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
- Select 1st Rotation by early June and email Program Director and Program Coordinator in June to inform them
- Attend the mandatory Pharmacology & Physiology and Biomedical Graduate Orientation
- Attend the mandatory Lab Safety and Radiation Safety classes
- Register for Fall Courses
Fall 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| NSCI 505: Neuroscience Survey I | 2 |
| PBIO 501: Graduate Physiology | 5 |
| PBIO 534: Cell & Molecular Physiology | 4 |
| PHAR 611: Principles of Pharmacology | 4 |
| PHAR 986: Fall Rotation | 0 |
| Total 15 Credits | |
Additional Checklist
- 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 Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 612: Graduate Pharmacology & Physiology | 10 |
| NSCI 532: Survival Skills & Ethics for Scientists | 2 |
| PHAR 987: Spring Rotation |
0 |
| Total 12 Credits | |
Additional Checklist
- 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
- 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 Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| NSCI 599: Practical Data Analysis and Experimental Design | 1.5 |
| PHAR 505: Advanced Pharmacology | 2 |
| PHAR 999-03: Thesis Research concurrent with coursework | 0 |
3.5 Total Credits |
Additional Checklist
- Almost full-time in the lab
- Attend any elective courses that are beneficial to your thesis research
Spring 2
- 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
- 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
- Thesis committee meets every year coinciding with your Annual Seminar Presentation (Thesis Committee Meeting Form)
- Expect to submit your first manuscript before the end of your 4th year in the program