Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program
All
students in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program take “core” courses
in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, toxicology and statistics.
This is followed with advanced courses in more specialized areas
of pharmacology and toxicology that relate directly to one’s
research interests. Beginning in the second year of study, students
participate in a weekly seminar program that teaches how to speak
more effectively.
Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline such
as pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry or a biological science. This
training should include course work in each of the following areas:
- inorganic and organic chemistry
- calculus and the biological sciences
- physiology
- biochemistry
- zoology
Acceptance into Ph.D. candidacy is dependent on the successful completion
of the comprehensive exam, which takes place during the second year
of the student’s academic career. The exam consists of two written
components. The first is designed to test fundamental and advanced-concept
knowledge of pharmacology and the second is the completion of a written
research proposal. An oral exam is administered following the completion
of the research proposal and is designed to address the student's
knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology with emphasis on his or
her specialized research area.
The master’s program differs slightly from the Ph.D. program
in that no written comprehensive exam is given, although a final
oral exam must be passed to complete the degree program. In addition,
the M.S. degree can be completed on a part-time basis while the Ph.D.
requires full-time enrollment.
All students are required to prepare and defend a dissertation (Ph.D.)
or thesis (M.S.) based upon original research. This constitutes
the major effort of the Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program,
which can be completed in two years (M.S.) or four years
(Ph.D.). The average duration of study for our doctoral candidates is
4.7 years. Attesting to the efficiency of our program, this is significantly
lower than the national average of more than seven years.
Doctor of Philosophy curriculum
Course requirements
Ph.D. students in pharmacology and toxicology take courses
designed for graduate students with an emphasis on research design
and experimentation. They do not take classes with medical students
or other professional students. A full-time course load for graduate
students is 15 credits in the fall and spring semesters and six credits
in the summer. The student must achieve a 3.0 GPA overall or higher
in graduate courses and at least a 3.0 GPA in pharmacology and toxicology
courses to graduate.
The following courses are required before the comprehensive
examination can be taken:
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| PHIS 501 |
5 |
Mammalian Physiology |
| BIOC 503 |
5 |
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology I |
| BIOC 504 |
5 |
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology II |
| PHTX 536 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology I |
| PHTX 537 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology II |
| PHTX 597 |
variable |
Introduction to Pharmacological Research |
| PHTX 690 |
1 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
An additional two advanced graduate courses also must be taken
prior to eligibility for the comprehensive examination. One of the
advanced courses must be a pharmacology course chosen from the following
list. The second advanced course also may be selected from this
list or may be an advanced course in another department (e.g. Molecular
Genetics, BIOC 605 Molecular Biology or MICR 505 Imunobiology), as
deemed appropriate by the student's advisory committee.
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| PHTX 625 |
3 |
Cell Signaling and Growth Control |
| PHTX 632 |
3 |
Neurochemical Pharmacology |
| PHTX 633 |
3 |
Behavioral Pharmacology |
| PHTX 637 |
3 |
Cellular Pharmacology |
| PHTX 638 |
3 |
Cellular Mechanisms of Toxicology |
| PHTX 644 |
3 |
Forensic Toxicology |
| PHTX 509 |
3 |
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience |
Advanced courses in other disciplines may include, but are not limited
to:
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| ANAT 610 |
5 |
Neuroanatomy |
| BIOC 601 |
3 |
Membranes and Lipids |
| BIOC 602 |
3 |
Physical Properties of Macromolecules |
| BIOC 605 |
3 |
Molecular Biology |
| EGRB 603 |
3 |
Biomedical Signal Processing |
| EGRB 610 |
3 |
Microprocessor Interfacing for
Biochemical Instrumentation
|
| CHEM 504 |
3 |
Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 512 |
3 |
Physical Chemistry |
| MICR 505 |
3 |
Immunobiology |
| MICR 653 |
3 |
Advanced Molecular Genetics: Bioinformatics |
| MEDC 601 |
3 |
Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I |
| MEDC 630 |
3 |
Theoretical Methods in Drug Design |
| MEDC 641 |
3 |
Survey of Molecular Modeling Methods |
| PHIS 604 |
3 |
Cell Physiology |
| PHIS 605 |
3 |
Mathematical Physiology |
| PHIS 606 |
3 |
Physical Principles in Physiology |
| PHIS 614 |
3 |
Membrane Transport |
| PHIS 615 |
3 |
Signal Detection in Sensory Systems |
| PHIS 617 |
3 |
Cellular Signaling |
A typical course plan for the full-time Ph.D. student is described
below.
|
Fall Year 1
|
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| PHIS 501 |
5 |
Mammalian Physiology |
| BIOC 503 |
5 |
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology I |
| PHTX 597 |
5 |
Introduction to Pharmacological Research |
|
Spring Year 1
|
| BIOC 504 |
5 |
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology II |
| PHTX 536 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology I |
| PHTX 597 |
5 |
Introduction to Pharmacological Research |
|
Summer Year 1
|
| PHTX 697 |
6 |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Fall Year 2
|
| PHTX 537 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology II |
| Advanced elective |
3 |
Various |
| PHTX 690 |
1 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Spring Year 2
|
| Advanced PMC elective |
3 |
Various |
| Advanced electives |
3 |
Various |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
| PHTX 690 |
1 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
|
Summer Year 2
|
| PHTX 697 |
6 |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
Note: Second-year students take the comprehensive exam in June,
although some may qualify to take it in January of their second year.
In the third and subsequent years, the majority of the course load
is PHTX 697 Directed Research in Pharmacology. Advanced electives
also may be taken, as desired. Students also participate in
PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar through their fourth year.
The average time required to complete the Ph.D. in Pharmacology and
Toxicology at VCU is between four and five years.
Master of Science curriculum
The department offers a graduate
program leading to the Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology.
This is a research-oriented degree program comprised of graduate
course work and supervised research leading to a master's thesis.
This program is intended primarily as a terminal M.S. degree. Students
intending to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology
should apply directly to the Ph.D. program. The M.S. program will
be of interest to individuals planning on technical positions in
pharmacology or toxicology research or testing, students in the health
professions, such as medicine or dentistry, who desire additional
research training and for those interested in a government position,
such as with regulatory agencies, who seek training in pharmacology
and toxicology.
Course requirements for the M.S. degree
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| PHIS 501* |
3 |
Mammalian Physiology |
| BIOC 503* |
3 |
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology I |
| PHTX 536 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and
Toxicology I |
| PHTX 537 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and
Toxicology II |
| PHTX 690 |
2 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
Plus one advanced graduate course in
the student’s specialty.
See listing above for advanced courses |
* These are minimum requirements. More advanced courses can be
substituted. Consult the program adviser.
A typical course plan for the full-time master's student is described
below.
|
Fall Year 1
|
|
Course
|
Credits
|
Title
|
| PHIS 505 |
3 |
Mammalian Physiology |
| BIOC 501 |
5 |
Biochemistry |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Spring Year 1
|
| PHTX 536 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and
Toxicology I |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
| Advanced elective |
1 |
see above |
|
Summer Year 1
|
| PHTX 697 |
6 |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Fall Year 2
|
| PHTX 537 |
5 |
Principles of Pharmacology and
Toxicology II |
| Advanced elective |
3 |
see above |
| PHTX 690 |
1 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Spring Year 2
|
| PHTX 690 |
1 |
Pharmacology Research Seminar |
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
|
Summer Year 2
|
| PHTX 697 |
variable |
Directed Research in Pharmacology |
A full course load is 12-15 credits per semester and six credits
in the summer. The student must achieve a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.0
GPA in pharmacology and toxicology courses to graduate.
Ph.D. Graduate Advisory Committee
The initial adviser (first year) will be Dr. Stephen Sawyer, the
director of the graduate program for Ph.D. students. Upon completion
of the research rotation course at the end of the first year, students
must select an adviser (mentor). The department has two guidelines
related to the selection of an adviser. First, faculty members may
have a maximum of three students from the Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology working under their supervision at any given time.
Second, faculty members agree to assume complete or partial fiscal
responsibility for that student when accepting students into his
or her lab.
After selecting an adviser, full-time students immediately begin
carrying out supervised research, typically in the adviser’s
lab. It is expected that a tentative dissertation project will be
chosen by the student by the start of the second year’s fall
semester. After consulting with advisers, students select a Graduate
Advisory Committee.
The Graduate Advisory Committee must consist of
five members with at least two members from outside of the department.
The committee functions to assist the student in determining their
course plan, help in the finalization of a dissertation project,
and, eventually, approve the dissertation and conduct the final examination.
Six months prior to taking written comprehensive
exams, a Graduate Student Advisory Committee and Course Plan form
needs to be signed by each committee member, department head and
program director and returned for the dean’s signature.
Part-time students
It is possible to complete a portion of the M.S. program as a part-time
student. This would be particularly appropriate for students who
are employed or who are concurrently pursuing another degree. The
most likely way this could be done is to take some of the required
courses as a part-time student; however, it would normally be
expected that at least a year of full-time laboratory work would
be required to complete the thesis project.
Continuing for the Ph.D.
Students who plan to eventually work toward the Ph.D. degree at
VCU should apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Master’s students
interested in joining the Ph.D. program can apply, but completion
of the M.S. degree does not assure acceptance.
On
the other hand, applicants who are undecided if they want to earn
a Ph.D. and want experience in biomedical research before committing
to a doctoral program may be well served by our M.S. program. Outstanding
performance in our M.S. program should help the student gain admittance
to a doctoral program here or elsewhere. Master’s students seeking
to go on to medical or dental school are encouraged to complete their
M.S. degree before enrolling in these programs. M.S. students at
VCU seeking admittance to medical school will not be enrolled until
they complete the master’s.
|