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Programs of Study

Introduction

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers a program of graduate study preferably leading to the Ph.D. degree, although candidates wishing to pursue an M.S. degree will be considered. The goal is to provide developing scientists with a basic knowledge of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology to enable them to conduct creative research on the effects of drugs and other chemicals at the molecular, organismic, and behavioral levels. Major areas of active research include molecular neuropharmacology, toxicology, behavioral pharmacology, autonomic and cardiovascular pharmacology, signal transduction, molecular mechanisms of G-protein regulation of receptor signaling, and molecular mechanisms of neuronal apoptosis. A close association with the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, the Department of Microbiology, the Department of Human Development and Family Life, the Higuchi Biosciences Center and the Department of Chemistry offers superb opportunities for collaborative research in areas of particular interest to individual students.

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

The course of study leading to the Ph.D. degree usually requires four to five years to complete. Each student devotes the full 12 month year to the pursuit of graduate work, with time for holidays and vacation. Students begin lab research training as soon as they enter the program, though a significant amount of time in the first two years is devoted to learning basic concepts through formal course work.

All students take a core of basic courses in pharmacology/toxicology, biochemistry/molecular biology, and medicinal chemistry. If a student has successfully completed an equivalent course at another university, it need not be repeated. In addition to the requirements, students may choose courses based on their own research interests or courses designed to provide specific research skills. Representative areas for such training are computer applications in the biomedical sciences, biostatistics, microscopy techniques, tissue culture methods, molecular biology methods, or molecular modeling procedures.

One component of our training program that students appreciate most is the opportunity to learn the art of presenting lectures in undergraduate classes and formal seminars describing their research projects. Careful mentoring and chances to practice using very practical presentation strategies lead to the development of excellent communication skills and self confidence in our graduates.

The most important part of graduate training is learning how to ask good research questions, design and carry out experiments to answer those questions, and write up the results of the experimental work in a clear and concise manner. For this reason, students begin their lab work as soon as they arrive. Shortly thereafter, each student selects a thesis research project with the adviser's assistance. Once the course work and exams are completed, students devote full time to their research projects and the preparation of papers describing their work.

A list of specific requirements for the Ph. D. taken from the department's Graduate Student Handbook.

The Master of Science Degree Program

Students who wish to terminate with the M.S. degree must satisfactorily complete at least one third of the courses recommended for the Ph.D. degree, present a thesis based on original research, and pass a final oral examination focused on that research project.

Graduate Study in Neurosciences

The graduate program in neurosciences at the University of Kansas is a degree-granting program. Students are admitted directly into the program. The program is coordinated by the Lawrence campus of the university — with strengths in the behavioral, biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical sciences — and the Medical Center campus in Kansas City — with strengths in all the biomedical and clinical sciences. Each student is asked to indicate the campus on which he or she would like to be considered for admission. Students in this program should expect to receive a Ph.D. degree in neurosciences. In exceptional circumstances, the program also offers an M.S. degree in neurosciences.

The program appeals to students who want to teach and/or do research in a university or do research in a pharmaceutical/ biotechnology company or government laboratory. Students who are interested in this field wish to work out individual programs spanning a great breadth from molecular and cellular neurobiology to organism-based neurophysiology, behavioral neurobiology, and cognitive neuroscience. Students take advantage of the many research and training opportunities available at two campuses of a major research university. Our students can look forward to personal development in an atmosphere that fosters strong collaborative activities as well as independent scholarship. If this type of program fits your professional training expectations, we invite you to join us.