Admission
A baccalaureate degree with a strong background in the natural sciences and/or health sciences is required for admission. Results of the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative and analytical) are required for Ph.D. applicants, while results of the advanced test in Biology or Chemistry are strongly recommended.
Course of Study
In the first two years, students are required to complete the following core curriculum courses:
- Logic and Experimental Design
- Chemical Biology
- Systems Pharmacology
- Molecular Pharmacology of Cancer
- Neuropharmacology
- Biostatistics
- Pharmacology Research Seminar
Each student also completes at least one elective by June of the second year. This elective is selected from courses that are offered by other programs at the Graduate School.
Program Supervision & Laboratory Rotations
The Program Director and the Curriculum Committee will supervise the student's graduate program until the student selects a faculty member to serve as the major sponsor. Three laboratory rotations are required of each student. These rotations provide the opportunity for the student to participate in the diverse research activities that are available within the Program. This experience is designed to assist the student in the selection of major and minor sponsors for the thesis research.
Admission to Doctoral Candidacy
The Admission to Candidacy Examination consists of two parts: a uniform written exam and an oral exam which includes discussion of a written research proposal. It is expected that most students will take this exam by the end of May of their second year.
Special Committee
The Special Committee is comprised of a major faculty sponsor and two minor faculty sponsors. The Program Director will assist the student in the selection of the major (thesis) advisor.
Retreat
The Pharmacology Program holds a retreat each year in the spring, usually for two days at a country inn. Members of the Program gather for a series of informal talks and a poster session to exchange the latest scientific information. This provides a relaxed setting for new incoming graduate students to meet other graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members in the department.
