Physiology is the study of the functions and activities of life and living matter at all levels of organization within an organism. While physiology research is frequently at the molecular level, the tradition of the discipline challenges the researcher to consider all homeostatic and developmental functions of an organism. This tradition can guide research efforts seeking to identify causes of disease and critical physiological functions possessing therapeutic and health-promoting opportunities. The Medical Physiology program focuses on the research experience of the thesis track but in special circumstances will consider applications to the non-thesis track.

Thesis track:

The thesis work of a student in the thesis track will be conducted under the guidance of a Master's Student Thesis Committee, which shall consist of at least:

• The student's adviser who shall chair the committee and be a tenure-track member of the MPHY Graduate Committee.
• The student's thesis mentors if not the same faculty member as the adviser.
• One additional tenure-track faculty member of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics.
• One additional tenure-track faculty member.