Admission Requirements
The program in Physiology Biophysics and Systems Biology is a graduate program of the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University. A close working relationship between student and faculty is essential to the program. Guidance for each student is provided by a Special Committee, a group of at least three faculty members selected by the student. This Special Committee is granted extraordinary independence in working with the student. Other than a broad framework of Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences requirements for residence, examinations, and a thesis, and the particular requirements of the Program in Physiology and Biophysics, the student and the Special Committee are free to design an individualized program of study. No overall course, credit-hour, or grade requirements are set by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences.The Special Committee recommends the award of the Ph.D. degree not only as the result of the fulfillment of certain formal academic requirements, but also as evidence of the development and possession of a critical and creative ability in science. Demonstration of this ability is embodied in a dissertation which the candidate presents to the faculty as an original research contribution in Physiology and Biophysics.
Admission to the PhD Program
The Program in Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology welcomes applications from candidates with:
- a baccalaureate or higher degree,
- appropriate preparation in the biological or physical sciences, and
- ability to pursue advanced study and research.
Inquiries about the Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology graduate program should be addressed to:
Colleen Clancy, Program Director
Emre Aksay, Program Director
Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology
Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
1300 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065
E-mail: physiology@med.cornell.edu
The completed application and all supporting documents are initially screened by the credentials committee of the Program in Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology. Applicants who are considered potentially acceptable may be called for a interview. If accepted by the program, an application is forwarded to the Dean of the the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences for the final decision. A student is formally notified of acceptance by a letter from the Dean.
PBSB Program Requirements
Requirements: Prior to the taking the ACE exam, a student must take 3 Core courses, 2 electives, and 2 Seminar course series.
First Year, First Semester (Quarters 1-2)
Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics (Core Course 1)
Tues. and Thurs. 4:15 - 5:15.
Essentials of Human Systems Physiology (Core Course 2)
Mondays and Wednesdays from 2-4 pm.
"Faculty research" lunches. (Seminar Course 1)
Wednesdays, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
PBSB Monday seminars (Seminar Course 2)
Every other Monday, 4-6 pm.
(Monday after Labor Day) Submit laboratory rotation agreement to Program Director and begin laboratory rotation #1
12/20: End Laboratory rotation #1
12/20: Laboratory rotation #1 report due
12/30: Faculty evaluation of rotating students due
Meeting with faculty advisors
First Year, Second Semester (Quarters 3-4)
Two Elective Courses
"Scientific Presentation and Critique" (Seminar Course 1)
(1st year students will present 1st paper in journal club format)
PBSB Monday seminars (Seminar Course 2)
Every other Monday, 4-6 pm.
(First two weeks of January) Submit laboratory rotation agreement to Program Director and begin laboratory rotation #2
Last day of March: End Laboratory rotation #2
4/1: Laboratory rotation #2 report due
4/30: Faculty evaluation of rotating students due
First two weeks of April: Submit laboratory rotation agreement to program Director Begin laboratory rotation #3
Last day of June: End Laboratory rotation #3
7/1: Laboratory rotation #3 report due
7/30: Faculty evaluation of rotating students due
Meeting with faculty advisors
First Year, Summer
Students may choose to enter lab chosen for thesis work or;
First two weeks of July: Begin laboratory rotation #4
Last day of August: End Laboratory rotation #4
8/31: Laboratory rotation #4 report due
9/5: Faculty evaluation of rotating students due
Meeting with faculty advisors
Second Year, First Semester (Quarters 1-2)
Logic and Experimental Design (Core Course 3)
PBSB Monday seminars (Seminar Course 2)
Every other Monday, 4-6 pm.
Work in thesis lab has begun.
Tri-Institutional RCR (Responsible Conduct of Research - required)
Meeting with faculty advisors
Second Year, Second Semester (Quarters 3-4)
January/February: Intro to the ACE Exam
(mini-course by Silvia C. Finnemann, Ph.D. - students will be contacted by Dr. Finnemann)
One Elective Course
"Scientific Presentation and Critique" (Seminar Course 1)
(2nd year students will present second paper in journal club format)
PBSB Monday seminars (Seminar Course 2)
Every other Monday, 4-6 pm.
ACE exam. Form committee, research and write proposal.
Meeting with faculty advisors
Elective courses can be chosen from any of the existing graduate school offerings.
All students must complete at least three laboratory rotations; one of these is usually in the Thesis Advisor's laboratory.
The Thesis Advisor is usually chosen early in the second year (summer or fall). A special committee consisting of the thesis advisor and two other faculty members will be constituted to guide the student in his/her research preparation. Students start their thesis research before completing their formal course-work, but they are not admitted to Ph.D. candidacy until passing their Admission to Candidacy Exam (ACE) at the end of the second year.
For more information see http://pbsb.med.cornell.edu
