Graduate Studies Information
Overview: In our graduate program in Pharmacology, students become involved in discovering the mechanism of action of drugs, using drugs as tools or probes to learn how body systems work, and studying disease models to find new targets on which drugs can act. In the Division of Pharmacology, our major areas of research are cardiovascular pharmacology and neuropharmacology.
A program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees is offered. The Ph.D. program consists of course work leading to mastery of the basic research sciences, and techniques that are used in research in pharmacology. Formal course work generally takes two years. Following coursework and completion of a comprehensive examination, students work closely with a faculty mentor to complete a research project. A dissertation describing the research and its significance is required. Publication of this information in peer-reviewed scientific journals is expected of all students.
An Active and Interdisciplinary Research Mission: .
Our faculty are experts in a wide range of pharmacological methods, including intact animal experimentation (particularly cardiovascular and neuropharmacology), isolated organ studies, cellular signal transduction and molecular biology, and are funded by major granting agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, among others. Our multi-level approach is an excellent environment for the training of well-rounded pharmacologists.
Excellent Research Facilities: The Ohio State University is a comprehensive research institution and the research infrastructure is extensive and easily accessible for students and faculty. Among the facilities available are: electron, laser confocal and scanning microscopy, DNA and protein sequencing and synthesis, transgenic animal facilities, computational chemistry, computer aided design, and macromolecule Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The Division facilities are described
here. Our beautifully designed new library contains excellent sources of pharmacology and other journals. We have active collaborations with many other OSU programs, including the Center for Molecular Neurobiology,
Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program, the
Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and
Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute. These interactions are a great opportunity for graduate students to get involved in diverse and interdisciplinary research projects and interact with students and faculty from across campus.
Courses: Pharmacology involves many inter-related scientific disciplines. These include chemistry, biochemistry, pathophysiology, cellular and molecular biology, and others. Students are required to complete a set of core courses that provide a foundation in these areas. The required courses cover the basics of pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, and statistics. In addition to the core classes, Ph.D. students take additional courses that relate to their chosen areas of research. Students complete all core course requirements by the end of their second year of residence. Participation in the Divisional seminar course is required each quarter and students present one seminar a year in this course. Proficiency in the verbal presentation of scientific data is actively developed in seminar and also in the course Contemporary Pharmacology.
Research: During the first year in the program, students choose a faculty mentor who will guide their research project. Students can experience research methods and techniques from several different faculty laboratories before making their final decision, if desired. Upon completion of course requirements, students are begin full time research activities. The student will work directly with the faculty mentor and his/her research team to complete an original research project. Students are trained to become independent researchers and will gain expertise in the specialty area in which they are working. The research project culminates with the writing of the Ph.D. dissertation and an oral defense of the project. The research phase of the program usually lasts about two to three years. Publication of the research in peer-reviewed scientific journals is expected of all students.
Names of potential faculty mentors and descriptions of their research activities are provided in the section "Faculty and Research".
An idea of the types of interesting research projects on which students work can be formed from the listing
of titles of dissertations written by recent graduates.
[ back to top ]
Size of Program: The graduate program in pharmacology consists of approximately 15 graduate students. This group is part of the larger graduate program in pharmacy (pharmaceutical sciences), with a total student population of approximately 100 students in 5 different specialty areas. The graduate student group in pharmacology and their undergraduate educational background is provided in the list of current students.
Funding: We currently provide a stipend and a tuition waiver to all of our Ph.D. students. For the academic year of 2005-2006, the stipend level is $. With the amount of the tuition waiver added to this, the value of the package is $ for Ohio residents and $ for non Ohio residents.
Application Information: Application Information: The deadlines for completed applications with
financial assistance (Graduate Teaching Associateships and Graduate Research Associateships) are:
Autumn - January 1st
Winter - September 1st
Spring - November 1st
Summer - February 1st
The applicant must have completed bachelor's degree or equivalent before enrolling. Evaluation of applications is coordinated between the university admission office, the College of Pharmacy Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and the pharmacology program director. Priority is given to application materials received early, and as admission is competitive, early application is strongly recommended.
Procedures, Rules, and Regulations: Descriptions of program requirements specific for pharmacology are provided in the Pharmacology Graduate Handbook. There are additional policies for the Graduate Program in the College of Pharmacy. Finally, at The Ohio State University, all graduate programs follow a common set of procedures established by the Graduate School. These general policies are contained in The Ohio State University Graduate Handbook.
Viewing PDF documents requires Acrobat Reader.
[ back to top ]
