May 16, 2025  
Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog

Physiology and Biophysics, PhD


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Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Biophysics

Chairperson: Thomas W. White, BST Level 5, Room 147 (631) 444-9683
PhD Graduate Program Director: Raafat El-Maghrabi, Basic Science Tower T6, Room 170 (631) 444-3049
Graduate Program Administrator: Odalis Hernandez, (631) 444-2299

Department Website

 

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics offers a program of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The broad interests of our faculty provide diverse research opportunities ranging from systems physiology, to translational cancer research and single molecule biophysics. Our goal is to instruct students in the use of quantitative methods to study complex physiological problems of relevance to human health and disease.

The Department’s principal areas of research specialization are 1) Ion channel and gap junction Biophysics, with emphasis on cardiology and vision; 2) Intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms in cancer and neurobiology; 3). Physiology at the cellular, organ, and intact animal levels with emphasis on transgenic models of disease; 4) Fluorescence microscopy with the largest concentrations of microscopy equipment at Stony Brook University.

Our curriculum is based on a foundation in Human Physiology with additional advanced courses in Statistical Methods, Biochemistry and the physical chemistry of Biomembranes. Through elective coursework in Applied Mathematics, Genetics, Neurobiology or Journalism students can tailor their training to their career goals. Students from our program have gone on to careers in academic and industrial research, government service and law.

Admission Requirements


Application Website

The minimum requirements for admission to The Ph.D program in Physiology & Biophysics are a Bachelor’s Degree with a Major in the Physical or Biological sciences. Successful applicants have a grade point average of 3.25/4.0 or higher for their undergraduate curriculum, with special emphasis on coursework within the major. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are no longer required for our program, but a strong performance on the GRE will reflect positively on your application. Students for whom English is not their native language, must established English proficiency based on the results of your TOEFL or IELTS examinations. Applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation that can speak to the student’s academic and research performance. Preference is given to students with previous research experience. Students who do not meet these qualifications are encouraged to seek admission to our Master’s program for additional preparation.

Degree Requirements


In addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, the following are required:

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