MS in Medical Physiology
Program Overview Heading link
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Medical Physiology (MSMP) is an intensive, full-time one-year program with an emphasis on human physiology, clinical applications of physiology, gross anatomy, neuroscience, stem cells, and exposure to the latest literature and research in physiology. Graduates of the program will be prepared to continue studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other medical professions, or pursue careers in teaching, regulatory oversight, basic or clinical research in academic or pharmaceutical settings.
Classes will be taught primarily by faculty in the College of Medicine. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in medical physiology and anatomy that will serve our students well in their professional school careers. The program does not offer any guarantees regarding interviews or admissions to the UIC medical school, however, with successful completion of the program, the past students have had good success in achieving their professional school goals (see program outcomes below).
Contact our graduate team with questions or for an informal conversation at msmp@uic.edu
The MSMP Curriculum prepared me for the rigors of an MD program and as a future physician scientist.
Philip Ostrov
2017 Medical Physiology Graduate
2022 UIC Medical School Graduate
Apply Heading link
Domestic students must apply by July 15th, although it is recommended to submit your application and supporting documents as early as possible. International applicants must apply by April 1st. Classes begin August 25th, 2025.
Contact msmp@uic.edu with any questions.
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Anticipated cost of the program for 2024-2025
Anticipated cost is about $22,720.00 (in-state) plus fees and $36,510.00 (out-of-state) plus fees. MS Medical Physiology students are not eligible for departmental funding. Anticipated cost may change for the 2025-2026 academic year.
For more information about graduate tuition and fees, please visit the registrar’s website.
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Undergraduate Degree and Test Score Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in the chemical/physical/biological sciences or a pre-med program (or similar degree)
- GPA: At least 3.0/4.0 cumulative for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate studies and at least 3.0/4.0 in science courses. These are the minimum requirements- in most cases, admitted students will have higher GPA’s
- MCAT, GRE or DAT- Competitive scores: MCAT: 65% or higher; GRE: 60% in each sub-score or higher; DAT: 17 or higher
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How to apply
Apply for graduate admission to UIC by using the University of Illinois Online Graduate Application. During the application process, you will be asked to select your major. Be sure to choose “MS Medical Physiology” from the dropdown menu. The Program Code for MS in Medical Physiology is 20FS5512MS.
UIC Application Fees
Application fees may be paid online via credit card at the time you submit your application. Under certain circumstances the application fee may be waived, see Application Fee Waiver Program.
- Application Fee: $70.00
- International Credential Evaluation Fee: $100.00 (if applicable) – Assessed for all graduate degree-seeking applicants who have post-secondary coursework taken outside the United States
Department Required Documents
In addition to the UIC Application, students applying for Graduate Admission must upload the following documents directly to their admissions checklist.
- Personal statement: succinct description of your background
- Statement of purpose that briefly explains why you are interested in this program and your career goals after you complete the MSMP degree
- Test score copy: MCAT, GRE or DAT
- Resume
- Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions must be uploaded to the Admissions checklist. If the transcripts are not in English, you must provide the original language document and a certified translation. If the proof of degree is not in English, you must provide the original language document and a certified translation.
- Minimum of three letters of recommendation, submitted by recommenders through the application portal. Include at least two from course professors and at least one from a professor in the sciences. Committee letters are acceptable.
- Interview: Request for an interview with prospective students
Course Work Heading link
MSMP students are required to complete a total of 33 hours of graduate course work.
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Breakdown
Course Title Credits Director PHYB 551 Human Physiology I 5 credits O'Donnell PHYB 518 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 3 credits Lee PHYB 571 Clinical Applications of Physiology I 2 credits O'Donnell PHYB 531 Integrated Metabolism 3 credits Liew PHYB 594 Special Topics In Physiology and Biophysics 1 credit Er ANAT 441 Gross Human Anatomy 5 credits Savakova PHYB 591 Departmental Seminar 1 credit Brodie -
Breakdown
Course Title Credits Director PHYB 552 Human Physiology II 5 credits Brodie PHYB 572 Clinical Applications of Physiology II 2 credits Liew ANAT 403 Human Neuroanatomy 3 credits Sharma ANAT 443 Case Studies in Clinical Anatomy 3 credits Savakova PHYB 586 Cell Physiology 3 credits Shaye PHYB 591 Department Seminar 1 credit Brodie
Learn more. View full course descriptions
Program Outcomes Heading link
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1st cohort, 2017
72% Admission
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2nd cohort, 2018
100% Admission
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3rd cohort, 2019
100% Admission
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4th cohort, 2020
93% Admission
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5th cohort, 2021
80% Admission
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6th cohort, 2022
Still applying – statistics not available yet
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7th cohort, 2023
Still applying – statistics not available yet
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8th cohort, 2024
Recent Graduates
I loved the format of the MSMP program. It offered major courses in Physiology and Anatomy, but the other courses, like Clinical Applications and Cell Physiology, gave me a deeper insight into what is happening in Medicine now. I also was able to make one-on-one connections with the professors who taught the courses, and I felt that it gave me an advantage that even medical students don’t have.
Georgia Glatris
2017 Medical Physiology Graduate
2022 UIC Medical School Graduate