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    Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Georgia Health Sciences University Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Georgia Health Sciences University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Pharmacology


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Description

Pharmacology is a wide-ranging discipline encompassing chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, physiology and behavior. Faculty members utilize a wide array of techniques to explore cardiovascular function and the nervous system. Faculty research interests include receptor associated proteins, cell signaling via G protein coupled receptors, protein kinases and ion channels and cognitive function in aged primates. Courses of study are designed to meet the needs of individual students. Graduates are employed in academic research and in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Admissions Information

First-year Ph.D. students are admitted via a common admissions process to the biomedical sciences Ph.D. program, not to a specific major. After completing first-year core course work and laboratory rotations, the student chooses a dissertation research mentor and enters one of nine Ph.D. majors based on that faculty member’s program affiliation. In each program, students complete a Ph.D. dissertation based on original research. Each student’s program of study is unique and the time to completion varies. On average, completion of the Ph.D. program requires approximately 5 years of full-time, year-round study.

For information regarding admission to the Biomedical Sciences program in the College of Graduate studies please select the Admissions Information link.

Biomedical Sciences Admission 

Financial Support

Students accepted as full time students into the program may be eligible for a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which provides a competitive stipend ($23,000 for the 2011/2012 academic year) as well as a reduced tuition fee of only $25 per semester. Graduate Research Assistants also receive, at no cost to them, single-person health insurance under the GHSU student group policy. A limited number of GRA packages will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants with exemplary qualifications. Continuation of an assistantship is contingent on the availability of funds and on satisfactory academic progress. Students are responsible for paying standard required student fees each semester.

Second Year and Beyond: Pharmacology Advanced Curriculum


The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is not lock-step; students do NOT graduate as a class at the end of a specific semester. The average time to degree is approximately 5 years of full-time, year-round study; acceptable duration of the program may be between 3 and 7 years. The PhD curriculum is individualized for each student based on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations. The number and type of advanced (2nd year and beyond) elective courses vary, and may include courses within the Pharmacology program, listed below, as well as courses in other disciplines.

Additional Requirements


In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete additional PhD degree requirements, including satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination, development and approval of a research proposal, writing and approval of the doctoral dissertation, and satisfactory performance on the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense). See PhD Student Guide for additional requirements and details.

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