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 Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 985: Laboratory Rotation Summer | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credits |
- 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 |
| 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 Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 612: Graduate Pharmacology & Physiology | 10 |
| NSCI 532: Survival Skills & Ethics for Scientists | 2 |
| PHAR 987: Spring Rotation | 0 |
| 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 Name | Credit(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 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 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 Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 2 |
| 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 Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 999-61: Thesis Research | 0 |
| 0 Credits |
Fall 3
| Course Name | Credit(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 registered automatically 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
- Full-Time Thesis Research (PHAR 999-01)
- 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