Post- Baccalaureate Program - MS in Medical Physiology:
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Masters of Science in Medical Physiology
Program Code: MDP-MS-B
(Announcement Flyer)
(Detailed Program Description)
The Master's Program in Medical Physiology is designed for students with at least a bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science who are seeking advanced training in the physiological sciences, typically in preparation for admission to a professional medical program (e.g. Medical School, Dental School). The program is flexible in duration. It can take as little as 1 year (2 semesters, 9 months) to complete the required 30 credit hours of course work. However, students who wish to decompress the program can take 14 months or more to complete the requirements. Core courses and flexible electives allow students to focus their work in key areas of medical physiology, including Anatomy, Biochemistry, or Pharmacology. Graduates of the Medical Physiology Master's Program also can pursue careers in basic and clinical research, research administration, teaching or management in academia, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, private research institutions, government science or regulatory agencies, or medicine and health care. The MS in Medical Physiology may be a terminal degree or may lead to admission to medical, dental, or Ph.D. programs.
- Description of the curriculum:
Students earn a plan B type MS from Case Western Reserve University. The template of the degree is constituted by core courses in physiology, elective coursework in various related areas, participation in a seminar series, scientific integrity training, a final comprehensive examination (in the form of a written paper - at least 10 to 20 pages long - where the student will be given the opportunity to display their understanding of physiology and other biophysical sciences that they have studied during the program) and completion of a total of 30 graduate credit hours. The core of the curriculum is a total of 21 hours of basic physiology. The sequential Medical Physiology I and II PHOL 481 & 482 courses begin with the study of the physiology of cells and molecules. The courses then go into a detailed analysis of the various organ systems: the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, the endocrine system, followed by the reproductive system. The last part of this course sequence is dedicated to applying the principles learned in the study of the physiological systems to the physiology of everyday life: metabolism, regulation of body temperature, exercise physiology and sports science, environmental physiology, and the physiology of aging.
Concurrent with the two Medical Physiology courses, two Translational Physiology courses, PHOL 483 & 484, will explore examples of how the latest basic research in physiology and biophysics is being applied to the treatment of human disease. For example, while the students are studying the basic principles of cardiovascular physiology, they will also be investigating how these principles are being applied to treat/cure human cardiovascular disorders such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, etc. These courses are designed to increase the awareness of the students of the importance of understanding the physiology of an organ system in enough detail to be able to correct problems with the functioning of the system when they arise.
Each Monday afternoon, the department sponsors a seminar series. The Physiology Seminar course that each student takes each term requires that they attend this seminar weekly and a discussion session following each seminar where a recent paper by the seminar speaker will be discussed by the students.
During the last term of the program, all students will take an Independent Study in Physiology course (PHOL 451). This course is a guided program of study designed to synthesize the material that the students have studied. The end product of this course is a written paper which will serve as the required final comprehensive examination for the degree. The students will choose the topic for this paper subject to the approval of their faculty advisor. A list of recommended topics will be provided to the students.
The required and recommended elective courses for this program are detailed below. Appendixes A - D contain sample curricula for students desiring to complete the program in four different time frames, from 9 months to 2.5 years.
Applications for the Fall of 2012 are being accepted now through the first of June. Qualified applicants will be accepted into the program as soon as they are identified through the first of July. Fall classes begin in late August.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Students with at least a bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science who are seeking advanced training in the physiological sciences, typically in preparation for admission to a professional medical program (e.g. Medical School, Dental School), should consider applying to this program.
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PHOL 461
Medical Physiology I
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6.0 Credits
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PHOL 483
Translational Physiology I
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2.0 Credits
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PHOL 468
Membrane Physiology
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3.0 Credits
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PHOL 498-1
Physiology & Biophysics Seminar
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1.0 Credit
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PHOL 482
Medical Physiology II
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6.0 Credits
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PHOL 484
Translational Physiology II
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2.0 Credit
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PHOL 451
Independent Study in Physiology
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1.0 Credits
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For more information and to receive a detailed description of the program, please contact:
Dr. Thomas M. Nosek, Director of the Graduate program (Thomas.Nosek@case.edu)
Dr. Andrea Romani, Director Admissions
(Andrea.Romani@case.edu)
Ms. Jean Davis, (Jean.Davis@case.edu, 216.368.2084)
Coordinator, Educational Programs
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4970
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Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4970 
