# 2026-2027 Course Catalog
**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/molecular-integrative-physiology-ms/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/
*for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular & Integrative Physiology*
---
**The Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology (MIP) does not admit students to the Molecular & Integrative Physiology MS degree program**. Admission to graduate study is only through the PhD degree program. Information about the Molecular & Integrative Physiology degree PhD program can be found on the [program's catalog page](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/molecular-integrative-physiology-phd/).
---
## **Graduate Degree Program in Molecular & Integrative Physiology**
- [Molecular & Integrative Physiology, PhD](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/molecular-integrative-physiology-phd/)
The PhD program in molecular and integrative physiology is designed to provide individualized training in preparation for research and teaching careers in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology. The objective of the training is to produce scientists who are technically competent and broadly educated. Students interested in the MIP PhD program must apply directly to the [School of Molecular and Cellular Biology](https://mcb.illinois.edu/departments/molecular-integrative-physiology/pursue-phd-molecular-integrative-physiology). During the first semester, students perform three laboratory rotations, choosing from any laboratory in the School. Students select a laboratory for their thesis research in December and formally join the appropriate graduate program at that time.
---
## **Admission**
Applicants interested in the Molecular & Integrative Physiology PhD program will need to apply directly to the [School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) PhD program](https://mcb.illinois.edu/departments/molecular-integrative-physiology/pursue-phd-molecular-integrative-physiology). The MCB PhD program is an umbrella program that requires admitted students to spend their first semester rotating among three different labs to explore their interests before joining one of our four departments.
MCB Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher (A = 4.0), prior research experience, and three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic and research background. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is **not** required. Applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in Molecular & Integrative Physiology should have a strong background in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition to these requirements, non-native English speaking applicants must attain a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) overall score of 96, with a score of at least 22 on the speaking section. MCB does **not** accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to show English proficiency. Graduate College requirements also apply.
*for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular & Integrative Physiology*
---
**The Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology does not admit students to the Molecular & Integrative Physiology MS degree program.** Admission to graduate study is only through the PhD degree program. Information about the Molecular & Integrative Physiology degree PhD program can be found [here](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/molecular-integrative-physiology-phd/). For additional details and requirements refer to the [Department's Student Guide](http://mcb.illinois.edu/departments/mip/gradstudentguide.html)and the [Graduate College Handbook](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/gradhandbook).
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [MCB 401](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20401 "MCB 401") & [MCB 402](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20402 "MCB 402") | Cellular Physiology and Sys & Integrative Physiology (College of Medicine M1 Physiology, both semesters, or equivalent, or proficiency exam.) | 6 |
| [MCB 501](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20501 "MCB 501") | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| [MCB 502](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20502 "MCB 502") | Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| [MCB 509](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20509 "MCB 509") | Curr Topics Mol & Int Physiol | 2 |
| [MCB 580](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20580 "MCB 580") | Res Ethics & Responsibilities | 1 |
| Six credit hours taken from the department's Course Menu. See Course List tab. | | 6 |
| Required registration in [MIP 595](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MIP%20595 "MIP 595") each semester until passing the qualifying exam | | 0-8 |
| [MCB 581](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20581 "MCB 581") & [MCB 582](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20582 "MCB 582") & [MCB 583](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20583 "MCB 583") | Laboratory Rotation I and Laboratory Rotation II and Laboratory Rotation III | 9 |
| Total Hours | | 32 |
**Other Requirements**
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum Number of 500-level Hours Required Overall in Program: | 12 |
| Students whose native language is other than English are required to have passed the SPEAK test before taking the Qualifying Examination. | |
| Passing the qualifying exam is required. | |
| All core courses must be completed with grades of B or above. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
*for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular & Integrative Physiology*
---
## Department Course Menu
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lecture Format | | |
| [MCB 400](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20400 "MCB 400") | Cancer Cell Biology | 3 |
| [MCB 408](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20408 "MCB 408") | Immunology | 3 |
| [MCB 410](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20410 "MCB 410") | Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine | 3 |
| [MCB 413](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20413 "MCB 413") | Endocrinology | 3 |
| [MCB 419](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20419 "MCB 419") | Brain, Behavior & Info Process | 3 |
| [MCB 431](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20431 "MCB 431") | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| [MCB 432](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20432 "MCB 432") | Computing in Molecular Biology | 3 |
| [MCB 442](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20442 "MCB 442") | Comparative Immunobiology | 4 |
| [MCB 461](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20461 "MCB 461") | Cell & Molecular Neuroscience | 3 |
| [MCB 462](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20462 "MCB 462") | Integrative Neuroscience | 3 |
| [MCB 571](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20571 "MCB 571") | Bioinformatics | 4 |
| [MCB 480](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20480 "MCB 480") | Eukaryotic Cell Signaling | 3 |
| [MCB 493](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20493 "MCB 493") | Special Topics Mol Cell Biol (Human Metabolic Disease) | 1 to 4 |
| [ECE 480](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ECE%20480 "ECE 480") | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 3 or 4 |
| [ANSC 445](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ANSC%20445 "ANSC 445") | Statistical Methods | 4 |
| [ANSC 542](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ANSC%20542 "ANSC 542") | Applied Bioinformatics | 4 |
| Journal-Club Format | | |
| [MCB 530](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20530 "MCB 530") | Reproductive Physiol Seminar | 1 |
| Laboratory Format | | |
| [BIOC 455](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=BIOC%20455 "BIOC 455") | Technqs Biochem & Biotech | 4 |
| [ECE 415](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ECE%20415 "ECE 415") | Biomedical Instrumentation Lab | 2 |
| These courses need to be approved to count: | | |
| [MCB 493](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20493 "MCB 493") | Special Topics Mol Cell Biol | |
| [MCB 529](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MCB%20529 "MCB 529") | Special Topics in Cell and Developmental Biology | |
| [NEUR 520](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=NEUR%20520 "NEUR 520") | Advanced Topics in Neuroscience | |
| MIP Seminars in Physiology | | |
*for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular & Integrative Physiology*
---
1. Acquire in-depth, leading-edge knowledge of physiological function at multiple levels of biological organization spanning molecular, cellular, tissue and organismal levels.
2. Learn the skills and methodologies of scientific inquiry necessary to conduct original, independent research in physiology that expands the frontiers of knowledge in the field.
3. Develop the professional skills for responsible conduct of research and embody the ethical principles necessary to behave with honesty, integrity, objectivity, and respect in all professional interactions.
4. To develop effective scientific literacy skills necessary to read, write, critique, and analyze a wide range of written materials, including primary scientific literature, review articles, grant proposals, and teaching materials.
5. To become an effective oral communicator of scientific information in multiple settings, including individual and small group discussions, seminars, classroom instruction, and public engagement.
*for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular & Integrative Physiology*
---
## **Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology**
Head of Department: Claudio Grosman\
Director of Graduate Studies: Catherine Christian-Hinman\
[Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department website](https://mcb.illinois.edu/departments/molecular-integrative-physiology)\
524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801\
(217) 333-1735\
[mcb-grad@illinois.edu](mailto:mcb-grad@illinois.edu)
## **College of Liberal Arts & Sciences**
[College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website](https://las.illinois.edu/)
### **School of Molecular & Cellular Biology**
[School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website](http://mcb.illinois.edu/)
### **Admissions**
[Overview of MCB Admissions Requirements](https://mcb.illinois.edu/graduate/gradprospect)\
[Graduate College Admissions & Requirements](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply)