Graduate Program

The Graduate Program in the Department of Physiological Sciences offers several programs of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The specific programs provide extensive training for careers in research, industry, government, and academia. They are affiliated with and draw resources from both the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Health Science Center, where our facilities are located.

Application Requirements

Applications may be submitted at any time. To be considered for fellowship support, it is recommended that interested students apply early in the year in which they seek admission. Minimum requirements are a bachelor’s degree in a biological science with an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (with a GPA of 3.5 in the last 2 years), GRE score of 1150 (combined verbal and quantitative) or a new-scale combined GRE score of 310, and three letters of recommendation. Foreign applicants must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (internet TOEFL score of 81) or a 6.0 on the IELTS.

Preparation for Success

Prospective candidates for admission are urged to first review the research interests of our faculty, Physiological Sciences Faculty, in order to identify areas of mutual interest. Contact individual faculty and begin a dialogue. It is rare that a candidate is admitted to our program in the absence of prior contact of this kind.

On the basis of mutual research interest, new students are usually assigned a major advisor on entering the program, and begin their research activities in the advisor’s laboratory, with rotations through other related laboratories also possible. A required core curriculum is completed during the first two years, with additional elective courses chosen by the student in consultation with their major advisor and supervisory committee.

Written and oral qualifying exams covering the core material are usually given at the end of the second year. The student is advanced to candidacy after successful completion of these exams. Upon completion of the thesis research and dissertation, the student gives a public seminar, after which the thesis is defended.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available in the form of stipends and part-time or full-time teaching assistantships on a competitive basis for well-qualified graduate students. In addition, support from individual faculty may be available.

Graduate Studies in Physiological Sciences Guidelines

Graduate Studies in Physiological Sciences Guidelines

Correspondence and Information

All inquires about the Department of Physiological Sciences Graduate Program should be initially directed to Sara Rubinstein in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Sara Rubinstein
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Box 100125
Gainesville, FL  32610-0125
352-294-4241
s.rubinstein@ufl.edu 

Specific graduate program research inquiries in Physiological Sciences can be directed to:

John A. Bowden, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Dept. of Physiological Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Florida
Box 100144
Gainesville, FL  32610-0144
352-294-4063 (Basic Science Building) or 352-294-4064 (CEHT)
john.bowden@ufl.edu

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