Master of Science/Doctor of Philosophy
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida A&M University offers comprehensive programs of course work and research leading to the Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Specializations are offered in pharmacology/toxicology, medicinal chemistry, environmental toxicology (Ph.D. degree only) pharmaceutics, and health outcomes research and pharmacoeconomics. Each program of study is under the direction of a supervisory committee which oversees development of each student’s curriculum and general progress and monitors adherence to general degree requirements. Graduates of these programs will find a wide spectrum of employment opportunities in academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry, and government.
Minimum Requirements for Graduate Admission
For M.S. Programs
3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours
3 Applicants must submit a GRE (verbal and quantitative) score.
Foreign students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score prior to admission.
For Ph.D. Programs
300 combined GRE score and 3.0 GPA or a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and three (3) letters of recommendation. International students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score prior to application submission.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree (M.S.)
Completion of at least thirty (30) semester hours of graduate level course work and research including:
- a minimum of four semester hours of Research Seminar (PHA 6938)
- a minimum of six semester hours of Research and Thesis (PHA6975)
- A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained
- Participation in the instructional component of selected undergraduate laboratories as assigned
- One presentation at a national scientific meeting
- Presentation of one research article in a refereed scientific journal
- Satisfactory performance on final comprehensive written examinations
- Presentation and defense of an acceptable thesis based on original research.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.)
Completion of at least ninety (90) semester hours of graduate level course work and research including:
- a minimum of nine (9) hours of Research Seminar (PHA 6938)
- a minimum of twelve (12) hours of Dissertation Research (PHA 7980)
A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained
- Participation in the instructional component of selected undergraduate courses including lectures and/or laboratories as assigned
- Submission and successful defense of the research protocol
- Successful completion of oral and written comprehensive examination
- Presentation of at least two manuscripts for publication in refereed scientific journals
- Submission of an acceptable dissertation based on scholarly and independent research
- Presentation and defense of an acceptable dissertation based on original laboratory research
- Two presentations at national scientific meetings
Seminar Policy
All graduate students, including those who have satisfied the minimum seminar requirement for either degree program, are expected to enroll and participate in Research Seminar every semester, except the semester in which the thesis or dissertation is defended.
Graduation Policy
Students must be registered at Florida A&M University in the semester in which they are awarded a degree (M.S. or Ph.D.).
The following graduate level courses are offered in the College of Pharmacy for fulfillment of the requirements of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Additional graduate offerings may be obtained from the approved list of courses at nearby Florida State University (FSU) with the written permission of the supervisory committee.
Financial Aid
Support ranging from $8,500 to $16,200 per year may be available in the form of research or teaching assistantships and fellowships to qualified students. Work-study funds and tuition waivers may also be available on a limited basis
Electives
Electives may be chosen from, but are not limited to all currently offered graduate courses in the College of Pharmacy:
- CHM 4230 Qualitative Org Anal
- CHM 4610 Adv Inorganic Chem
- CHM 5240 Physical Organic Chemistry *
- CHM 5506 Macromolecules I *
- CHM 5507 Macromolecules II *
- CHM 5150L Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry *
- BCH 5425 Molecular Biology *
- PCB 5026 Cellular and Molecular Biology *
- CHM 5151 Optical Methods of Chemical Analysis *
- BCH 5745 Chemical and Physical Characterization of Biopolymers *
Note:
* Offered only by Florida State University
** Required only of non-pharmacy graduates. Students are required to concurrently register for Human Structure/ Function, Pathophysiology (PHA 3580 , PHA 3581 ) if they have not previously completed this or an equivalent course in human medical physiology. These physiology courses are not available for graduate credit.
- Graduate Medicinal Chemistry I and II (PHA 6433 and PHA 6434 ) are required of all non-pharmacy graduates.
* The following courses or their equivalent should be on the student’s transcript or must be made up during the first year of graduate study:
Two semesters of calculus (MAC 2311 and MAC 2312 ) or equivalent. Two semesters of physical chemistry (CHM 4410 and CHM 4411 ) or equivalent.
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