Ph.D. Graduate Programs

MSTP students at Northwestern University can choose any of four life science doctoral programs at either of two campuses- the Chicago campus near the historic Water Tower and the Evanston campus approximately 12 miles north in suburban Evanston. Both the Chicago and Evanston campuses offer graduate research in biological science, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering.

Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences

The Integrated Graduate Program (IGP), an interdisciplinary doctoral program, originated at the Chicago campus of Northwestern University in 1990 in recognition of the fact that much of biomedical research is interdisciplinary. With more than 100 faculty in 8 basic science and clinical departments at the Chicago campus, IGP affords graduate students maximum flexibility in pursuing courses of study and research interests, as well as in selecting advisers. Currently IGP offers MSTP students opportunities for research at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels in nine curricular areas.

• Cancer Biology
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neurobiology
• Pharmacologyand Toxicology
• Structural Biology and Biochemistry

Interdepartmental Biological Science Program in the Life Sciences

The Interdepartmental Biological Science Program (IBiS), an interdisciplinary doctroal program, was formed in 1994 as an extension of increasing collaboration by research faculty in several departments at the Evanston campus of Northwestern University and Evanston Northwesern Healthcare. With 52 faculty in five academic departments at the Evanston campus and in six clinical divisions at nearby Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, the IBiS program allows students to cross departmental and disciplinary boundaries in choosing courses and faculty research advisors. The IBiS Program prepares provides solid training in the fundamentals of cellular, molecular, and structural biology. Currently the IBiS Program offers MSTP students a choice of six curricular areas.

• Biotechnology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Hormone Action and Signal Transduction
• Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics

Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience

The Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience (NUIN) is the central organization for neuroscience education and research at Northwestern. The Institute's more than 100 faculty members are drawn from departments throughout both campuses of the university and teaching hospitals and their research interests span the entire range of neuroscience research. Currently NUIN offers MSTP students research opportunities in all areas of neuroscience.

• Behavior, Cognition, and Language
• Biological Rhythms
• Brain Imaging
• Cell Biology
• Cellular Electrophyciology
• Computational Neuroscience
• Development
• Hearing Sciences
• Learning and Memory
• Mechanisms of Drug Action
• Molecular Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Neurobiology of Disease
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neuroimmunology
• Signal Transduction
• Systems Neuroscience
• Vision Science

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering (BME) has played a vital role during the last 20 years of unprecedented advances in engineering, medical care, and the life sciences. Traditionally, engineers have been concerned with inanimate materials, devices, and systems, while life scientists have investigated biological structure and function. Biomedical engineers integrate these disciplines in a unique way, combining the methodologies of the physical sciences and engineering with the study of biological and medical problems. In the early 1960s, Northwestern became one of the first institutions to offer formal training in biomedical engineering, and has maintained its leadership role. Today the BME program is among the very best in the United States and offers MSTP students research opportunities in four broad areas.

• Analysis of the visual and auditory systems
• Rehabilitation engineering and orthopedic biomechanics
• Biomechanics and transport phenomena in the cardiopulmonary system
• Application of lasers, biosensors, and digital instrumentation to physiological problems

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Research in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering strikes a balance between experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to research problems. The educational component of research is held in high regard, with considerable emphasis placed on the mentoring relationship between faculty members and graduate students. Most research groups are small. The interests of the faculty span most areas of specialization at the forefront of chemical engineering research, including:

• catalysis
• reaction engineering
• biochemical and biomedical engineering
• polymer science
• fluid mechanics
• transport and process systems research

Chemistry

Chemistry, as an academic research endeavor, has moved beyond the classical sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry, and toward various interdisciplinary areas. At the same time, state-of-the-art chemical research increasingly emphasizes: multi-disciplinary problem solving, technology transfer, collective expertise, and overall excellence. The Chemistry Department has implemented a new organizational focus to take advantage of the new realities of chemistry research. The Department has inaugurated three new programmatic areas focused on:

• the Chemistry of Materials
• the Chemistry of Life Processes
• the Chemistry of the Environment and Catalysis.