Programs
Pharmacology
The objective of the cellular and molecular pharmacology program is to provide a thorough understanding of basic pharmacology and to prepare graduates for careers as investigative pharmacologists and physiologists in academia, industry, government, and other careers. The PhD and MS degree programs include coursework in pharmacology, physiology, and the basic biomedical sciences as well as seminar participation. The main component of the PhD program is original laboratory investigation in pharmacology within an affiliated lab. The PhD degree is awarded upon completion of scholarly work and research described in a publishable dissertation. Similarly, the main component of the Plan A MS degree is original laboratory research, although narrower in scope than PhD work. We also offer a Plan B MS degree that is focused on a comprehensive literature review of a particular topic.
The PhD and MS programs are hosted within the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. Department faculty, fellows, students, and staff are dedicated to cutting-edge scientific research for a better understanding of how the human body functions and to alleviate diseases. Our department and program contain international leaders in multiple areas, including cardiovascular disease, vascular biology, cellular signaling, G-protein coupled receptors, ion channels, mitochondria, muscle biology and neurodegeneration, and neuropharmacology.
Learners in our programs generally work with several faculty mentors during their first-year rotations. This is an excellent opportunity to gain wide experience and appreciate different mentoring styles. Ultimately, learners select a single mentor (or occasionally co-mentors) with whom they conduct the majority of their work. However, through our coursework, seminar program, and general interactions within the department, learners are exposed to concepts, techniques, and active research questions in all these areas. Furthermore, our training environment features experts in multiple techniques, such as advanced microscopy, molecular biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, animal behavior, and transcriptomics.
In addition, our program emphasizes improving scientific communication skills, both written and oral. Our curriculum includes specific courses on scientific communication as well as annual, or more frequent, presentations from students through the seminar program. This combination of foundational course work, experimental research training, and communication skills leaves our learners well prepared for their career goals. Graduates go on to academic postdocs and positions in industry and biotech startups.
Information about faculty and research can be found on the Pharmacology website.
AdmissionsLink to section
Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section
Successful applicants to our MS program will generally have a four-year baccalaureate degree, typically in basic or applied sciences such as biology, biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. Students applying with degrees in other backgrounds may also apply but should have some basic training in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and organic chemistry. Courses in molecular biology, statistics, and physics are encouraged but not required. Graduate record exam scores are not required. Undergraduate, or graduate if applicable, transcripts are required. Successful applicants will also generally have some laboratory experience such as from undergraduate projects, summer research experiences, and/or employment in a research lab. Applicants must arrange to have at least three letters of support submitted on their behalf. These letters should be sent from people with direct knowledge of the applicant’s research potential.
We also require a personal statement from each applicant. We recognize that learners come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, with varying levels of access to lab experience and educational opportunities, as well as different time and life commitments. In our experience, the best predictor of success in our MS program is not the GPA or ranking of undergraduate institution. Rather, the best predictors are an interest in their research that is both genuine and deep; a strong work ethic and resilience; and an abundant capacity to adapt, grow, and learn. These factors can be difficult to demonstrate in a typical resume. Therefore, we encourage applicants to specifically address the following criteria in their personal statement: their specific reason(s) for applying to our MS program, their enthusiasm for research, their fit to our specific program, and circumstances that demonstrate their adaptability and resilience in a research or of real-life setting.
Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section
Successful applicants to our PhD program generally have a four-year baccalaureate degree, typically in basic or applied sciences such as biology, biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. Students applying with degrees in other backgrounds may also apply but should have some basic training in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and organic chemistry. Courses in molecular biology, statistics, and physics are encouraged but not required. Graduate record exam scores are not required. Undergraduate, or graduate if applicable, transcripts are required. Successful applicants to the PhD program will also generally have laboratory experience such as from undergraduate projects, summer research experiences, and/or employment in a research lab or an MS degree program. Applicants must arrange to have at least three letters of support submitted on their behalf. These letters should be sent from people with direct knowledge of the applicant’s academic and/or research potential.
We also require a personal statement from each applicant. We recognize that learners come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, with varying levels of access to lab experience and educational opportunities, as well as different time and life commitments. In our experience, the best predictor of success in our PhD program is not the GPA or ranking of undergraduate institution. Rather, the best predictors are an interest in their research that is both genuine and deep; a strong work ethic and resilience; and an abundant capacity to adapt, grow, and learn. These factors can be difficult to demonstrate in a typical resume. Therefore, we encourage applicants to specifically address the following criteria in their personal statement: their enthusiasm and motivation for research, their fit to our specific program, and circumstances that demonstrate their adaptability and resilience in a research or of real-life setting.
AcademicsLink to section
Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section
Required Courses
Fall Semester
- Foundations in Modern Biology I
- Human Cell Physiology
- Ethics and Professional Integrity
- Pharmacology and Physiology Seminar*
Spring Semester
- Foundations in Modern Biology II (Module 1)
- Signal Transduction
- Principles of Pharmacology
- Effective Scientific Communication
- Pharmacology and Physiology Seminar*
*Students must take this course every semester they are enrolled in the program. Students are also required to take five credits of electives that can be chosen from:
- Science Communication for Diverse Audiences
- Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology
- Immunology
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Biology of Human Disease I
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Biology and Disease
- Signal Transduction
- Introduction to Structure and Analysis of Biomolecules
- Ion Channels and Disease
- Drug Discovery
- Biology of Neurological Diseases
- Cell Biology of Human Disease II
Students may also request to take electives not on this list; however, this requires the approval of the pharmacology graduate Committee.
We offer two research MS degree paths: Plan A and Plan B. The Plan A MS is focused on bench research, and students complete an original laboratory research project. Plan A MS completes at least one, but not more than three, laboratory rotations before selecting a lab and MS mentor with whom to conduct their studies. Plan A MS students are also required to present at least twice in PHP 502; the first is a literature review and the second is the open component of their MS defense. Plan A students conduct a mentored research project, similar to a PhD thesis but much narrower in scope, write an MS dissertation, present their work in a public seminar, and defend it in a closed-door examination.
The Plan B MS degree focuses on literature research. Students complete a detailed assessment of primary scientific literature on a current or emerging topic of interest in pharmacology. In lieu of conducting lab rotations and practical experiments, Plan B students identify a mentor and, with the mentor’s guidance, complete a master’s essay that presents a critical review of a current pharmacology topic. They also present twice in PHP 502, which includes a public seminar and closed-door examination.
Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section
Required Courses
Fall Semester
- Foundations in Modern Biology I
- Human Cell Physiology
- Ethics and Professional Integrity
- Pharmacology and Physiology Seminar*
Spring Semester
- Foundations in Modern Biology II (Module 1)
- Signal Transduction
- Principles of Pharmacology
- Effective Scientific Communication
- Pharmacology and Physiology Seminar*
Summer Semester
- Statistical Rigor and Data Analysis
*Students must take this course every semester they are enrolled in the program. Students are also required to take six credits of electives which can be chosen from:
- Science Communication for Diverse Audiences
- Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology
- Immunology
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Biology of Human Disease I
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Biology and Disease
- Introduction to Structure and Analysis of Biomolecules
- Ion Channels and Disease
- Drug Discovery
- Biology of Neurological Diseases
- Cell Biology of Human Disease II
Students may also request to take electives not on this list; however, this requires the approval of the pharmacology graduate committee.
PhD students are also required to complete three laboratory rotations within their first year. These include written rotation reports as well as a research seminar on one of these rotations. In the second year, PhD students must present two seminars. One will be a literature review and the other a research seminar. In the third year, PhD students will undertake their qualifying exam. Upon the successful completion of their qualifying exam, students receive an MS degree and become a PhD candidate. For the remaining years, students are required to continue their research work, present their research data annually in the seminar program, and meet with their dissertation committee at least annually. Prior to their PhD defense, students must have completed one semester as a teaching assistant or peer tutor and must have submitted at least one first author manuscript for publication.
Bioinformatics Concentration
PhD students are eligible to participate in a New York State-certified concentration in bioinformatics. This entails coursework to be taken using elective slots in the core curriculum (or in addition to other electives). The coursework is specifically designed to provide theoretical and practical training in bioinformatics, supplementing the core curriculum. Students in this concentration will take two existing courses, one focused on programming and the other on statistical analysis of biological data. These students will also take part in an interactive seminar featuring discussion of cutting-edge topics in the field. Coursework requirements for the bioinformatics concentration can be fulfilled anytime during a student’s training, so long as they are complete by the time of graduation. Choosing to participate in a concentration is a decision that should be made by the student in consultation with their PhD research advisor and/or the Program Director.
Graduate Course TitlesLink to section
- PHP 403: Human Cell Physiology
- PHP 404: Principles of Pharmacology
- PHP 405: Effective Scientific Communication
- PHP 447: Signal Transduction
- PHP 465: Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology
- PHP 467: Statistical Rigor and Data Analysis
- PHP 468: Introduction to Structure and Analysis of Biomolecules
- PHP 491: Master’s Readings
- PHP 492: Master’s Essay
- PHP 495: Master’s Research
- PHP 496: Master’s Lab Rotations
- PHP 502: Pharmacology and Physiology Seminar
- PHP 550: Ion Channels and Disease
- PHP 595: PhD Research
- PHP 596: PhD Lab Rotations
- IND 426: Science Communication for Diverse Audiences
- PHP 465: Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology
- MBI 473: Immunology
- BST 463: Introduction to Biostatistics
- PTH 507: Cancer Biology
- PTH 509: Cell Biology of Human Disease I
- NSC 512: Cellular Neuroscience
- CVS 401: Cardiovascular Biology and Disease
- IND 447/PHP 447: Signal Transduction
- PHP 468: Introduction to Structure and Analysis of Biomolecules
- PHP 550: Ion Channels and Disease
- MBI 403: Drug Discovery
- NSC 525: Biology of Neurological Diseases
- PTH 510: Cell Biology of Human Disease II