The Department of Physiology and Biophysics offers a graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The program consists of a curriculum of required and elective courses, seminars, and research on the functions, regulation, and interrelationships of physiological systems. Courses are designed to develop abroad and profound knowledge of all major areas of physiology, stimulate independent research, and to enable the student to interpret and evaluate issues and problems at the frontiers of knowledge. The major areas of research are cardiovascular physiology, pulmonary physiology, renal physiology, neurophysiology, endocrinology and cell metabolism, and membrane biophysics. The program requires a minimum of three years for completion of the degree.

Students applying to the Department of Physiology must obtain an application for admission from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The application should include a nonrefundable application fee of $25 payable to Howard University only by a certified check or money order. Deadlines are February 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester. Students are required to submit recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores as a part of their application.

SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

New students are admitted to the program only in the fall semester. The minimum requirements for admission are a baccalaureate degree with 2 semesters of mathematics, 2 semesters of organic chemistry, 3 semesters of biology, and 2 semesters of physics. Applicants are required to have at least a B average in these sciences.

Students must complete a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, and develop an acceptable dissertation. There is no foreign language requirement. Before graduation, the student is required to have published one research paper in a scientific journal.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to pass the Proficiency Examination in Expository Writing. Consult the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for examination dates.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates pursue careers in higher education as researchers and teachers. Others are employed in industry or in medical settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and other health services related environments.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a comprehensive, private, predominantly African American institution located in the nation=s capital, Washington, D.C. Howard has approximately 11,000 students from every state in the U.S. and every continent, and approximately 2,000 faculty members.

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is internationally renowned as a center for research and academic excellence. The Graduate School provides research and classroom study in a dynamic, multicultural and international setting. The student body of approximately 1,200 represents 35 states and 59 countries worldwide. The multiracial faculty of researchers/scholars, numbering more than 300, have close mentor-student relationships. The school offers 23 Ph.D. and 32 master=s degree programs in arts and humanities, biological and life sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and social sciences in 100 specializations.

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the College of Medicine are committed to academic excellence and quality of opportunity for students regardless of their background. The department intends that its graduates be fully competitive in their field. Research opportunities in the College of Medicine are rapidly expanding, and this situation creates a stimulating environment for potential investigators.

RESEARCH FACILITIES

Howard University has been designated a level I research institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It is one of only 88 universities in the nation, one of only 25 private universities, and the only historically black education institution with this ranking.

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is located in the Howard University College of Medicine. Well-equipped laboratories are available for cardiovascular, endocrine, neurophysiological, pulmonary, renal, and membrane biophysical research in the department as well as in the Howard University Hospital. In addition to the modern medical dental library, rapid interlibrary loan service with other institutional medical libraries is provided. The Department of Physiology and Biophysics also has its own library acquisition.

Howard University's financial aid program for graduate students provides assistance in the form of scholarships, fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, loans, grants and work-study assignments. [Students who need financial assistance may apply for aid from the University and federally supported programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment (202) 806-2800]. They also are encouraged to seek financial assistance from outside public and private sources.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers many types of financial aid in the form of tuition scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, and loans. Graduate, teaching research assistantships typically provide stipends of $8,000 per academic year, plus tuition remission for half-time duties within the departments. Some specialized fellowships and traineeships provide stipends ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 and payment of tuition and fees. Financial assistance is usually offered with the department of study. [Applications for financial assistance should be made to the department of interest].

COST OF STUDY

Full-time students enrolled for 9-15 hours pay a tuition of under $5,000 per semester. Part-time students pay a tuition rate $500 per credit hour. (All fees are subject to change).

The Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
College of Medicine
Howard University
520 W Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20059
(202) 806-6330

or

The Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Howard University
4th and College Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20059
(202) 806-7469