Curriculum Guide

Academic Advice  Each pre-candidate (PIBS, MIP, MSTP) student meets with the Graduate Program Chair at least once a year, before the Fall Term, to discuss course work, lab rotations, student seminars, preparations for the Preliminary Exam and overall performance. These meetings facilitate initial course selection as well as smooth and efficient transition from the first PIBS year or MSTP into the MIP Program. The flexibility and individualized nature of MIP training allows some overlap with courses required by other PIBS programs during the first year. At least once a year, the MIP Graduate Program Chair meets with all MIP students to review transcripts, lab rotation or dissertation committee reports, and Preliminary Examination results and discuss overall progress. 

Course Selection  Courses are selected and scheduled individually for each student in consultation with the MIP Graduate Chair. To provide each MIP student with common background, the Graduate Program requires coursework in the areas of systems and integrative physiology, cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics and biochemistry. Most of these courses are completed during the first (PIBS) year. Elective courses provide further intensive preparation in the various areas according to each student's interests and research specialization. In addition, MIP students have at least two research rotations, participate in the weekly MIP student seminar course, take a PIBS course covering various interdisciplinary topics, and satisfy a teaching requirement. 

Prior to achieving candidacy, each student enrolls for a minimum of 9 credits (formal coursework plus research credits) in each of the Fall and Winter terms. Students should consult the MIP Graduate Chair to determine the number of credits for which they should enroll in each term. 

Required Courses  Students interested in MIP are encouraged to take as many requirements as is feasible in the first year to allow more time for focused research and course selection in the second year. 

Selected Course Descriptions  For a full listing of course descriptions, please consult the PIBS Curriculum Guide.

Students entering through PIBS or directly through Rackham: PIBS Courses PIBS 503 – Research Responsibility and Ethics
PIBS 600 – Laboratory Rotations (minimum of two) 

Research Responsibilities and Ethics (PIBS 503)  In 6 weeks of the fall term, beginning in September and finishing in October, the Program in Biomedical Sciences coordinates a series of meetings in which issues in research responsibility and scientific ethics are explored through a mix of podcasts, panel discussions, informal debates and small group meetings conducted by 10-12 volunteer faculty. Small group discussions are focused on the podcasts, panel discussions and case studies. The course meets 2 hours per week (12 hours total). All PIBS students take this ethics training, but a limited number of graduate and MSTP students and postdoctoral fellows can also take the 6 week course. The enrollment of PIBS 503 will be a maximum of 170 students and postdoctoral fellows. Postdoctoral fellows take this course as part of their RRE requirement and do not take the course for credit.

Laboratory Rotations (PIBS 600)  During the first year, each student participates in research immediately upon entering the University and completes at least two laboratory rotations (half term and summer rotations can be arranged). Students interested in MIP must complete at least one rotation with an MIP faculty member. The duration of a laboratory rotation is generally one full term, although half term and summer rotations may be desired. Rotations are arranged with permission of the mentors. The student receives academic credit for each rotation by enrolling in PIBS 600 for a number of hours arranged in consultation with the sponsoring faculty member and Graduate Program Chair. The laboratory rotations should be completed during the first 10 months of enrollment and must be completed prior to the selection of a dissertation mentor. Students may choose to do more than two rotations before selecting a mentor. New students are urged to become acquainted with research interests of the MIP departmental faculty. Faculty new to MIP present their research at "New Faculty" luncheons coordinated by PIBS. Valuable sources of information are the student posters and talks presented at the annual Fall Research Forum. Students also learn about MIP faculty research in private discussions, public seminars, research presentations, student presentations in PHYSIOL 606, and in literature surveys.

MIP Student Seminar (PHYSIOL 606) The goal of the Student Seminar is to improve the critical thinking and public speaking of graduate students in Molecular and Integrative Physiology.  This course will provide students with the opportunity to present data, critique the scientific literature, and develop the ability to provide constructive criticism to their peers.  Students present a critical review of a topic from the current scientific literature or from their own research once each term.  Second year Physiology graduate students are required to enroll, first year PIBS students interested in a degree in Molecular and Integrative Physiology are invited to register or audit the course.  The Physiology Graduate Student Representatives in consultation with the Physiology Graduate Chair coordinate the program, establish ground-rules and organize the schedule for each term.  The Seminar is graded pass/fail on the basis of participation and presentations.

Academic Standards  MIP graduate students are required to satisfy the standards of academic performance established by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Students should consult the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies to become familiar with those standards. Rackham standards include maintaining an overall average grade of B. In addition, the MIP Graduate Program has established the following policy regarding academic standards: students must obtain a grade of B or better in courses required by the MIP Graduate Program. Obtaining a grade lower than B will require remedial action as determined by the course director and/or the Graduate Committee.