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.
