Graduate Bulletin

Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics, Ph.D.

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: December 15

All applications are evaluated together after the deadline.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

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:

Before entering the program, it is recommended that applicants complete courses (or their equivalent as determined by the School of Pharmacy) in Mathematics, at least through differential equations, and Physical Chemistry.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A master's degree is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree in Pharmacy, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline is required.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your specific 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.

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 100 iBT or 600 PBT.

Resume:

A resume is encouraged. 

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 40

Required Courses:

Core Courses (20 credits):

BIOC 8203: Fundamentals of Biochemistry

PS 8000: Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences

PS 8002: Pharmaceutical Analysis

PS 8051: Seminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences

PS 8121: Survey of Pharmaceutical Sciences

PS 8127: Pharmacokinetics

PS 8403: Pharmacogenomics

Statistics

Other coursework (20 credits)

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 the discipline. The examination evaluates the student's ability to apply specific research foci to anticipated practical problems in the field. Students who accumulate 40 didactic credits are eligible to take the exam.

The preliminary exam consists of two sections. The first is a written section consisting of questions from the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC). Each member of the DAC submits a question and then judges the quality of the student's answer based on on criteria such as accuracy, thoroughness, and originality. They then share that score and their rationale for it with the other members of the DAC. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of concepts in the areas being tested; application of that knowledge; and the ability to write technical prose in a manner consistent with scientists in the field. The second section pf the preliminary exam includes the preparation of a research proposal approved by the DAC and a 30-minute oral summary of the proposal followed by an oral defense of the proposal.

Students who are preparing to take their preliminary examination should confirm a time and date with the Director of Graduate Studies and register with the Administrative Assistant in the Office of Graduate Studies. The student and Director 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: (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 are established.

Dissertation:

The doctoral dissertation is an original, theoretical, and/or empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. The dissertation should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field; and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.

The Dissertation Examining Committee (DEC)is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research. It is charged with evaluating 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. The DEC, which includes the members of the DAC, is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the School of Pharmacy. 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. At least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the School of Pharmacy must be included on the DEC. This outside examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation. The DEC members vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.

Committee compositions must be approved by the departmental graduate committee. If a student needs to change a member of a committee, the new member must be approved by the departmental graduate committee and by the Graduate School. The changes must be documented with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School using the Request for Change in Dissertation Committee form.

Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their DEC and register with the Office of Graduate Studies at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Office of Graduate Studies arranges the time, date, and room and forwards 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 date. The department posts flyers announcing the defense.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/pharmacy/programs/Graduate.html

Department Information:

Office of Graduate Studies

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy
3307 N. Broad Street, Suite 528
Philadelphia, PA 19140
tuspgrad@temple.edu
215-707-4972

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Sophon Din

tuspgrad@temple.edu

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 Baumgarder, Ph.D.

joy.baumgardner@temple.edu

Department Chairperson:

Robert Raffa, Ph.D.

robert.raffa@temple.edu

About the Program

The School of Pharmacy offers graduate program leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The programs are designed to prepare students for positions in the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and faculty positions in schools of pharmacy.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Health Sciences, Fort Washington

Students may take a majority of required and elective courses at the Health Sciences and Fort Washington campuses. Some courses may be offered on Main 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:

The Ph.D program is considered full-time. A minimum residency of one year is required during which the student must work full-time in a laboratory at the School of Pharmacy under the direction of a faculty member in the department. 

Department Information:

Office of Graduate Studies

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy
3307 N. Broad Street, Suite 528
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 Biochemistry, Molecular Modeling, Organic Chemistry, and Pharmacology.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Faculty members specialize and offer graduate coursework in controlled release dosage forms, drug metabolism, encapsulation, mechanisms of drug action, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacokinetics, and solid dosage forms.

Job Placement:

The program is primarily intended to provide research scientists for the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and faculty positions in academia.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are permitted to take up to 9 credits before formal application must be made to the program.

Financing Opportunities

Support options include University Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships (TAs), and Research Assistantships (RAs). Recipients of support are determined on a competitive basis during the admission process.

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 are assigned to a specific faculty member. The research subjects are determined by consultation between the student and her/his research advisor.

Fellows and both TAs and RAs receive a stipend and full tuition remission (up to 9 credits per semester). Applications should include: (a) a statement of previous teaching and/or research experience, areas of interest, and future goals; (b) official transcripts; and (c) a curriculum vitae. The department attempts to make offers of assistantships on or before May 1. June 1 is the final date for acceptance or declination of department offers. Applications should be directed to Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 North Broad Street, Suite 528, Philadelphia, PA 19140.

Updated 11.7.12