Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Pharmacology

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Program Overview

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.

https://www.augusta.edu/gradstudies/biomed/prospective-students/mcg-phd-pharmacology.php

https://www.augusta.edu/mcg/phmtox/graduateprogram.php

Program Contact

John Johnson, PhD

706-721-2346

Progression & Graduation Requirements

Students are admitted via a common admissions process to the Biomedical Sciences PhD program, not to a specific biomedical major. After completing the first-year common core course work and laboratory rotations, students choose a dissertation research mentor and enter one of nine Doctor of Philosophy majors.
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 is a minimum of 3 and maximum of 7 years. The number and type of advanced (2nd year and beyond) or elective courses vary, and may include courses within the Pharmacology program as well as courses in other disciplines.
In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete additional PhD degree requirements, including annual advisory committee meetings, individual development plans (IDP’s) 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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Biomedical Science Common Course Requirements: 33 Hours

Selectives: 4 Hours

Select four credit hours from the following courses:

BIOM 8030 - Experimental Therapeutics (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8080 - Neuroscience I (4 Credit Hours) (Required for Neuroscience major)
BIOM 8090 - Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (2 Credit Hours) (Required for Genomic Medicine major)
BIOM 8215 - Fundamentals of Oncology I (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8230 - Biology of Proteins in Disease (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8240 - Introduction to Immunology and Infectious Disease (2 Credit Hours)

Required Courses:

PHRM 8042 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics I (3 Credit Hours)
PHRM 8043 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics II (3 Credit Hours)
PHRM 8301 - Neuropharmacology (4 Credit Hours) or BIOM 8120 - Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (3 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8120 - required for students engaging in cardiovascular projects and PHRM 8301 - required for students engaging in neuroscience projects
PHRM 9210 - Investigation of a Problem (1 TO 12 Credit Hours)
Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester. Upon entering the Pharmacology major, this course must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy requirements are complete.
PHRM 9300 - Research (1 TO 12 Credit Hours)
Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester. Must be taken every semester after admission to candidacy until dissertation requirements are met.
NOTE: An appropriate upper level course may substituted for BIOM 8120 or PHRM 8301 (e.g., for students not engaging in cardiovascular or neuroscience projects) with prior pre-approval from student’s mentor, advisory committee, program director, The Graduate School (and through Office of the Registrar) per the official approval and course substitution process and form submission.

Electives: 8 Hours

BIOM 8120 - Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (3 Credit Hours) or PHRM 8301 - Neuropharmacology (4 Credit Hours)
May be taken and counted as an elective IF the course has been not taken as a required course. These courses cannot be “double counted” to fulfill both required and elective requirements (e.g. if BIOM 8120 is taken is taken to fulfill the required course then PHRM 8031 can be taken as an elective)
- BIOM 8120 - Cardiovascular Physiology & Pharmacology (3 credit hours)
- PHRM 8031 - Neuropharmacology course (3 credit hours)
BIOM 8130 - Scientific Grant Writing (1 Credit Hour)
PHRM 5003 - Pharmacology Tutorial (4 Credit Hours)
Upper level courses in another discipline or biomedical science major not included on the pre-approved elective listing may be taken as an elective with formal, advanced approval from mentor, program director, The Graduate School (and Office of the Registrar) per the official approval and course substitution process and form submission.

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