The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a PhD program in biomedical science that focuses on the cross-disciplinary integration of human (patho)biology with drug action, invention, and clinical utility. The biomedical sciences curriculum involves coursework and original research in areas including drug design and profiling, toxicology, and pharmaceutical biochemistry/cell biology aimed at increasing our understanding of how unsolved medical needs may be addressed by novel therapeutic approaches. The biomedical science program is appropriate for those entering the field as well as persons currently employed as research technicians, clinical laboratory workers, and science teachers/administrators. The flexibility of the biomedical science program and its interdisciplinary nature can enhance job performance in a present position and invite new employment opportunities.

Journal Club Participation

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences sponsors weekly journal clubs, Pharmaceutical Science Seminar (PHSC 6300), at which students present and evaluate current scientific literature in their fields of study. Students must attend one of these journal clubs (Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery Journal Club, Pharmacology Journal Club, or Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery Journal Club), chosen in consultation with their advisors.

Attendance at one of these journal clubs is required each and every academic semester, as an integral part of the PhD curriculum, with the exception of the last year (year four) in the program. All PhD students must participate full-time in journal club for course credit, Pharmaceutical Science Seminar (PHSC 6300), for six semesters. Failure to attend journal club regularly may result in sanctions such as probation or dismissal from the PhD program. Any student who does not comply with these (or any other) conditions required in the PhD program faces potential dismissal.

Colloquium Attendance

All PhD students, regardless of program, are required to attend the weekly Pharmaceutical Science Colloquium series. Announcements of times and locations will be distributed weekly to students by email to their university email addresses. Attendance is recorded by sign-up sheet. One excused absence is permitted per semester. Failure to attend colloquia may result in sanctions such as probation or dismissal from the PhD program.