Overview of the Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology Graduate Program
Introduction
The Department of Molecular & Biomedical Pharmacology provides graduate training in pharmacology leading to a Ph.D. degree. Almost all graduate students in the College of Medicine are admitted into a joint Integrated Biomedical Sciences program rather than being admitted into a specific department. Students take courses in the IBS program throughout their first year, and rotate through four laboratories to identify their dissertation advisor. Students enter the department and laboratory of their choice during the summer following their first year of graduate school.
Laboratory research is begun and additional coursework is taken during the second year, following which students take their qualifying examination. Students carry out dissertation research in the third and subsequent years of graduate school. Students most often defend their dissertation in their fifth year of graduate study.
Admissions
Most Pharmacology students are admitted through the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, and begin study in the fall semester. The IBS admissions committee evaluates applications based on academic preparation, research experience, interviews, and performance on the Graduate Record Examination. Undergraduate coursework in organic chemistry, calculus, physics, and the biological sciences is strongly recommended. Instructions for students wishing to enter the IBS program are given on the IBS web site.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Beginning graduate students will receive a stipend of $23,500 per annum in 2009-2010. Tuition and various University fees are paid by the Department. Health insurance coverage is provided by the Graduate School.
Curriculum
Integrated Biomedical Sciences students take three courses in both the fall and spring semesters of their first year, in addition to their laboratory rotations and attendance at research seminars. The IBS web site has a full description of the first-year curriculum.
After transferring to the Pharmacology program, students are expected to take courses in Statistics, Principles of Drug Action, and Molecular Drug Targets & Therapeutics.
Training Opportunities
In addition to formal coursework, students have opportunities to learn about research by attending research seminars, by discussing current research issues in various journal clubs, and by traveling to national conferences to present their research data.
Research That Matters
Our faculty's research programs can be grouped into three broad areas critical to human health: cancer/cell growth (Craven, Flesher, Kaetzel, Kilgore, Plattner, and Swanson), cardiovascular biology (Hadley and Piascik), and neuroscience (Blalock, Chen, Head, Landfield, Norris, Porter and Thibault). The faculty's specific research interests are described on their individual web pages.
Detailed Description of the Graduate Program
Pharmacology Graduate Handbook (pdf)
Please note that PDF files require the free Adobe® Reader® to view; click here to download Adobe® Reader® from Adobe's website.
NOTICE: Although every effort is made to ensure that this material [Pharmacology Graduate Handbook] is accurate and up to date, it is provided for the convenience of the user and should not be considered the official version. The official version of this material is available in the Pharmacology administrative offices. The user is advised to refer to and rely upon the official version of this material when making significant decisions or judgments.
For further information contact:
Robert W. Hadley, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Molecular & Biomedical Pharmacology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Lexington, KY 40536-0298
Phone: 859-257-6556
E-mail: rhadley@uky.edu