Degree Timeline

PhD in Pharmacology & Physiology

The following is an example of the PhD in Pharmacology & Physiology course schedule. Students typically complete the program in 5 years. Students are expected to present at the Annual Seminar Presentations.


Year 1

Summer 1

Course NameCredit(s)
PHAR 985: Laboratory Rotation Summer0 (Pass/Fail)
0 Credits

Fall 1

Course NameCredit(s)
NSCI 505: Neuroscience Survey I2
PBIO 501: Graduate Physiology5
PBIO 534: Cell & Molecular Physiology4
PHAR 611: Principles of Pharmacology4
PHAR 986: Fall Rotation0
15 Credits
  • August – Select 2nd Rotation and send an email to Program Director and Program Coordinator to inform them
  • Early September – Prepare and present Post-Rotational talk
  • Register for Spring Courses

Spring 1

Course NameCredit(s)
PHAR 612: Graduate Pharmacology & Physiology10
NSCI 532: Survival Skills & Ethics for Scientists2
PHAR 987: Spring Rotation0
12 Credits
  • December – Select 3rd Rotation and send an email to Program Director and Program Coordinator to inform them
  • January – Prepare and present Post-Rotational talk
  • June – Prepare and present Post-Rotational talk
  • Complete Post-Rotation Form for the 3rd Rotation

Year 2

Summer 2

Course NameCredit(s)
PHAR 999-61: Thesis Research

OR

PHAR 985: Laboratory Rotation Summer
0

OR

0 (Pass/Fail)
0 Credits
  • Full-time in the lab, either thesis or 4th rotation
  • Begin plans for writing an NRSA, which are can be submitted on August 8th, December 8th or April 8th

Fall 2

Course NameCredits
NSCI 599: Practical Data Analysis and Experimental Design1.5
PHAR 505: Advanced Pharmacology2
PHAR 999-03: Thesis Research concurrent with coursework
Students with less than 9 credits of coursework, must register for PHAR-999 Section 03 to maintain full-time status.
0
3.5 Credits
  • Almost full-time in the lab
  • Attend any elective courses that are beneficial to your thesis research

Spring 2

Course NameCredits
Elective2
PHAR 999-03: Thesis Research concurrent with coursework
Students with less than 9 credits of coursework, must register for PHAR-999 Section 03 to maintain full-time status.
0
2 Credits
  • Continue thesis research
  • Attend any elective courses that are beneficial to your thesis research
  • Take the Oral Comprehensive Exam before June 30 (see handbook for rules) and see the Program Coordinator for an exam ballot beforehand
  • Give your Annual Seminar Presentation
  • Organize the first meeting of your Thesis Advisory Committee
  • Complete and turn in the Thesis Proposal
  • Send in your Thesis Committee Meeting Form

Year 3

Summer 3

Course NameCredit(s)
PHAR 999-61: Thesis Research0
0 Credits

Fall 3

Course NameCredit(s)
PHAR 999-01: Thesis Research
Students must register for PHAR-999 Section 01 to enable automatic registration thereafter.
0
0 Credits

After Fall 3, you will be automatically registered for Thesis Research (PHAR 999-01) courses.

  • Continue thesis research
  • Discuss with your mentor and your committee plans for your first manuscript submission
  • Focus your experiments on manuscripts
  • Give your Annual Seminar Presentation
  • Meet with your thesis committee submit your thesis proposal if you have not done so already
  • Send in your Thesis Committee Meeting Form

Year 4 & 5