Course Schedule
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.
Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing: A PhD student may make a written request for the transfer of credit for specific applicable courses or apply for advanced standing. Please speak with program leadership and review the policy on transfer credit and advanced standing.
MD-PhD students should consult the MD-PhD Course Schedule.
Year 1
Before July 1st, register for all Fall 1 and Summer 1 courses listed below for Health Insurance purposes.
Summer 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHPH 9985: Lab 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
Fall 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| NSCI 5001: Neuroscience Survey I | 2 |
| PHSL 6501: Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 5 |
| PHSL 6534: Cell & Molecular Physiology | 4 |
| PHAR 6000: Principles of Pharmacology | 4 |
| PHPH 9986: Lab Rotation Fall | 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 1 Courses
Spring 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHAR 8000: Graduate Pharmacology and Physiology | 10 |
| NSCI 5007: Survival Skills & Ethics for Scientists | 2 |
| PHPH 9987: Lab Rotation Spring | 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
- Register for Summer 2
Year 2
Summer 2
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHPH 9999-01: Thesis Research OR PHPH 9985: Lab 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
- Register for Fall 2 Courses
Fall 2
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| NSCI 5009: Practical Data Analysis & Experimental Design | 2 |
| PHAR 8001: Advanced Pharmacology | 2 |
| PHPH 9999-03: Thesis Research concurrent with coursework Students with less than 9 credits of coursework, must register for PHPH 9999 Section 03 to maintain full-time status. | 0 |
| 4 Credits |
- Almost full-time in the lab
- Attend any elective courses that are beneficial to your thesis research
- Register for Spring 2 Courses
Spring 2
| Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 2 |
| PHPH 9999-03: Thesis Research concurrent with coursework Students with less than 9 credits of coursework, must register for PHPH 9999 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
- Register for Summer 3
Year 3
Summer 3
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHPH 9999-01: Thesis Research | 0 |
| 0 Credits |
Fall 3
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| PHPH 9999-01: Thesis Research Students must register for PHPH 9999 Section 01 to enable automatic registration thereafter. | 0 |
| 0 Credits |
After Fall 3, you will be automatically registered for Thesis Research (PHPH 9999-01) 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 (PHPH 9999-01)
- 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
- Dissertation, Doctoral Project, and Thesis Information & Templates
- Submission of Dissertation or Doctoral Project
- Follow the Graduating Student Checklist to apply for graduation in your second-to-last semester, receive your degree and attend Commencement