PhD
PhD in Pharmacology
Students pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology will enroll in the Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences (IPBS). In the IPBS, a common first-year curriculum provides you with a broad base of graduate-level biomedical sciences course work. The first-year curriculum also exposes you to some specialized topics and to the research interests of the graduate faculty from among whom you may select a dissertation advisor at the end of the first year of the program. You will then select Pharmacology as a specialized track to pursue the relevant advanced course work and training that most appropriately aligns with your research interests and career goals. The PhD track in Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience is dedicated to training outstanding scientists in the pharmacological sciences. After successful completion of your formal course work you will have acquired in-depth knowledge of pharmacology and basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and physiology. After completion of your research project, you will have acquired expertise in your dissertation research area, including the ability to critically evaluate the related scientific literature, mastery of a variety of laboratory procedures, skills in planning and executing an important research project in Pharmacology, and the ability to communicate results in oral and written formats. Our training will provide you with a solid foundation for successful scientific careers in a wide range of areas, including academia, government, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Learn more about the IPBS program.
COURSEWORK
The first year of the PhD program will broaden your understanding of Biomedical Sciences. As part of the Core Curriculum in Biomedical Sciences, you will attend graduate level courses in Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Ethics in Biomedical Sciences, and Methods in Biomedical Sciences in the Fall semester. Systems Biology, Statistical Methods for the Biomedical Sciences, and Presentation Skills courses are taken in the Spring semester, along with Principles of Pharmacology and research rotations.
Formal coursework, including elective courses and advanced Pharmacology course work, is normally completed by the end of the second year, after which you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through successful completion of a Qualifying examination.
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
The qualifying examination consists of preparation and oral defense of a mock grant proposal on a topic different from your intended dissertation research. Once you pass the examiniation, you are formally admitted to candidacy in the PhD program. The purpose of the qualifying exam is to show that you have knowledge and understanding of the topic and supporting scientific literature and that you can:
- formulate a hypothesis or experimental question that is clearly stated, testable, and well-justified;
- design an experimental approach that is logical and that directly tests the hypothesis or experimental question;
- clearly articulate and describe the research proposal.
THESIS DISSERTATION
Our graduate program is committed to training outstanding research scientists. With the mentorship of a faculty advisor, you will undertake an independent research project culminating in new and significant contributions to the Pharmacological sciences. Major areas of research emphasis are: Cell Surface Receptors; Signal Transduction Mechanisms; Neuropharmacology; Cancer Pharmacology; Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
You will select a faculty advisor in consultation with the Graduate Program Director (GPD) after you complete research rotations in your first year. After completion of at least three, six-to-eight week rotations in different laboratories. Your faculty advisor will serve on your qualifying examination committee, help you plan a written research proposal, and establish a Dissertation Committee. Throughout your Loyola tenure, your advisor will provide advice and direction on your research project, monitor your progress through program requirements, and provide other help and counseling needed for you to complete the program.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
We believe that students must be able to communicate effectively, whether writing an article that describes their analysis and interpretation of their research results, writing a grant proposal, or presenting a seminar or lecture. We will help you to develop the necessary skills that will enable you to express your thoughts in a clear, organized, and concise manner. Our program offers many opportunities to enhance your oral and written skills through a number of formal and informal sessions. These opportunities include:
TEACHING
The Department requires our graduate students to develop teaching skills. As senior level PhD student (3rd year and beyond), you can enroll in a Teaching Pharmacology course that will provide you with the opportunity to give up to three lectures per academic year in courses determined by the Department's Graduate faculty. Lecture topics are usually in areas related to your dissertation research. With the guidance of the Faculty Course Director, you will learn how to organize the lecture topics, develop clear presentation materials, deliver focused informative lectures, and write and grade examination questions.
SEMINARS AND JOURNAL CLUB
An important element of our program is participation in seminars and journal clubs. The Pharmacology seminar series is held bi-monthly and is attended by the faculty, students and post-doctoral researchers. Nationally and internationally recognized faculty- and student-invited scientists from a range of disciplines present seminars on the latest developments in their research. Our seminar series serves to expand our knowledge and awareness of research activities outside our department and university. You will meet informally with the speakers, joining them for lunch, to have the opportunity to inform them of your own research interests and exchange ideas.
All Pharmacology graduate students attend weekly Journal Club. You will present and discuss recently published articles from scientific journals of particular interest. Journal club provides an excellent opportunity for you and your fellow students to learn from each other, while developing your communication and presentation skills.
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PRESENTATIONS
In the Spring semester, Pharmacology students present seminars to the department on their research projects, providing an excellent opportunity to update the department on your project and improve your presentation skills.
DEPARTMENT RETREAT
Our bi-annual Pharmacology retreat is held in September at the Brookfield Zoo, when we welcome and integrate new students into the department and provide another collegial opportunity. The retreat program includes short presentations by faculty members about their research interests and a poster session featuring the work of students and post-doctoral fellows. Complementing the scientific component, everyone has the opportunity to take a tour of the world-renowned zoo.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
While we engage in our research activities, we also like to engage in fun activities. Our annual summer picnic is an excellent example: we gather at a nearby park and enjoy good food and drink and engage in fun activities. Additionally, we honor faculty at our annual Faculty of the Year award dinner at a restaurant in the Chicago area.
Students pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology will enroll in the Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences (IPBS). In the IPBS, a common first-year curriculum provides you with a broad base of graduate-level biomedical sciences course work. The first-year curriculum also exposes you to some specialized topics and to the research interests of the graduate faculty from among whom you may select a dissertation advisor at the end of the first year of the program. You will then select Pharmacology as a specialized track to pursue the relevant advanced course work and training that most appropriately aligns with your research interests and career goals. The PhD track in Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience is dedicated to training outstanding scientists in the pharmacological sciences. After successful completion of your formal course work you will have acquired in-depth knowledge of pharmacology and basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and physiology. After completion of your research project, you will have acquired expertise in your dissertation research area, including the ability to critically evaluate the related scientific literature, mastery of a variety of laboratory procedures, skills in planning and executing an important research project in Pharmacology, and the ability to communicate results in oral and written formats. Our training will provide you with a solid foundation for successful scientific careers in a wide range of areas, including academia, government, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Learn more about the IPBS program.
COURSEWORK
The first year of the PhD program will broaden your understanding of Biomedical Sciences. As part of the Core Curriculum in Biomedical Sciences, you will attend graduate level courses in Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Ethics in Biomedical Sciences, and Methods in Biomedical Sciences in the Fall semester. Systems Biology, Statistical Methods for the Biomedical Sciences, and Presentation Skills courses are taken in the Spring semester, along with Principles of Pharmacology and research rotations.
Formal coursework, including elective courses and advanced Pharmacology course work, is normally completed by the end of the second year, after which you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through successful completion of a Qualifying examination.
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
The qualifying examination consists of preparation and oral defense of a mock grant proposal on a topic different from your intended dissertation research. Once you pass the examiniation, you are formally admitted to candidacy in the PhD program. The purpose of the qualifying exam is to show that you have knowledge and understanding of the topic and supporting scientific literature and that you can:
- formulate a hypothesis or experimental question that is clearly stated, testable, and well-justified;
- design an experimental approach that is logical and that directly tests the hypothesis or experimental question;
- clearly articulate and describe the research proposal.
THESIS DISSERTATION
Our graduate program is committed to training outstanding research scientists. With the mentorship of a faculty advisor, you will undertake an independent research project culminating in new and significant contributions to the Pharmacological sciences. Major areas of research emphasis are: Cell Surface Receptors; Signal Transduction Mechanisms; Neuropharmacology; Cancer Pharmacology; Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
You will select a faculty advisor in consultation with the Graduate Program Director (GPD) after you complete research rotations in your first year. After completion of at least three, six-to-eight week rotations in different laboratories. Your faculty advisor will serve on your qualifying examination committee, help you plan a written research proposal, and establish a Dissertation Committee. Throughout your Loyola tenure, your advisor will provide advice and direction on your research project, monitor your progress through program requirements, and provide other help and counseling needed for you to complete the program.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
We believe that students must be able to communicate effectively, whether writing an article that describes their analysis and interpretation of their research results, writing a grant proposal, or presenting a seminar or lecture. We will help you to develop the necessary skills that will enable you to express your thoughts in a clear, organized, and concise manner. Our program offers many opportunities to enhance your oral and written skills through a number of formal and informal sessions. These opportunities include:
TEACHING
The Department requires our graduate students to develop teaching skills. As senior level PhD student (3rd year and beyond), you can enroll in a Teaching Pharmacology course that will provide you with the opportunity to give up to three lectures per academic year in courses determined by the Department's Graduate faculty. Lecture topics are usually in areas related to your dissertation research. With the guidance of the Faculty Course Director, you will learn how to organize the lecture topics, develop clear presentation materials, deliver focused informative lectures, and write and grade examination questions.
SEMINARS AND JOURNAL CLUB
An important element of our program is participation in seminars and journal clubs. The Pharmacology seminar series is held bi-monthly and is attended by the faculty, students and post-doctoral researchers. Nationally and internationally recognized faculty- and student-invited scientists from a range of disciplines present seminars on the latest developments in their research. Our seminar series serves to expand our knowledge and awareness of research activities outside our department and university. You will meet informally with the speakers, joining them for lunch, to have the opportunity to inform them of your own research interests and exchange ideas.
All Pharmacology graduate students attend weekly Journal Club. You will present and discuss recently published articles from scientific journals of particular interest. Journal club provides an excellent opportunity for you and your fellow students to learn from each other, while developing your communication and presentation skills.
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PRESENTATIONS
In the Spring semester, Pharmacology students present seminars to the department on their research projects, providing an excellent opportunity to update the department on your project and improve your presentation skills.
DEPARTMENT RETREAT
Our bi-annual Pharmacology retreat is held in September at the Brookfield Zoo, when we welcome and integrate new students into the department and provide another collegial opportunity. The retreat program includes short presentations by faculty members about their research interests and a poster session featuring the work of students and post-doctoral fellows. Complementing the scientific component, everyone has the opportunity to take a tour of the world-renowned zoo.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
While we engage in our research activities, we also like to engage in fun activities. Our annual summer picnic is an excellent example: we gather at a nearby park and enjoy good food and drink and engage in fun activities. Additionally, we honor faculty at our annual Faculty of the Year award dinner at a restaurant in the Chicago area.