Picture of grads in coats at the white coat ceremony

Molecular & Integrative Physiology Master's Program Tracks

The program starts in late August or early September. Coursework Track students finish by late April, while Research Track students may finish by August. 

To earn an MS degree in Physiology on the Research Track, students will enroll for the Fall, Winter, and Spring or Summer half-term, concluding in mid-June or August, and engage in lab (list of potential mentors) work.

An “early start” option is available for Research Track students. Starting lab work before the Fall term can expedite completion; for example, a July 1 start might allow for a mid-June finish, while an August 1 start might result in a mid-July completion.

Coursework Track

Required Physiology Courses:

Required Non-Physiology Courses:
These courses are required if you have never taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course or if you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received less than or equal to a C+ grade. If you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received a B grade or better, you will instead be required to select an elective from the MS Program list of approved courses.

Required Physiology Courses:

Required Non-Physiology Courses:
These courses are required if you have never taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course or if you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received less than or equal to a C+ grade. If you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received a B grade or better, you will instead be required to select an elective from the MS Program list of approved courses.

When offered and available.

FALL TERM:

WINTER TERM:

Course Offerings

If you are not a current U-M student or recent alumni, hyperlinks may not be available to you. For your convenience, we have included the information for most courses in a pdf document posted in a Dropbox folder.

Resources for Applicants

Research Track

Students must spend at least 10-11 months in a laboratory and present an oral and written research thesis. Starting lab work before the Fall term can expedite completion; for example, a July 1 start might allow for a mid-June finish, while an August 1 start might result in a mid-July completion.

Research Track students must complete:

  • 6 credits of independent research in the Fall term
  • 8 credits of independent research in the Winter term
  • Present thesis during the Spring or Summer term

All courses, both required and elective, must be taken for a letter grade if that option is available. Any exceptions, such as opting for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading scheme, require prior approval from the Program Directors and Advisor, and this must be obtained before the registration period for that semester.

Required Physiology Courses:

Additional Program Requirements:

Required Non-Physiology Courses:
These courses are required if you have never taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course or if you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received less than or equal to a C+ grade. If you have taken an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course and received a B grade or better, you will instead be required to select an elective from the MS Program list of approved courses.

Required Physiology Courses:

When offered and available.

FALL TERM:

WINTER TERM:

Mentors & Projects for Research Track

Examples of research projects that may be available to research track students.

Explore research projects