The Department of Biological Sciences offers a rigorous and intellectually driven PhD program that aspires to train scientists suited for careers in research and teaching. Students are trained to achieve academic excellence by triggering their innate curiosity and by gaining an appreciation for the rigor of the scientific method. This program provides excellent training in modern biology suitable for careers in academia, industry, and government.Our graduate program in biological sciences offers unique opportunities for rigorous training in an intellectually driven and multidisciplinary research program. Students can select from our diverse research portfolio spanning Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Physiology. Our graduates find success in careers across Academia, Industry, and Government. The major endeavor of any student is the research that culminates in a dissertation or thesis. This research must be original and meet the highest standards of quality and thoroughness. The breadth of the department provides a diversity of research fields from which to choose.To help in determining the best fit of student and mentor, first-year students do three laboratory rotations. During the rotations, students are temporary members of the laboratories whose research appears to be of greatest interest to them. Before the end of the student's second semester, an advisor who guides both research and selection of coursework is chosen by mutual agreement between faculty and student. The relatively small size of the research groups in this department allows students to interact closely with the faculty. Manuscripts arising from dissertation research are published in highly-respected peer reviewed journals.The primary focus of this emphasis group is on muscle, nerve, and epithelial physiology with formal course work in these disciplines emphasizing molecular, cellular, and systemic physiology. The goal is for our students to obtain an in depth knowledge base in physiology while appreciating and being able to incorporate molecular techniques into their research programs. Students will learn whole organ and single cell physiology techniques. Areas of current interest include osmoregulation, epithelial transport, ion channel structure and function, smooth, skeletal, and heart muscle physiology, neurobiology of locomotion, signal transduction, cell motility, energetics, and exercise physiology.