Message from the Chair

The 37 students currently enrolled in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Physiology benefit from a philosophy of communal responsibility for each student accepted into the program. The students also benefit immensely from a rich learning environment. Students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty participate in research and journal clubs to foster professional interactions, critical thinking, and excellence in analytical and communicative skills. Graduates compete successfully for postdoctoral fellowships in first-class laboratories and go on to establish rewarding careers in academic, industrial, biotech, educational and other environments.

The facilities available to students are excellent due to a long history of support from Penn State University and national funding agencies. Most of the research funding is from the National Institutes of Health, with additional funding coming from the American Cancer Society, National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International.

Most members of the Physiology Program faculty also participate in interdisciplinary graduate programs, including Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Integrative Bioscience Options. These programs provide additional educational opportunities for students working with faculty. Most faculty members also participate in the MD/PhD program of Penn State University

Please take the time to look through the following information to acquaint yourself with the opportunities that we provide for graduate study. We look forward to hearing from you!