Graduate Bulletin
Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmacodynamics, Ph.D.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 15 [December 15 for international applicants]
All applications are evaluated by the end of January.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence and professionals in a supervisory position.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:
It is recommended that applicants complete the courses taken in obtaining a B.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Psychology, or Pharmacy before entering the program.
Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
Not required.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
A baccalaureate degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Psychology, or Pharmacy is required.
Statement of Goals:
The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.
Standardized Test Scores:
The GRE is required. The GRE scores should be in the 65th percentile or above. Recent scores have been in the range of 650-700+ quantitative and 500-600+ verbal.
Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.
Resume:
A resume is encouraged.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 40
Required Courses:
405: Principles of Drug Action and Pharmacokinetics
411: Pharmaceutical Analysis
577: Pharmacodynamics
624: Seminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmacokinetics
Introductory Pharmacology
Principles of Physiology
BIOCHEM 503: Graduate Biochemistry
BIOCHEM 550: Scientific Writing
Statistics
Elective courses should be taken in Biology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, and other areas as determined by the faculty advisor.
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examination:
The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge in specialized areas of Pharmacodynamics. The examination evaluates the student's ability to apply specific research foci to anticipated practical problems in Pharmacodynamics. Students who accumulate 40 didactic credits are eligible to take the exam.
The written examination is on three of the following subjects: Pharmacodynamics, Chromatographic Separations, Organic Synthesis, and Spectroscopic Identification. Instructors in each course are asked to write a preliminary exam that covers the major concepts in their specific area of study. Individual instructors score the exam, assessing the student's competence on a pass/fail basis. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of concepts in Pharmacodynamics and in organic synthesis; application of that knowledge to design compounds and synthetic routes to target compounds; an understanding of the pharmacology behind the deign of the compounds; and the ability to write technical prose in a manner consistent with scientists in the field.
Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with the Director of Graduate Studies and register with the Graduate Secretary. The student and Director will receive confirmation of the time, date, room, and proctor for the examination.
Dissertation Proposal:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after completing the preliminary exam. Upon approval, a doctoral student is promoted to a Ph.D. candidate and a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process will be established.
Dissertation:
The Doctoral Dissertation is an original, theoretical, and/or empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field of pharmaceutics. It should expand existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the pharmaceutics field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of pharmaceutics; and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.
The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the School of Pharmacy. Committee compositions must be approved by the departmental graduate committee. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of her/his academic progress.
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense, including the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the School of Pharmacy. The Outside Examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the departmental graduate committee and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward to the student the appropriate forms. After the Graduate Secretary has made the arrangements, the student must send the Graduate School a completed "Announcement of Oral Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post flyers announcing the defense.
Contacts
Program Contact Information:
www.temple.edu/pharmacy/graduate.htm
Department Information:
Office of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Pharmacy
3307 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
tuspgrad@temple.edu
215-707-4972
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Graduate Secretary
Room 407
tuspgrad@temple.edu
215-707-4948
Program Coordinator:
Daniel J. Canney, Ph.D.
tuspgrad@temple.edu
Graduate Chairperson:
Daniel J. Canney, Ph.D.
phscgrad@temple.edu
Associate Director of Graduate Studies:
Joy Baumgardner, Ph.D.
joy.baumgardner@temple.edu
Chairperson:
Robert Raffa, Ph.D.
robert.raffa@temple.edu
About the Program
The School of Pharmacy offers a graduate program leading to the M.S. and the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Pharmacodynamics. The program is designed to prepare students for positions in the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and faculty positions in various departments performing biomedical research.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years
Campus Location:
Health Sciences
Students may take a majority of required and elective courses at the Main and Health Sciences campuses. Several courses may be offered at the Fort Washington campus. Research must be carried out at the Health Sciences campus under the supervision of an advisor who is a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Full-time status is highly preferred due to the nature of ongoing research.
Department Information:
Office of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Pharmacy
3307 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
tuspgrad@temple.edu
215-707-4972
Interdisciplinary Study:
The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and collaborations among faculty and students with interests in Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Modeling.
Affiliation(s):
Not applicable.
Study Abroad:
No.
Ranking:
Not applicable.
Accreditation:
Not applicable.
Areas of Specialization:
The Pharmacodynamics concentration involves the study of integrated drug transport and mechanism of drug action research. For more information, see our faculty's research interests as described at www.temple.edu/pharmacy/graduate_faculty.htm.
Job Placement:
Graduates generally accept employment offers shortly before or after defending their dissertation. Job opportunities for graduates include positions as postdoctoral researchers, scientists in the pharmaceutical industry, and faculty members in a variety of departments involved in biomedical research.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Degree Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students are able to take up to 9 credits.
Financing Opportunities
Support options include University Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, and NIH training grants. Recipients of support are determined on a competitive basis during the admission process. Fellowships and assistantships include full tuition remission (up to 9 credits) and a monthly stipend. The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant (TA) include assisting faculty members in laboratory instruction, preparing apparatus or materials for Pharm.D. students, conducting recitations, grading quizzes and reports, and proctoring exams. TAs are expected to work 20 hours per week. Research Assistants (RAs) are expected to spend 20 hours per week engaged in research and will be assigned to a specific faculty member. The research subjects are determined by consultation between the student and her/his research advisor. The department makes offers of assistantships on or before May 1. June 1 is the final date for acceptance or declination of department offers of support. Applications should be directed to Office of Graduate Admissions, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 North Broad Street, Suite 407, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
Updated 2.7.06
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