PhD Curriculum and Requirements
PhD: First Year Curriculum
.jpg)
PHTX-MS Program
We are accepting applications for a 1 year Master's Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology; the inaugural program cohort will begin Fall 2025.
PHTX-PhD Program
The Pharmacology & Toxicology Department currently offers a Ph.D. program through the Graduate School of the University of Utah.
Our department does not directly admit PhD students. Students generally enter the PhD Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology through the Bioscience PhD Programs of Biological Chemistry or Molecular Biology or via the Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience. Students complete their first year in Bioscience or Neuroscience, and typically rotate in Pharmacology and Toxicology labs during their first year. At the end of the first year, they are able to join a PharmTox lab. Bioscience students will formally join the Pharmacology and Toxicology department; Neuroscience students will join a PharmTox lab, and will continue to be Neuroscience students/graduate with a Neuroscience PhD.
PHTX PhD Curriculum
Once PhD Students have formally entered the PHTX Program, usually on May 16 (at the end of their first year), they are considered 2nd year students, even though they are in their 1st year in the PHTX Program.
Pharmacology & Toxicology PhD Degree Program Core Requirements
-
Essentials of Pharmacology and Toxicology (PHTX 7113); 2 credits
-
Principles of Toxicology (PHTX 7114); 2 credits
-
Pharmacology 1 (PHTX 7211); 4 credit hours
Additional Pharmacology and Toxicology Course Requirements
Note: If a student entered through the MB or BC Program, they have likely already completed the requirements below. If not, student will be required to take these courses (or an equivalent).
-
Professional Skills: PHTX 7690
-
Research Ethics: MBIOL 7690
-
Statistical Methods: BIOL 6500, MDCRC 6000 (Introduction to Biostatistics), or MDCRC 6050 (Statistics for Basic Science)
In addition, the program requires one advanced elective course. Students should review options with their PI and GTC. Possible options include:
-
Cell Biology II: HGTEN 6481
-
Neuroanatomy: ANAT 7710/NEUSC 6060
-
Gene Expression: MBIOL 6440
-
Basic Immunology: PATH 7330
-
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience: NEUSC 6400
-
Structural Methods: BLCHM 6430
Additional Program Requirements
Please see the Program Requirements link below to learn more about the Teaching Requirement, and required seminars, including the Research Rotation Seminar (2nd Year), Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3rd Year), Dissertation Defense, the Department Research In Progress Seminar, and other College and Department Seminars.
PhD Students also meet with the PHTX Graduate Training Committee (GTC) twice a year, and once they have passed the Dissertation Proposal in their third year, they meet at least annually with their Committee.
