This program is not accepting applications for the 2025-26 application cycle.
Program Overview
The PhD in Human Physiology program offers opportunities to work with and receive mentorship from leading educators and researchers. Many faculty hold joint appointments with the BU School of Medicine, College of Arts & Sciences, and College of Engineering. Their research addresses questions from molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral perspectives.
Research Opportunities
Boston University is a major research hub, so you’ll be surrounded by an exceptional quantity, quality, and variety of cutting-edge research, much of it interdisciplinary. You can collaborate on specialized projects ranging from regulating skeletal muscle gene expression to organizing the frontal cortex.
Students have access to advanced research tools that facilitate groundbreaking projects, including transgenic mice, DNA microarrays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuroanatomical injections to visualize individual neurons.
Advantages of Boston and Sargent College
Beyond the university, Boston offers many academic and research institutions that provide additional intellectual and educational opportunities.
Graduates of the doctoral program from Sargent College are well prepared for careers in research, education, or clinical work at prestigious institutions or innovative companies. The program’s alumni demonstrate the diverse opportunities available upon completion.
Note that the PhD Program in Human Physiology is currently designated by US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM-eligible degree program. International students in F-1 student status may be able to apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
