PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION

The NCSU Physiology Graduate Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to graduate training in physiology. Faculty from a variety of disciplines combine to offer a flexible program with many opportunities that can be adapted to meet the needs of the individual student. The principal participating colleges, the College Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) encompass several departments including Animal Science, Entomology, Poultry Science, Zoology (CALS) and Population Health and Pathobiology, Clinical Sciences and Molecular Biomedical Sciences (CVM). However, faculty members from departments in other Colleges are involved. Research topics extend in breadth and depth to involve a variety of organisms including laboratory animals, livestock, horses, poultry, fish, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and companion animals. The diversity of the program facilitates the construct of a curriculum of study that can emphasize basic and/or applied aspects of animal physiology. As an inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental program, applications for admissions are made directly to The Graduate School and not to an individual college or department.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Deadlines for Financial Aid Consideration (in particular stipend awards from the College of Veterinary Medicine) for the fall semester

January 15 for US citizens and international applicants

Graduate School Deadlines

DEGREES OFFERED

Master of Science (MS)

Master of Physiology (MOP), non thesis

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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). The GRE score should be a minimum of 1000 for the verbal and quantitative sections combined.

4.     Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if applicant's first language is not English. The total score should be at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT); individual minimums for each of the sections can be found on the Graduate school website. TOEFL 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; a copy can be forwaded to the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program.

How to Apply:
Prospective students are must submit their application online through the Graduate School Online Application web site.

Complete all forms following the instructions provided.

Indicate Physiology in the Desired Major section. Leave the Department and College sections blank as the program is inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental.

The Graduate School requires payment of a $65.00 application fee for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $75.00 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:

The Graduate School
North Carolina State University
Room 240, Research Building III
1005 Capability Drive
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, NC 27695
USA

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

Non-electronic Reference Letters, Resumes, or CV documents should be sent to the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program, who will arrange for their uploading into the Graduate School system, at: 

Dr. Paul Mozdziak
Director, Physiology Graduate Program
North Carolina State University
Scott Hall 134, Box 7608
Raleigh, NC 27695
Phone 919-515-5544
Fax 919-515-2625
pemozdzi@unity.ncsu.edu

ADMISSIONS

Selection of Graduate Students
Admissions applications must be submitted online at http://www.ncsu.edu/applygrad Official transcripts must be sent to The Graduate School. Applications should not be sent to individual departments, faculty, or the Director of the Physiology Graduate Program. After the completed application is received/accessed by the Graduate Student Services 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 applicant's applicability 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 already, a summary of the applicant's credentials will be distributed to the Physiology Graduate Faculty.

Acceptance does not indicate nor imply admission to the Physiology Program.

A student will not be formally accepted for a degree program unless a member of the Physiology Graduate Faculty has agreed to serve as the student's advisor or mentor. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with potential advisors during the admissions process.

Departmental Affiliation
Graduate students will be affiliated with the department of their major professor.

Assistantships
Research and Teaching Assistantships for the MS and PhD degree tracks are very competitive and appointments are for nine- to twelve-month periods. These are provided and administered by the participating departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The College of Veterinary Medicine provides a number of stipends to support graduate students advised by CVM faculty in graduate programs associated with the CVM, such as the Physiology Program. These stipends are highly competitive and are available for only one year. Subsequently, the advisor is required to obtain continued funding from external grant support.

NO funding is provided by the interdisciplinary interdepartmental Physiology Graduate Program.

Financial support is NOT provided for students in the Master of Phisiology MOP, non-thesis program.

Information about the Graduate Student Support Plan, relating to 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 Post Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) classification. The PBS classification is designed for U. S. citizens or permanent residents who wish to undertake academic work beyond the Bachelor's 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 PBS classification. The following rules apply to students who wish to register for PBS.

Please note that the following are university minimum requirements. Some departments may have more requirements.

1. All must have Bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions of higher education. Registration is through the Division of Continuing Studies.
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. 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. 400-level courses taken in PBS status are not transferable into a graduate degree program.
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 Graduate Program. The director is chosen from the Physiology Graduate Faculty for a three year term. The current director is:

Dr. Paul Mozdziak
Director, Physiology Graduate Program
North Carolina State University
Scott Hall 134, Box 7608
Raleigh, NC 27695
Phone 919-515-5544
Fax 919-515-2625
pemozdzi@unity.ncsu.edu

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://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/studentservices/

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/sma
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/

Return to Top

RALEIGH - PLACES, RECREATION, ACTIVITIES

Raleigh Virtual Tour
http://www.raleighcvb.org/visit/thingstodo.html
Things to See & Do in Raleigh
http://www.raleighcvb.org/thingstodo.html



Return to Top

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