The Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs (IGPs) are a collaboration of four graduate programs at The Ohio State University:
- Biophysics
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB)
- Neuroscience (NGP)
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program (OSBP)
The Life Sciences IGPs are catalysts for innovation, originality and discovery. Students work side-by-side with faculty and postdocs from across the university, bringing together interdisciplinary teams focused on innovative research and original ideas that lead to transformative discoveries.
Biophysics
Program Directors: Drs. Gunjan Agarwal and Mark Foster
Program Manager: Kiley Morgan-Myrick
The Biophysics Graduate Program trains students to understand biological systems using the theories and methods of quantitative life science. More exactly, biophysics training involves using physics and its related sciences of physical chemistry, electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science to research basic biological questions. The research problems studied in biophysics often require probing samples with electromagnetic radiation from radio frequencies, X-rays, external forces, or magnetic fields and the development of quantitative models that explain the experimental observations. Biophysics offers a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to a multitude of undergraduate majors. Biophysics students actively participate in original research and develop fundamental
knowledge in the areas of biochemistry, biology, chemistry and physics.
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Program Directors: Drs. Anthony Brown and Dawn Chandler
Program Manager: Amanda Hargett
The Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program (MCDB) is a campus-wide interdisciplinary unit with faculty drawn from multiple departments within eight colleges (Medicine; Arts and Sciences; Veterinary Medicine; Pharmacy; Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science; Dentistry; Public Health; and Engineering). The coursework and research experiences of MCDB students are designed to provide cutting-edge training in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and closely related disciplines, such as biochemistry and genetics. Research training is very diverse. Multiple research focus areas, consisting of faculty with common research interests, exist within the program.
Neuroscience
Program Directors: Drs. Andy Fischer and Giles Plant
Program Manager: Mido Aly
The Neuroscience Graduate Program has participating faculty members who represent five different colleges and many participating university departments including Biosciences, Neuroscience, Neurology, Neurological Surgery, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Psychiatry. Our graduate trainees have the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative research environment at Ohio State with successful and distinguished faculty who have expertise in a wide array of neuroscience-related fields. Our goal is to provide an integrative graduate program in neuroscience with a foundation in course work, advanced research training, and a myriad of opportunities for professional development, networking and community outreach. We will help train you to become an independent investigator who is an expert in laboratory research and its associated scholarship such as writing, teaching, and mentoring. With this training, you will be well-positioned to excel as a researcher and neuroscientist within academia, industry, or government.
Ohio State Biochemistry Program
Program Directors: Dr. Chuck Bell
Program Manager: Lucy Omar
The Ohio State Biochemistry Program (OSBP) trains students to investigate the biochemical basis of life and disease. Students conduct original research in world-class laboratories with faculty interests from understanding fundamental biochemical pathways to dissecting molecular mechanisms that underlie human diseases. OSBP students become experts in a field of biochemistry, learn theoretical and practical aspects of biochemistry, conduct original research, gain skills in presenting their research, learn responsible research practices, and ultimately are capable of working in a broad range of careers.