College: School of Medicine and Public Health
Designation: Interdisciplinary program
Major: Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Other: Ph.D. Minor
Faculty: Professors Bird (director) (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Abbott (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Bertics (Biomolecular Chemistry), Bosu (Medical Sciences/ Veterinary Medicine), Drezner (Medicine), Downs (Anatomy), Ginther (Pathobiological Sciences/Veterinary Medicine), Golos (Comparative Biosciences), Jefcoate (Pharmacology), Magness (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Martin (Biochemistry), Ntambi (Biochemistry/Nutritional Sciences), Parrish (Animal Sciences), Peterson (Pharmacy), Schuler (Comparative Biosciences/Veterinary Medicine), Sheffield (Dairy Science), Terasawa (Pediatrics), Thomson (Anatomy), Wiltbank (Dairy Science); Associate Professors: Alarid (Oncology/ Physiology), Atwood (Medicine), Duello (Obstetrics and Gynecology) Odorico (Surgery), Kling (Pediatrics), Zheng (Obstetrics and Gynecology); Assistant Professors: Cezar (Animal Sciences), Kessel, (Pediatrics), Patankar (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Watters (Comparative Biosciences/Veterinary Medicine) and Yu (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
The Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology (ERP) Program at the University of Wisconsin is a multidisciplinary degree-granting program designed to promote research in both endocrinology and reproductive biology, to provide training and experience for pre- and post-doctoral students interested in these fields, and to provide training in problems of endocrine physiology and reproductive physiology in animals and humans. The program trains master's and Ph.D. candidates for teaching and research careers in all aspects of the interrelated fields of endocrinology and reproductive physiology--basic, clinical and technical. Students have access to a full range of research facilities throughout campus. A joint M.D./Ph.D. degree is also offered by the School of Medicine and Public Health and their student trainees are eligible to train for their PhD in the ERP program.
Postdoctoral Fellows are encouraged to join the program as Associate Members and join in the programs diverse activities. While Postdoctoral positions are arranged directly with individual faculty members, ERP is also seeking NIH support in this area. ERP is supporting and mentoring the training of both PhD and MD Fellows in translational studies.
The multidisciplinary research and the diverse interests of the faculty make possible many approaches to the study of both endocrinology and reproduction, providing the individual student with a wide selection of research training experiences. Research opportunities are available, but not limited to: endocrine molecular signaling, endocrine physiology in body function and dysfunction, stem-cell programming, gamete and embryo biology, pregnancy, lactation, neuroendocrinology and placenta development. Research models range from molecular and cellular all the way to whole animal including non-human primates and humans. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program Web site for additional information.
All students will complete a core set of courses during their first two years of enrollment in the program including participation in the weekly seminar program. After the core course requirements are fulfilled, students have the ability to design a curriculum that meets their individual research and career interests. Students also have multiple opportunities to present their research work in courses, seminars, symposia, and at regional, national, and international scientific meetings. The preliminary exam for Ph.D. candidates is based on the student's research project and is structured in the form of a competitive grant proposal. Part one of the exam is the development of the written proposal and submission to the thesis committee for review; part two is focused on the rebuttal and oral review of the comments. Students should aim to complete the preliminary exam by the start of the third year of study and defend their thesis in the fifth year.
All students are required to form a thesis committee during the first year of study and have an annual meeting with the members. A written progress report is required to be submitted annually to the program administrator.
Over 95 percent of the program's enrolled students are supported by a research assistantship or fellowship. Incoming applicants are considered for competitive fellowships during the admissions process; no additional application is required. Additional Fellowship support for minority and educationally disadvantaged students is also available - please contact the program administrator at the time of application. Teaching assistantships are discouraged until the student has passed the preliminary exam. Training grant support may be considered in the third through fifth year of study for Ph.D. students assuming satisfactory progress and continued funding by the National Institutes of Health. Financial support generally includes tuition remission, monthly stipend check, and participation in the State of Wisconsin Health Insurance program. Benefit levels change on an annual basis; contact the program administrator for current rates. Support for international students varies by faculty advisor. International students offered admission will be required to submit a notarized financial statement prior to visa documents being issued.
Admission to the ERP Program is a competitive process with applications due January 2 of each year for fall semester. Potential applicants will have a major in the biological sciences, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3/4.0, and appropriate preparatory courses in: physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, calculus, statistics, organic chemistry, and genetics. Prior laboratory research experience is strongly recommended.
The application process includes the completion and submission of the online Graduate School application including the personal statement for graduate study, receipt of GRE, and TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (TOEFL and IELTS are for international applicants) by Educational Testing Service, and receipt of three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess academic potential. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the on-line reference feature in the Graduate School application system. Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent by postal mail to the program administrator.
Completed applications for fall entry are reviewed by a panel of faculty. Applicants who pass this first step will be contacted and have materials distributed to all faculty in the program for further consideration. Otherwise applications for spring or summer term are possible, but only by faculty invitation to accept the individual directly into the laboratory for training and with the approval of the admissions committee. In view of increasing numbers of applicants of high quality, we advise strongly that prospective students contact faculty members early in the admissions process to explore mutual research interests and potential funding. Faculty profiles are available on the ERP Program Web site, as well as profiles of ERP students, and updated instructions for admission.
For more information: Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, 1 South Park Street, Suite 555, Madison, WI 53714; Tel: 608-287-2322; tabachmann@wisc.edu; www.erp.wisc.edu.