Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy Graduate Studies
The faculty of the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy have a broad range of expertise in areas of synthetic medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Thus, the programs of graduate students in our Division will vary greatly. Central to all of these programs are the subjects of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry/pharmacognosy. Three general programs exist in our division: medicinal chemistry, natural product chemistry and pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical analysis.
Medicinal Chemistry, Natural Product Chemistry, and Pharmacognosy Requirements
Biochemical Track Graduate Course requirements (PDF)
Synthetic Medchem Track Graduate Course requirements (PDF)
Natural Products Track Graduate Course requirements (PDF)
Each student may take slightly different paths to complete the necessary minimum core of important courses by the end of the second year, and also take appropriate electives during Years 2 and 3 necessary for research specialization. Most students will complete the core courses in a two year period, while a few students who must take more than one series of additional prep courses (e.g., calculus and physical chemistry) will complete the core courses in a three year period. Students will take additional courses depending on their research interests and advisor (such as Pharmacy 800) during the second and/or third years.
A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 after the first year to remain in the program. In addition, the progress of each graduate student in the program is monitored by both the student's graduate faculty advisor and by the Division faculty. A written evaluation of the student's progress in the program, research effort, and teaching activities is prepared at the end of each academic year.
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General Examination: Written Examination and Oral Examination
The general examination is required for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The written portion of the exam is taken following completion of the student's core coursework program (usually 2 years). The examination, administered over 2 days in September, is composed of 12 questions prepared by the entire division faculty. This exam will cover topics in the areas of medicinal chemistry, natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical analysis. The student must answer 3 of 6 questions each day. A total of 4 of the 6 questions answered must be passed for a successful completion of the exam. According to Graduate School regulations, a student who fails to pass the written examination may request a reexamination. The reexamination is administered in January.
The oral portion of the general examination must be taken within two academic quarters of the completion of the written cumulative exams. The oral exam will consist of a defense of an independent research proposal developed by the student, as well as answering questions concerning the student's course work and research.
Seminars
Required of all Ph.D. graduate students is the presentation of three formal seminars on material not related to the chosen research area and one seminar on their dissertation research during the final year, prior to completion of the Ph.D. degree.
[ View Seminars Policies document (PDF) ] - Updated for Autumn 2005
Doctoral Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation defines the Ph.D. degree and demonstrates the ability of the graduate student to perform independent research and scholarly activities. The dissertation details the research carried out, describes the results obtained, reports the relationship of the research to previous work in the field, and discusses the significance of the research in the further understanding the field.
[ View Past Dissertation Topics ]
Graduate Student Support
Graduate students in the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy may be supported in one of three ways:
Graduate Fellowships: Students may be supported by a fellowship award, such as a University Fellow from the OSU Graduate School, a fellowship from the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, or a fellowship from NIH.
Research Associateships: Students may be appointed as a graduate research associate (GRA) and be involved on specific research projects. The student is often involved in research that is integral with the student's dissertation research project.
Teaching Associateships: Students may be appointed as a graduate teaching associate (GTA) and be involved in the undergraduate and graduate teaching programs of the Division GTAs will be responsible for recitation sections, laboratory exercises, and/or teaching support activities for assigned course(s).
[ Download Graduate Student Handbook (PDF) ]
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