Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy

An applicant seeking acceptance in the Doctor of Philosophy program, Pharmaceutical Sciences must have completed an appropriate Baccalaureate or Master’s degree. This degree must be in the natural or physical sciences and may include degrees in the pharmaceutical sciences, toxicology, biology or chemistry. Other degree areas are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.

The basic minimum requirements for an applicant with an undergraduate degree include:

• An undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or better
• Suitable Graduate Record Examination (General Exam) scores
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

The basic minimum requirements for an applicant with a suitable Master’s degree include:

• A graduate grade point average of 3.0 or better
• Suitable Graduate Record Examination (General Exam) scores
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

Prior to registration, the student must receive written confirmation from the Office of Admission as to the approval of matriculation into the doctoral program.  The admissions committee may require that certain deficiencies be remedied during the first year of the Ph.D. program through additional coursework beyond the 60 credits of the degree.

Admission to the doctoral program does not imply advancement to candidacy for the degree. Additional requirements, including satisfactory completion of the core curriculum, passing the qualifying examination, passing the oral presentation of the research proposal, and the establishment of the Ph.D. research committee, must be fulfilled before a graduate student may be considered a candidate for a degree.

The Ph.D. faculty mentor and research committee are responsible for assisting the candidate in their research, but the primary responsibility for successfully completing the research and dissertation rests with the candidate.

The program of study consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours (45 credits of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 15 credits of research PHS 950), exclusive of prerequisites and dissertation research. An additional 3 credits are required for training in ethics that do not contribute to the 60 credits of the degree. Any potential lower credit requirements will be listed within the acceptance/admission letter.

The coursework for each student consists of a core curriculum and a specialization curriculum which is determined in consultation with the faculty mentor. In some cases, students may be required to complete more than the minimum number of credits in their area of specialization or a minor field of study in order to make up for any deficiencies in background experience and education. The final list of coursework, research, and other requirements grows out of the advisement process between the student and mentor/advisor and, if necessary, with the PHS Dept. Chair.

The basic research component is completed under the guidance of a faculty mentor who also serves as the student’s academic advisor.  Students do not need to secure mentorship prior to enrollment in the program.

The Core Curriculum consists of 10 credits plus 15 Doctoral Research credits. All core coursework requirements must be completed within the first two years of study.  Since courses are generally offered on a two-year rotation, required courses must be taken when offered.  The Research Tool course, PAS 265, Scientific Inquiry: Regulation and Ethical Challenges, must be completed by the end of second year.  PAS 265 will not contribute to the total minimum credit requirements.

In addition to the Core Curriculum, Distributive core curriculum:

Electives

Notes for Elective Courses 

Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor.  Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.

Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements.  However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.

Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair.  Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.

In addition to the Core Curriculum, the Distributive core curriculum:

Electives

Notes for Elective Courses 

Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor.  Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.

Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements.  However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.

Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair.  Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.

In addition to the Core Curriculum, the Distributive core curriculum:

Electives

Notes for Elective Courses

Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor.  Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.

Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements.  However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.

Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair.  Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.

In addition to the Core Curriculum, the Distributive core curriculum:

Electives

Notes for Elective Courses

Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor.  Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.

Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements.  However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.

Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair.  Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.