Pharmacology Program Requirements

PHARM 780 – Seminar – 4 Semesters
PHARM 533 – Essentials of Pharmacology/Toxicology
PHARM 835 – Innovations in Drug Development
PHARM 733 – Experimental Design and Biostatistics for Basic Biomedical Scientists (Note that this required course does not have to be taken before the preliminary exam).

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) students joining the PHARM program are expected to complete the following courses prior to their Prelim exam:
PHARM 780 – Seminar – 2 Semesters
PHARM 835 – Innovations in Drug Development
PHARM 733 – Experimental Design and Biostatistics for Basic Biomedical Scientists (Note that this required course does not have to be taken before the preliminary exam).

Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (DSCB) and other non-degree granting programs students joining the PHARM program are expected to complete the following courses prior to their Prelim exam:
PHARM 780 – Seminar – 2 Semesters
PHARM 533 – Essentials of Pharmacology/Toxicology
PHARM 835 – Innovations in Drug Development
PHARM 733 – Experimental Design and Biostatistics for Basic Biomedical Scientists (Note that this required course does not have to be taken before the preliminary exam).

** For a full list of departmental courses, please refer to the Office of Biomedical Graduate Education

Requirements and details can be found at the RCR Course Page.

Students complete 3 rotations with different faculty members to select an advisor. These rotations serve to:

1. Identify potential mentors
2. Offer exposure to research experience outside the student’s intended area of study
3. Provide initial faculty evaluation of students’ research competence

Once the rotations are completed, students select an advisor with whom they will work on a thesis project. Thesis research is guided by the advisor and Thesis Committee.

The preliminary exam is usually taken in May to August of the second year, but must be successfully completed by the end of the third year. Successful completion of this exam is required to formally accept a student as a candidate for a Ph.D. degree. For information on the preliminary exam format and timetable, please review the Preliminary Examination Guidelines found under the “Student Resources” tab.

Within six (6) months of completing the prelim exam, students must form their Thesis Committee.
 

• Dissertation Committee Chair: The chair of the thesis committee must be a primary faculty member in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (PCB) and may not be the student’s dissertation advisor.
• Dissertation Committee Composition: You should have at least four (five preferred) graduate faculty members on your thesis committee. A committee must have a majority of members from the student’s major research area. At least two members of the committee, including the chair, must have primary or secondary faculty appointments in the department or program in which the degree is sought. Search the Duke Graduate Faculty list.

The Advisor in conjunction with the Dissertation Committee will determine when the student is ready to write their dissertation. The declaration of intention presents the title of the dissertation or specifies alternative academic exercises on which the degree candidate will be examined. The declaration must have the approval of both the Director of Graduate Studies in the major department and the student’s advisory committee. 

Review the Optimal Graduation Process Flow Chart* for step by step guidance.

For other important topics to consider regarding your dissertation, please refer to:

• Overview of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
• Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (EDT) availability

More information on dissertation submission requirements and deadlines can be found on the Duke University Graduate School website.

*Prepared by OBGE

Minimum of one first author publication in a peer reviewed journal.  This should be completed at least one year prior to the defense.