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations to qualify for degree candidacy. Following admission to candidacy, each student must conduct a substantial original research project, prepare a written dissertation, present their work in a seminar and defend it successfully in an oral examination.

In addition to the general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours for the Ph.D., including directed research.

Physiology Preseminar Highlights (one-credit course, required each Fall and Spring semester).

Physiology Research Seminar (one-credit course, required each Fall and Spring semester).

Research in Progress (0.5-credit course, required each Fall and Spring semester).

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

The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 66.

Students who complete the requirements for this degree will receive a Doctor of Philosophy 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.

The M.D. program allows students to pursue both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees using a coordinated program of study and apply a limited number of M.D. requirements toward fulfillment of requirements for the Ph.D. See the dual degree program page for additional details.