MA in Physiology and Biophysics in Boston United States | Boston University

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine offers programs leading to the PhD or MA in Physiology or Biophysics. Each program stresses laboratory training and original research performed under the direction of a faculty member, as well as satisfactory performance in graduate coursework.

In the first and second years of both the PhD and MA programs, a core curriculum of Foundations in Biomedical Sciences courses is supplemented with biophysics and physiology. The program emphasizes flexibility and individual choice. In the first year, students do research rotations in the laboratories of 23 (MA) or 34 (PhD) faculty members to gain firsthand knowledge of a variety of research areas.

At the end of the first year, students select a degree advisor and continue research toward the MA or PhD degree. In the second year students continue to take courses and PhD students must pass a qualifying exam. Throughout their training, students also participate in a weekly department seminar series and report their research progress annually at a student seminar day.

Learning Outcomes
All students graduating with the PhD in Physiology or Biophysics from the Chobanian & Avedisian SOM are expected to:

Generate an original body of work in the biomedical sciences that reflects critical thinking and independent thought.
Demonstrate competencies in advanced research skills.
Develop the ability to communicate in both written and oral methods within their chosen field of expertise with both specialists and nonexperts.
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continued learning in their chosen field.
All students graduating with the MA in Physiology or Biophysics from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine are expected to:

Generate an original body of work or a library thesis in physiology or biophysics that reflects critical thinking and independent thought.
Demonstrate competencies in research skills or library research skills.
Develop the ability to communicate through written documents within their chosen field of expertise with both specialists and nonexperts.
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continued learning in their chosen field.