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The Department of Pharmacology offers a graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree. This program involves development of a broadly based background in biomedical science followed by intensive specialized research in an appropriate pharmacological area. Completion of the program ordinarily requires a period of four to six years.

The first two years involve course work in pharmacology as well as courses in biochemistry, physiology, and statistics and appropriate elective courses (e.g., cell biology, molecular biology, and chemistry). Students in the first year participate in a laboratory rotation program in which they spend a six- to twelve-week period in several of the research laboratories of the department to help them choose a scientific area and an adviser for dissertation research. A student typically selects a research adviser and begins initial dissertation work at the end of the second academic year. At that time students also take a comprehensive examination sequence (written and oral) and complete a pre-thesis proposal for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

To see individual labs and their specific research interests please see the Research portion of our website.

Activities our graduate students participate in:

Annual Pharmacology Research Retreat

Pharmacology Seminar Series

Cancer Biology Journal Club

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Career Options with a PhD in Pharmacology

In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to choose the appropriate training for your future goals. A Ph.D. in Pharmacology will prepare you for a broad range of careers including positions at biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, research universities, and government agencies, such as the NIH, Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. The advantage of a pharmacology program over basic biological sciences is the emphasis on drug interactions with cellular mechanisms. Thus, students gain an appreciation for scientific applications in a clinical setting, which is a desired trait for potential candidates in pharmaceutical companies and is helpful in obtaining funding for biomedical research proposals.

For current trends in opportunities for Pharmacology Ph.Ds:

Sciences Next Wave: Career advice from the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Network of Emerging Scientists: Forum for discussions on science careers

You may also wish to contact one of our Alumni, as they have gone on to many different types of career paths and are an excellent resource for firsthand knowledge of expectations for a particular occupational goal.

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