Graduate Program

For more information, use the button below or contact the Graduate Program administrator at iphygrad@colorado.edu or 303-735-8195. Professor Ken Wright (Associate Chair of Graduate Affairs) can be contacted at kenneth.wright@colorado.edu.

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Introduction

The Department of Integrative Physiology offers a variety of graduate study opportunities that range from a coursework-only option to a research-intensive option. To facilitate maximal flexibility in the design of a student's program, the Department has established a minimum number of required courses that must be completed by all graduate students and the remainder of the program can be individualized to meet the long-term goals of the student. View list of Integrative Physiology graduate courses.

Careers

A graduate degree in Integrative Physiology provides opportunities for careers in academia, industry, and the health professions. The placement list of PhD and MS graduates indicates some of the jobs and educational programs that our graduate students have found after completion of the PhD or MS degree.

Degrees Offered

The graduate degrees offered are a Master of Science degree (MS) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD). The master's degree may be pursued on its own, or in combination with a bachelor's degree through the Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's program (see below).

Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Degree Program

Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's programs (BAMs) offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. The Department has developed a curriculum that allows both degrees to be completed in 5 years. Based on a comparison of GPAs, 3 to 5 students will be admitted to the program each year. The program is structured to ensure that students finish both degrees within the 5-year period. More information is available on the IPHY-BAM page and from Biology Advising.

Admission Requirements

Entering graduate students must have either an undergraduate preparation equivalent to the basic core course requirements in Integrative Physiology (see prerequisites below) at the University of Colorado or departmental approval of their academic preparation. GRE scores are no longer required for admission.

To begin study in the fall semester of a given academic year, the deadline for submission of graduate applications is December 1st for both domestic and international applicants. All application materials must be received by December 1 for your application to be considered complete. Individuals seeking admission to the doctoral program should secure a potential mentor from the Department's graduate faculty prior to completing the formal application process; this is also recommended, but not required, for applicants to the master's program.

For detailed information about the admission process, see Admission to the Graduate School.

Prerequisites

Entering graduate students must have an undergraduate preparation equivalent to the basic core course requirements in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado or departmental approval of their academic preparation for graduate study. The basic core requirements are:

1. An introductory statistics or research design course
2. Human physiology or comparative animal physiology/lecture and lab.

For graduate degree requirements, please visit the Graduate School application page.

Important information for Applicants

• The Integrative Physiology department offers multiple degree paths

  • Doctor of Philosophy (MS degree is not required for admission to PhD program)

  • Master of Science

    • Research track

    • Coursework Only track

      • If you are applying to the MS coursework only and are not interested in conducting research, note that in your application

  • Bachelor’s Accelerated Master’s (BAM)

    • You must already be an IPHY undergraduate to participate in this program

• We have a match system and if you are applying to the BAM, MS, MS/PhD or PhD to do research, you should identify and speak to faculty member(s) about the possibility of joining their lab(s) before you submit your application. Coursework only applicants do not need to identify a mentor.

• If you are interested in being mentored by a IPHY faculty member in the interdepartmental PhD program in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, you must be admitted to the IPHY PhD program and your mentor needs to be part of the interdepartmental PhD program.

Opportunities for Underrepresented Students

Students from underrepresented backgrounds that enter IPHY as PhD students are eligible for two years of summer Research Assistant support

The Colorado Advantage Graduate Preview Weekend (October 20-21, 2022) provides an opportunity for underrepresented students to preview the doctoral programs in IPHY and other CU Boulder Science, Technology, Engineering and Math departments. Application details may be found at the Colorado Advantage web page.

Department of Integrative Physiology Diversity Statement

The Department of Integrative Physiology (IPHY) defines inclusiveness as the active engagement with principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. The units, departments, and administration of the University of Colorado Boulder must collectively strive towards adhering to these principles which include top-down (administrative) and bottom-up (departments, units) approaches to achieving inclusive excellence. Inclusiveness, from IPHY’s perspective, is not defined as a concrete endpoint or threshold, but rather, a continuous and evolving process that is integrated into the department’s mission.

The IPHY department has been and continues to be committed to creating an environment consistent with the principles of inclusiveness. One aspect of inclusiveness is the sense of community that grows out of common experience. IPHY strives to provide an environment in which students feel welcome in the department, and can benefit from a sense of community.

IPHY is committed to inclusive excellence and diversity in our teaching, research, and service to the University and community at large. We aim to foster a diverse community through the participation of students, faculty, and staff from all groups in the department. We seek and encourage applications from outstanding individuals including, but not limited to, underrepresented minorities, underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals who identify as sexual orientation/gender minorities, and first generation college students. Diversity is highly valued by our scientific community as it provides innovative, balanced, and informed perspectives that enhances scientific productivity and fosters the growth of the scientific field.

Financial support

All applicants accepted in our program are automatically considered for teaching assistantship funding. There is no separate application for this funding as your faculty advisor will make the necessary request. Currently, it is typical for us to offer a 30% minimum appointment for MS students and a 50% appointment for PhD students. The level of appointment will be determined each semester based on the number of assignments available, the amount of funding available, the courses you are qualified to teach, and whether you have any additional RA support from your lab. Your lab mentor will determine your level of RA support, and the graduate faculty director will determine the level of TA appointment. All appointments include a monthly stipend, tuition remission, student fee coverage, and 91% of the cost of your Buff Gold insurance. See 2023/24 table below:

Summer teaching assistantships may also available. The Graduate School maintains an Awards page that lists several grants and fellowships available to graduate students at the University.  Also see the Curci Scholars program which provides scholarships to Ph.D. students in the life sciences, particularly (but not exclusively) international students.

Forms for Current Graduate Students

• Please reach out to Brandon Michieli brandon.michieli@colorado.edu or iphygrad@colorado.edu to initiate the form via DocuSign. The form will route to all appropriate signatories upon submission.
• Forms are available for:
  • Independent Study (MS and PhD)
  • Master's Research Project
  • Master's Thesis 
  • Doctoral Disseration Hours
  • Graduate Travel Awards
  • Travel Authorization Form