Professors: Benoit, Brown-Borg, Combs, Doze, Geiger (Chair), Ghribi, Haselton, Lei, Murphy, Picklo (Graduate Director), Porter, Rosenberger and Vari

Program Description

The mission of the Graduate Program of the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics is to train and educate students to become successful scientists by providing a rigorous academic foundation combined with cutting-edge biomedical research training. Our graduate program provides coursework and research opportunities leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. The research interests of our faculty cover a wide range of topics including aging, neurodegenerative disease, neurotoxicology, synaptic transmission, lipid metabolism, cardiovascular physiology, renal physiology and molecular pharmacology.

Active participation in Departmental activities such as journal discussion groups and seminars is an integral part of training and is expected of students.

Admission Requirements

1. Successful completion of two semesters or equivalent
   course in general chemistry, and courses in general biology, general physics, and organic chemistry.
   
   
2. Undergraduate courses in analytical chemistry, calculus, genetics, physiology, biochemistry and statistics are desirable.
   
   
3. Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
   
   
4. GRE scores on the General Test are required.
   
   
5. Graduate students may be admitted to either the M.S.
   program or directly to the Ph.D. program.
   
   
6. Students who elect to begin the M.S. program and later
   decide to pursue the Ph.D. before finishing the M.S. may do so by petitioning the Departmental Faculty. This action requires a GPA in accordance with the current academic catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students are advised to consult the current approved guidelines for additional requirements or changes.

Master of Science

The graduate requirements for a Master of Science in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics consist of required coursework and research leading to the preparation of a thesis. In addition to the general requirements listed in the Academic Catalog, the following must be completed by all candidates for the M.S. in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics.

Doctor of Philosophy

The graduate requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics consist of required coursework, satisfactorily passing the comprehensive exam, and research leading to the preparation of a dissertation. In addition to the general requirements listed in the Academic Catalog, the following must be completed by all candidates for the Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics.

Courses

BIMD 500. Cellular and Molecular Foundations of Biomedical Science. 6 credits. A series of lectures and discussion groups with emphasis on interrelated themes in basic biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. Lectures will include current and emerging areas of research, while discussion will center on methods, techniques and expansion of lecture topics. Fall semester. Prerequisites: (a) a year of organic chemistry or (b) one semester of organic chemistry plus a course in either biochemistry or cell biology, or (c) permission of the course director.

BIMD 510. Basic Biomedical Statistics. 2 credits. A series of lectures, demonstrations and exercises to provide students with the basic rationales for the use of statistics in the assessment of biomedical data and a selected set of the most common and useful statistical tests. Spring Semester.

BIMD 513. Seminars in Biomedical Science. 1 credit. A series of presentations on original research conducted by UND faculty members as well as extramural leaders in academic and industrial research in the biomedical sciences. Students will participate through assigned reading and writing exercises related to the presentations.

BIMD 515. Steps to Success in Graduate School. 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to the development of skills and experience important for successful completion of graduate training and transition to post graduate training and employment. Students will examine a variety of issues including choosing an advisor and research topic, charting their course through graduate school, the importance of productivity, how to give a scientific presentation and write a scientific publication, applying for predoctoral grants, and planning for their careers.

BIMD 516. Responsible Conduct of Research. 1 credit. A series of lectures and discussion sessions covering topics related to responsible conduct in research. Students will examine a variety of issues including introduction to ethical decision making, the experience of conflict, laboratory practices, data management, reporting of research, conflict of interest, and compliance. Examples and case studies will be drawn primarily from the biomedical sciences.

500. Principles of Physiology and Pharmacology. 6 credits. Prerequisites: BIMD 500 or consent of instructor. Graduate level survey course covering basic principles of human physiology and pharmacology. Material covered will include the physiology (how the body works) and the pharmacology (how drugs affect physiological functions) of the major organ systems. Covered also will be basic pharmacological principles including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and therapeutics. Teaching modalities used are designed to actively engage students in critical thinking and knowledge application.

503. Advanced Pharmacology or Physiology. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

505. Research Techniques. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

511. Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: BIMD 500, PPT 500 or consent of instructor. Fundamental concepts of pharmacology with emphasis on biochemical and molecular mechanisms.

512. Special Topics in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. 2 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. An in-depth coverage of a particular topic chosen by the instructor.

521. Seminar in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. 1 credit. S/U grading only.

525. Advanced Renal Physiology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

526. Advanced Respiratory Physiology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

527. Advanced Neurophysiology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

528. Advanced Endocrinology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

529. Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor.

530. Advanced Neurochemistry. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor. This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the discipline of neurochemistry. This course builds on concepts introduced in PPT 501, with an emphasis on brain biochemical processes occurring in health and disease.

535. Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Disorders. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PPT 500 or consent of instructor. This advanced course is designed for the graduate student who has a background in basic neuroscience. The course directive is to provide an overview of the more common neurodegenerative disorders and address the “state of the field” for each. The course emphasis will be upon pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and therapeutic options.

540. Molecular Neuropharmacology. 3 credits. Prerequisites: BIMD 500 or PPT 500 or consent of instructor. This advanced course is designed to introduce students to the latest developments in molecular neuropharmacology. It is intended for graduate students who have a background in pharmacology and/or basic neurophysiology. The course directive is to provide an up-to-date foundation for clinical neuroscience by emphasizing a comprehensive molecular and cellular approach to the effects of drugs on the nervous system.

590. Readings in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics.1 to 4 credits repeatable to a maximum of 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A supervised readings course on topics of mutual interest to the student and a faculty member. Consent of instructor required.

591. Research in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. Credits arranged.

998. Thesis. Credits arranged. Preparation and defense of a thesis based on original research. Consent of instructor required.

999. Dissertation. Credits arranged. Preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research. Consent of instructor required.