Pharmacology Graduate Program Information
The University of Minnesota offers one of the top-rated Pharmacology
programs in the country. Sprawled along the bank of the Mississippi
River, the Academic Health Center, Medical School and University
of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview are an important part of
one of the largest campuses in the nation,
with approximately 50,000 students
on the Twin Cities campus.
One of the best funded departments in the Medical
School, the Department of Pharmacology has approximately 40 faculty members
and 50 graduate students. By recruiting many younger faculty
with "3rd millennium" strategies in Pharmacology,
the Department is aiming toward the future. For details, see
our faculty research interest pages.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum leading to a doctor of philosophy degree in
pharmacology at the University of Minnesota is designed to
provide a solid understanding of basic pharmacology and to
prepare our graduates to pursue careers as independent scientists
and pharmacologists.
Students enter the program in the fall. The academic
year at the University of Minnesota is divided into two semesters
(fall and spring) and one summer term. Students usually take
courses in all semesters and summer terms, with a lighter load
during the summer to allow more time for research.
During the early stages of their doctoral training, students
gain a fundamental understanding of the principles of pharmacology,
acquired through classroom-based instruction. Completion
of course work ordinarily requires about two years and includes
the following (for more detailed information, see the program
handbook):
YEAR 1
- Problems in Investigative Pharmacology
- Seminar
- Laboratory Rotation
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Introduction to Pharmacology
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YEAR 2
- Medical Pharmacology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Seminar
- Electives
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ADVISING AND LAB ROTATION
The Director of Graduate Studies serves as the adviser to
first-year students in the program. During their first year,
most students rotate through three laboratories within
the department. The purpose of these 8 week rotations is two-fold;
first to permit the student to acquire practical experience in
several different pharmacology laboratories and second, to assist
the student in choosing a Ph.D. adviser, in whose laboratory
the student will spend the bulk of his/her graduate training.
Under the guidance of their Ph.D. adviser, students acquire
skills necessary to conduct original research. They learn how
to carefully read and critically evaluate scientific literature,
to conceive and carry out experiments designed to test a defined
hypothesis, and to critically interpret data obtained from
these efforts.
STUDENT SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS
As well as the ability to generate data, scientists must also
be able to communicate these results to others. Therefore,
our students learn to prepare and present research seminars.
In addition, each of our students, as part of their Ph.D. qualifying
examination, prepares and defends a research proposal. During
their graduate studies, all students co-author (usually as
first author) at least one research paper submitted for publication.
In recent years, graduating students have published an average
of four papers in peer-reviewed journals.
EXAMINATIONS
A written examination in pharmacology is taken before the
preliminary oral examination. It consists of a thesis proposal
written in the manner of a research grant proposal.
A preliminary oral examination is designed to test the student's
ability to apply principles of both pharmacology and the chosen
minor area to specific research questions.
A final oral examination consists of defense of the candidate's
thesis.
MINOR AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS
Students majoring in pharmacology usually select a minor in
biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology, or psychology. Alternatively,
a student can select a supporting program in lieu of a minor.
This consists of courses from two or more disciplines relevant
to the student's doctoral research.
JOINT DEGREE PROGRAM
In the Fall of 1999, the University of Minnesota began offering
a unique Joint Degree Program for students interested in
combining a law degree with one of a broad range of graduate
degrees
in health and life sciences. Students in the Joint Degree
Program in Law, Health & the Life Sciences will be able to
obtain a J.D. together with an M.S. or Ph.D. in less time and
with
more academic support and potentially more financial support
than if they pursued two degrees separately. The Joint
Degree Program involves roughly 300 faculty members. They are
drawn
from the Law School, Graduate School, Medical School, School
of Public Health, College of Biological Sciences, College
of Natural Resources, Humphrey Institute and Center for Bioethics.
For more information, visit the web site at: http://www.jointdegree.umn.edu/
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Individuals who have an M.D. degree and are qualified to practice
medicine may enter the training program administered by the
Division of Clinical Pharmacology. Faculty members in the Division
hold dual appointments in pharmacology and various clinical
departments.
DULUTH PROGRAM
The School of Medicine in Duluth offers a cooperative
graduate program in pharmacology in conjunction with
the program in the Twin Cities, with opportunities for either
the M.S. or Ph.D. degree.
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
A high level of academic performance is expected of pharmacology
graduate students. Only grades of A or B are acceptable in
the major. Although the grade of C in minor or miscellaneous
subjects is acceptable to the Graduate School, students are
expected to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (B).
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
All students in the Ph.D. program hold research assistantships
and receive a stipend that is paid during their graduate
training. In addition, those applicants who meet the departmental
criteria will also be eligible to receive the F.E. Shideman Merit
Award for Outstanding Pharmacology Students. This award was established
by the Department of Pharmacology to recognize outstanding
new students entering our graduate program and is a one-time
financial award of $1,000-$3,000. Several other scholarship
programs are also available through the University of Minnesota
Graduate School, which in 2006-2007 celebrated 119 years
of doctoral research and education.
GRADUATE PROGRAM CORRESPONDENCE
Please send all correspondence directly to:
Director of Graduate
Studies
Department of Pharmacology
University of Minnesota
6-120 Jackson Hall
321 Church Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-625-2685
Fax: 612-625-8408
Email: phclgrad@umn.edu
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