Graduate School Bulletin

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology

In addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, the following are required:

A. Course Requirements 
1. Biomolecular Structure & Analysis (CHE 541)

2. Graduate Physiology (HBY 501)

3. Biochemical Laboratory Techniques (HBH 545, HBH 546) 

4. Cell Biology (MCB 656) 

5. Principles of Pharmacology series (HBH 631, HBH 632) 

6. Integrity in Science (GRD 500) 

7. Proposal Preparation in Regulatory Biology (HBH 560) 

8. One elective 

9. Practicum in Teaching Pharmacology (HBH 601) 

10. Journal Club (HBH 580) 

11. Seminar (HBH 590)—every semester 

12. Research (HBH 599 before advancement to candidacy, HBH 699 after advancement to candidacy).

Depending on prior course work, students may adjust these requirements with the consent of the Steering Committee of the Graduate Program.

B. Research Rotations 
Students are required to complete three rotations in laboratories affiliated with the program during the first two semesters and the following summer. The host laboratory for thesis research is typically selected from one of these three rotations.

C. Qualifying Exam 
In the second year, students are required to write and orally defend a research proposal on a topic unrelated to their thesis research.

D. Thesis Proposal Examination 
In the fall semester of the third year, students select a thesis committee including three program faculty and one extramural faculty member to evaluate their written thesis proposal and their oral defense of the proposal.

E. Advancement to Candidacy 
Following completion of coursework, and satisfactory performance on the qualifying examination and research proposal examination, students will be recommended to the Graduate School for advancement to Ph.D. degree candidacy.

F. Ph.D. Dissertation 
The research for the Ph.D. dissertation is conducted under the supervision of the thesis committee. Upon approval of the completed dissertation by this committee, a dissertation examining committee is appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. A formal public oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled, at which the student presents his or her findings and is questioned by members of the examining committee and by other members of the audience.

G. Teaching Requirement 
It is expected that each graduate student completing a doctoral degree will have functioned as a teaching assistant during at least one semester of his or her graduate career (HBH 601).

H. Residence Requirement 
The University requires at least two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study. The demands of the program necessitate a longer period of residence. 

I. Electives 
To complete their course requirements, students must take one elective course. The following is a list of courses offered by other programs in the university. This subset of elective courses represents courses that are recommended or that students have taken in the last several years.