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    Nov 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide 
    
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

Pharmaceutical Sciences, PhD

Location(s): Health Science Campus


The PhD is awarded for an original investigation leading to the significant advancement of knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical and/or biomedical sciences. Didactic courses and seminars will provide students with the required theoretical knowledge, basic principles, and methods in the field. Under the guidance of the departmental graduate committee, students will complete those courses that best serve their particular needs. During their training, they are expected to demonstrate, by appropriate examination, a breadth of knowledge, particularly in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, and how chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and physiology can help them build this knowledge. Students are also expected to develop competency to evaluate and communicate scientific research via oral presentation and in writing.

Admission Requirements


Admission into the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program is not direct admission.

To be eligible for graduate study, you must:

  • Provide a complete set of your official undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts showing one of the following:
    • have earned a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university that includes 12 or more credits in higher level chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, genetics and/or related area. 
    • be within one academic year of earning a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university with 12 or more credits in higher level chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, genetics and/or related area. 
    • be eligible to apply as part of a memorandum of understanding between your current institution and Binghamton University and have completed 12 or more credits in higher level chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, genetics and/or related area.

Have earned, at minimum, one of the following:

  • a 3.0 GPA over your entire undergraduate career
  • a 3.0 GPA during your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of your undergraduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as “pass/fail”)
  • a 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as “pass/fail”)
    • In consideration of the different grading scales used around the world, each academic department evaluates international transcripts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether they demonstrate one of the above requirements.
  • Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
  • Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended.
  • 500-word personal statement that specifically addresses your research interests and professional goals with a mention of possible current Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD faculty member(s) whose current research may best coincide with your background and interests
  • Curriculum vitae 
  • Two letters of recommendation for graduate study

International students must also submit the following materials:  

  • International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
  • supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.)
  • proof of English proficiency:
    • TOEFL (≥ 100)  
    • IELTS (≥6.5)  
    • PTE (≥53)
    • Academic/Duolingo (≥105)

For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Admission Requirements website

Program Requirements


Course Requirements


Term 3: Fall 2 (9 credits total)


Term 7: Fall 4** (1 credit total)


Term 8: Spring 4** (1 credit total)


Term 9: Fall 5** (1 credit total)


Term 10: Spring 5** (1 credit total)


Notes:


* Elective courses taken outside of the department must be approved by your advisor before taking.

** With “Full-time working toward degree status.”

Comprehensive Exam


Following the satisfactory completion of the course work, students are required to complete a written comprehensive exam in the form of a grant proposal (K01 or F32 type) followed by an oral presentation of the proposal. Failure to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or failure of the comprehensive exam with a maximum of two attempts will result in dismissal from the PhD program.

Research and Dissertation


Since the PhD in pharmaceutical sciences is earned based on original investigative research work, students will begin working on their research project early in their training after they have completed the three laboratory rotations and have been placed in a given laboratory. With the help of his/her advisor, each student will establish a dissertation committee composed of a minimum of four members, a chair, and three other faculty (two from the department and one external). The committee will review each student’s progress every year.

Additional Information About the Program


Funding

Students enrolled in the PhD program may receive tuition and stipend support through a combination of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Graduate Assistantships (GA) and/or Research Project Assistantships (RPA) awards. Support is generally provided for up to five years and extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. GA and/or RPA positions will come from faculty and departmental research grants.

Residency Requirement

Domestic students who are not NYS residents will qualify to be fully funded at the out-of-state tuition rate for their first two semesters of study only and must either become NYS residents or they will be held responsible for difference between the in-state versus out-of-state tuition rates. Out-of-state students entering the program are expected to establish NYS residency after the first two semesters. 

For more information on policies, grading, and other program procedures please referrer to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences MS & PhD Handbook.

For more information on the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program, please refer to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences website. To apply to the Pharmaceutical Sciences MS program, please visit the University Admissions website.