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The Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology (CMPP) program is an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to a doctor of philosophy degree only. The program is designed to prepare the student for a competitive research and teaching career in pharmacology or physiology. A flexible, multidisciplinary basic sciences curriculum, combined with advanced pharmacology and physiology courses, provides the foundation of knowledge needed for subsequent research activities.
Candidates for admission to the program must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School and additional requirements imposed by the CMPP program. Before entering the program, students should have completed the following: five semesters of chemistry (including two semesters of organic chemistry and one semester of physical chemistry), two semesters of both biology and physics and one semester of calculus. If a student is admitted with a deficiency in these courses, the required courses must be completed early in the graduate program.
Twenty-four credits of dissertation work, as well as a core curriculum of required courses and various elective courses, comprise the program. The course of study is flexible enough to satisfy the student’s career interests. One credit of comprehensive examination is required within the 72 credits beyond the BA/BS degree. The comprehensive examination will not count toward the required 48 credits of 700-level course work.
During their first year in the program, students participate in two research rotations. As their training progresses, students will gain experience in critical thinking, scientific writing, oral communication and laboratory practices. At the end of the second year, each student is required to pass a comprehensive qualifying examination. As part of this examination, each student proposes a research project in the form of a written grant proposal. Following acceptance of the proposal, each student must defend his research project orally before the examining committee.
All candidates present a public seminar on their dissertation research and must pass an oral defense of the dissertation.