The study of pharmacology involves several disciplines, using the
methods of biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, molecular biology,
and physiology. The graduate program, which is research-oriented, has
faculty members from several depart-ments at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School and Rutgers University. Faculty research covers a range
of specialities, including cancer pharmacology, drug design and
metabolism, neuropharmacology, and signal transduction. The graduate
program also participates in a combined M.D./Ph.D. program.
Applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree in biology,
chemistry, or neuroscience are viewed as optimal candidates for
admission. However, those with undergraduate training in related areas
also are acceptable candidates, provided deficiencies are eliminated
during the first year of study.
The Ph.D. program requires a
minimum of 72 credits, including 32 credits of course work. At least 24
credits of advanced research must be conducted during one year of
residence. Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. requires the
satisfactory completion of course work and a qualifying examination
that includes the defense of a detailed research proposal. The doctoral
dissertation is based on original laboratory research.
Joint Ph.D. degrees are awarded in this program. See related information at the beginning of this chapter.
In addition to the courses listed below, students draw upon courses
offered in other graduate programs, such as biochemistry and molecular
biology, computer science, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology, and
toxicology. Students are encouraged to participate in seminar programs
and journal clubs.
Except for transfer students and M.D./Ph.D.
candidates, most students enter the program as recruits from the core
curriculum in molecular biosciences. Upon completing the requirements
of the core (one year), students opting to specialize in cellular and
molecular pharmacology must select a faculty adviser from the program.
