PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION

The NCSU Physiology Graduate Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to graduate training in physiology. Faculty from a variety of disciplines combined to offer a flexible program with many opportunities that can be adapted to meet the needs of an individual student. Participating colleges include the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College Agriculture and Life Sciences encompassing several departments including Animal Science, Entomology, Poultry Science, Zoology, Farm Animal Health and Resource Management, the Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences, and Radiology, and the Department of Psychology. Research topics cover a wide-range of areas and involve a variety of organisms including laboratory animals, livestock, poultry, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and companion animals. The diversity of the program allows the student the opportunity to structure a curriculum of study that can emphasize basic and/or applied aspects of animal physiology. As an inter-college and inter-departmental program, applications for admissions are made to The Graduate School and not to an individual college or department.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

DEGREES OFFERED

Master of Science (M.S.)

Master of Physiology (M.O.P.), non thesis

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Application to the Graduate School
All applications for admission to the Physiology Graduate Program must be made through The Graduate School. Admission to graduate programs at NC State University is competitive. Selection depends on evaluation of each student's preparation, ability and potential to engage in graduate work.

Minimum Academic Requirements
Admission to full graduate standing requires at least the following:

1.     Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

2.     B average (3.0 GPA) in the undergraduate degree or latest graduate degree program.

3.     Graduate Record Examination scores. (MCAT scores cannot substitute for the GRE – no exceptions to this policy)

4.     Test of English as a Foreign Language scores if applicant's first language is not English.  THIS IS REQUIRED OF ALL APPLICANTS WITH A FOREIGN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE, including US Permanent residents.

5.     Three references from people who know applicant's academic record and potential for graduate study.

6.     Statement of purpose and career goals.

7.     A complete CV or Resume sent to the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program.

How to Apply:
Prospective students are encouraged to submit their application online through the Graduate School Online Application web site. For paper applications, download the appropriate application packet from the NC State University Graduate School web site.

Complete all forms following the instructions provided. In the Desired Major section, you will need to indicate Physiology. The Department and College sections can be left blank because the program is inter-departmental and inter-college.

The Graduate School requires payment of a $55 application fee for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $65 for Non-Resident Aliens. Your application will not be processed until the application fee is received by the Graduate School.

Application Fees, Official Transcripts, GRE Scores and Residence Form (only if claiming NC state residency) should be sent directly to:

Graduate School Admissions Office
Box 7102 North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7102
USA

Do not send paper applications to individual departments, faculty, or the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program.

The non-electronic Reference Letters, Resumes, or CV documents should be sent to the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program at: 

Dr. Malcolm C. Roberts  
Director Physiology Graduate Program
Professor of Equine Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University
4700 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27606-1499
Phone 919-513-6248
Fax 919-513-6464 

ADMISSIONS

Selection of Graduate Students
A student indicating an interest in graduate study in physiology will be considered after submission of an application to The Graduate School. Applications should not be sent to individual departments, faculty, or the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program. Upon receipt of a completed application from the Graduate School, including two copies of all official transcripts from recognized institutions of higher education, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, and three letters of recommendation, the Physiology Graduate Program Admissions Committee will evaluate the acceptability of the applicant and make a recommendation to the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program. If an applicant is deemed acceptable for admission and a faculty mentor has not been identified, a summary of the applicant's credentials will be distributed to the Physiology Faculty. Please note: a student will not be formally accepted for a degree program unless a member of the Physiology Faculty has agreed to serve as the student's advisor/mentor. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with potential advisors during the admissions process.

Departmental Affiliation
Graduate students will be departmentally oriented and affiliated. The student will reside in the department of his or her major professor.

Assistantships
Research and Teaching Assistantships for the M.S. and Ph.D. degree tracks are very competitive and appointments are for nine- to twelve-month periods. These are provided and administered by the participating Departments. Funding will not normally be provided by the Physiology Program. Consultation with the student's potential advisor/mentor is highly recommended. Assistantships are not provided for the M.O.P., non-thesis, degree track.

Information about the Graduate Student Support Plan, which deals with health insurance and tuition wavers for those on an assistantship, can be accessed at the NC State Graduate Admissions web site.  
 

POST-BACCALAUREATE  STUDIES (PBS) CREDIT RULES

Many students apply to the Physiology Program while registered in PBS classification. The Post‑Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) classification is designed for U. S. citizens or permanent residents who wish to undertake academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. This classification is not open to international students with the exception of the spouse of a regularly enrolled NC State student. In special cases where students are sponsored by an agency of the U. S. government for specialized, non‑degree study, approval may be given by the Graduate School for registration in the Post‑Baccalaureate Studies classification. The following rules apply to students who wish to register for PBS:

1. All must have baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions of higher education. Registration is through the Division of Lifelong Education.
2. All classes taken for credit by PBS students will be graded in the usual manner that applies for the particular course (A+ through F or S,U). All courses taken at NC State will appear on the student's transcript.
3. If the student is admitted as a graduate student, a maximum of twelve (12) hours of 500 level or higher courses only may apply toward the minimum university requirement of the degree (i.e., 30 credit hours) for which the student is enrolled, including hours approved for graduate credit while classified as a senior, unclassified undergraduate or professional engineering student. 400 level courses taken in PBS status are not transferable into a graduate degree. The first twelve (12) hours of course work taken at the graduate level in the PBS category will be accepted toward degree requirements unless a request for some other combination of twelve (12) hours is made by the students advisory committee and approved by the Graduate Dean.
4. If a student’s graduate degree program is terminated, he/she cannot use courses taken in PBS status after termination for credit toward the same graduate degree program.
5. The grade point average (GPA) of a graduate student who has credits in the PBS category will be based on all courses taken at the 400‑800 level. However, no course taken six (6) years prior to graduation from a program can be used to meet the requirements for a later graduate degree at NC State.
6. Registration is limited to a maximum of two courses per semester. Individuals who are employed fulltime should limit their PBS registrations to one course per semester.
7. The PBS classification carries with it no implication that the student will be admitted to the Graduate School in any degree classification.
8. All course work accepted for degree credit must be approved by the student's advisory committee as being germane to the program. Requests for degree credit for courses completed in the PBS classification are considered after admission to a graduate degree program when the student's Plan of Graduate Work is filed with the Graduate School.  
9. PBS students are expected to familiarize themselves with Graduate School  and departmental policies and to seek further advice or clarification as needed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Program Administration
The Student Services Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine serves as the administrative center for the Physiology Graduate Program. The CVM Student Services is responsible for student-related administrative tasks of the Physiology Graduate Program, and coordinates a variety of academic services for physiology graduate students. General information and specific inquiries regarding application materials can be obtained from the Graduate Student Services Assistant:

The Director of the Physiology Program certifies the acceptance of applicants to the Master of Science, Master of Physiology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees upon recommendation of the Admissions Committee.  In addition, the director advises the administration on courses, proposals, and other matters germane to the Physiology program.  A director is chosen from the current Physiology Graduate Faculty every three years.  The current director is:

Dr. Malcolm C. Roberts  
Director Physiology Graduate Program
Professor of Equine Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University
4700 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27606-1499
Phone 919-513-6248
Fax 919-513-6464 

RESOURCES/LINKS FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN    GRADUATE STUDY AT NC STATE

Financial aid - Students accepted into a graduate program at NC State are eligible for financial support from a number of sources. Most students are supported by their mentor.  Often the student is supported by a research assistantship from the research advisor's grant. More information about financial support can be found at http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_financialService/
Housing - Information pertaining to housing available at NC State can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/housing/ . General information regarding housing in the Raleigh area can be found at http://www.aptbook.com/.
Student Services - http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/student_services/

CAMPUS LIFE AT NC STATE

Campus cinema
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/films/
NC State Bookstores
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsubookstores/
Student publications and other media
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_media.html
NC State Varsity Sports
http://athletics.ncsu.edu/
Visual/Performing Arts
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/Arts/
NC State Women's Center
http://www.ncsu.edu/womens_center/
Student Health Services
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/health/
NC State Transportation
http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/trans/
Counseling Center
http://www2.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/counseling_center/

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NCSU Physiology Graduate Program

c/o Graduate Student Services

College of Veterinary Medicine

NC State University

4700 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27606

Phone: (919) 513-6448

Email: cvm_grad@ncsu.edu