Graduate Degree

The principal objective of the departmental Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is to prepare students for pharmacology- and toxicology-related careers. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to the doctoral program is conducted by the BioMolecular Science Gateway. An applicant to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution. Applicants who hold a master’s degree may also apply.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology

During the first two years of the program, the primary objective is to provide students with a firm foundation and a broad background from which they may specialize in a more sharply delineated aspect of the discipline. This objective is accomplished in two ways:  (1) specific course requirements including biometry, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology and (2) laboratory rotations with two different faculty members during the first year.

The comprehensive preliminary examination is given by the end of the second year. It consists of a written examination and an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal to the student's dissertation committee.

The potential areas of specialization for dissertation research are limited to those areas which are afforded by the research interests of the faculty.

Approximately four and one–half calendar years of study beyond the bachelor's degree are needed to meet the requirements.

Students must complete the following required courses for the degree:

Academic Standards

A candidate must maintain at least a 3.0 grade in all required PHM courses.