Master's Degree in Integrative Biology and Physiology

Admission to the IBP Master's program, plan C will depend on the following requirements:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with course work in the biological sciences.
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• International applicants whose native language is not English and have not received a degree from an institution in an English speaking country are required to supply proof of English language proficiency.  Here is the Graduate School site for approved methods.

All materials are submitted electronically through the UMN Graduate School application system.

You will need to provide:

1. A personal statement:  Applicant provides a person statement explaining what influences the decision to pursue a Master's degree.  How does this program align with career goals?
2. A curriculum vitae or resume.
3. Two letters of recommendation
4. Transcripts - unofficial transcripts can be uploaded; official transcripts will be request by the Graduate Admissions Office upon enrollment. (read more about transcripts from UMN Graduate School)
5. Scores for English proficiency for international students.  (Read more about information on English proficiency from the UMN Graduate School)
6. GRE scores are NOT required.
7. Fall start term only.
8. Please contact Jane Barnard with any questions about the application process & requirements ([email protected]).

Apply for a MS in Physiology

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Fellowships for prospective students

Student must complete 30 credits of course work to earn a Plan C (non thesis) master’s degree. The program is designed such that a full-time student can complete the degree in one calendar year (Fall – Spring – Summer Semesters). 

Required core courses:

• PHSL 5115: Clinical Physiology I
• PHSL 5116: Clinical Physiology II
• PHSL 5061:Principles of Physiology*

* = can be taken as an elective if an upper-level physiology systems course taken as an undergraduate,

Elective courses in Physiology/Anatomy

Take electives from the following list, or other courses in consultation with the program director, to complete the minimum (30) credit requirement.

• ANAT 5150 Human Gross Anatomy
• PHSL 4021 Advanced Physiology and Bioengineering: Bionic Human
• PHSL 4031 Physiology topics: Contemporary Discussions
• PHSL 5115 Clinical Physiology I
• PHSL 5116 Clinical Physiology II
• PHSL 5197 Stress Physiology
• PHSL 5211 Physiology of Inflammation and Disease
• PHSL 5221 Systems and computational Physiology
• PHSL 5444 Muscle
• PHSL 5510 Advanced Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology (meets first week in January)
• PHSL 5525 Anatomy and Physiology of Pelvis and Urinary System (Meets second week of January)
• PHSL 5702 Cell Physiology
• PHSL 8252 Obesity from molecules to the bedside (every other fall, even years)
• PHSL4242/8242 Professional Skills for Biomedical Scientists (every other summer, even years)

Examples of elective courses from other departments

• Biol 4003 Genetics
• Biol 4004 Cell Biology
• Biol 5701 Science Communication: a Primer for Scientists 2 credits (online)
• Bioc 4331 Biochem I structure, catalysis metabolism
• Bioc 4332 Biochem II Signal transduction and gene expression
• Bioc 6021 Biochemistry
• Bioc 5216 Current topics in Signal Transduction
• GCD 5036 Molecular Cell Biology
• MicB 4131 Immunology (good pre-req for Phsl 5211)
• PUBH 6414 Biostatistical Literacy
• PUBH 6450 Biostatistics I
• PUBH 6451 Biostatistics II

Many other 5000+ level Public Health (course designation PUBH) courses to choose from and  several great courses in Neuroscience, Immunology, Biochemistry, Biostatistics, among many others.