PhD Curriculum
Curriculum for Ph.D. candidates
The curriculum for Ph.D. candidates is designed to provide a broad-based foundation in pharmacology, as well as flexible opportunities to individually tailor a program that meets the individual student’s background and research interests. Students are expected to consult with their advisors to plan a sequence of coursework that best suits their needs. While doctoral students complete 64 credits of classwork and research, as well as a dissertation, specific departmental requirements are limited to regular attendance at departmental seminars and a minimum of 26 credits of formal coursework. Of the 26 credits, 10 credits must be advanced (800-level) courses in Pharmacology; Current Topics can be taken twice to satisfy this requirement. Under special circumstances with the permission of the student’s advisor and the Graduate Education Committee, courses given in other departments of Boston University, or in other institutions, may be substituted for the 800-level Pharmacology courses.
Most students will choose basic courses in biochemistry, neurosciences, biostatistics, physiology, and pharmacology (first courses). These courses provide both the background study in the underlying basic sciences and a first overview course in the discipline of pharmacology. This subject matter is generally a prerequisite to more in-depth study in 800-level courses and will be the basis for one component of the written qualifying examination.
Qualifying Examination: The qualifying examination for Ph.D. candidates consists of a written and oral examination. Students are expected to take the qualifying exam no later than the end of the second curricular year. Examinations are administered by a committee of five faculty from Boston University, including the major advisor and a chairman who must have a primary appointment in Pharmacology. The major advisor, in consultation with the candidate, makes recommendations to the department chairman as to the composition of the examining committee. At least three faculty must be from within the department. The chairman of the committee notifies the student and committee members in writing as to the dates of the written and oral examinations. Preparation for the examination should be made in close consultation with the faculty on the committee. The written portion of the qualifying examination tests a student’s understanding of the fundamental principles of pharmacology and covers subject matter presented in the recommended curriculum for Ph.D. students. The written examination does not include questions on the specific area of the candidate’s research specialization, but is comprehensive and may cover any and all phases of subjects covered in the student’s curriculum. Usually, each examiner offers two questions from which the student must choose one to answer. The written exam should not take longer than four hours.
Dissertation Research: Each Ph.D. candidate chooses a Boston University faculty member as advisor for the dissertation research project, preferably before the second curricular year. This project is expected to result in original independent research of significance to the pharmacological sciences and to meet publication standards of peer-reviewed journals in the candidate’s area of specialization.
In addition to their advisors, students are guided in their research training by a committee of faculty, the Dissertation Advisory Committee. The student and advisor designate the members of this Committee with the approval of the department chairman. The Dissertation Advisory Committee must include at least five members and not more than six. At least three members must have primary appointments at Boston University. The advisor is always a member of the Committee. The Committee must include a minimum of two faculty with primary appointments in the Department of Pharmacology, at least one of whom is not a collaborator on the project. A third member must be either a member of the Department or a member of the student’s interdepartmental training program. The committee must also include one member who does not have an appointment in the department, is not a participating faculty member in a departmental training program, and preferably is from outside Boston University and its affiliated hospitals. This outside member should not be a collaborator on the dissertation project. (The form entitled “Request for a Special Service Appointment in the Division” with accompanying CV must be submitted to the Division Office for committee members who are not faculty in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.). The First Reader of the dissertation is usually the advisor; the Second Reader and Dissertation Advisory Committee Chairman, who are chosen from among the committee members, should be designated when the committee is formed. The Chair of the Committee must be a primary member of the Department and may not be the first or second reader.
The first meeting of the Committee takes place as soon as possible after the qualifying examination is passed, but no later than the end of the subsequent semester. The Committee meets each semester thereafter. The student prepares a 1-2 page outline of progress for each meeting.
Dissertation Seminar and Progress Report: Each Ph.D. candidate presents a progress report on the dissertation project at a departmental seminar, which is followed by a meeting of the dissertation advisory committee. The timing of this seminar is decided by the student and advisor. However, the progress report seminar must occur no later than the end of the spring semester of the fourth year (8th semester) of graduate study for Ph.D. candidates and third year (6th semester) for M.D./Ph.D. candidates. The seminar also must occur at least one year before the dissertation pre-defense. The student prepares a progress report, not to exceed ten pages (double-spaced), and distributes it to committee members one week before the seminar. The written progress report should include:
- Statement of the problem and its significance. The hypothesis being tested should be stated.
- Literature review and background. Critical review of
- Studies completed by the student.
- Proposal for future work and discussion of expected outcome of experiments, potential problems and alternative plans.
Requirements of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences Students are urged to become aware of Division requirements and deadlines regarding the dissertation, submission of the dissertation proposal/outline, abstract, final oral examination schedule and diploma application. The following items should be obtained from the Division Office:
- Research Guide for the Writers of Theses and Dissertations
- Dissertation Outline Approval Page
- Graduation Calendar
- Ph.D. Dissertation Abstract Approval (due 1 month prior to defense)
- Final Oral Examination Schedule for the Ph.D. (due 2 weeks prior to defense)
- Diploma Application for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Due Date: November 1 for January graduation, February 1 for May graduation)
- Request for a Special Service Appointment in the Division (due at time of Abstract Approval)
Defense A draft of the dissertation, approved by the advisor, should be submitted to the second reader. After revision, the dissertation should be submitted to all committee members. A committee meeting with the student will be held no sooner than two weeks after distribution of the dissertation. If a committee member is unable to attend, oral or written communication to the advisor can be substituted. A minimum of three committee members must be in attendance. At this meeting the student will defend the dissertation project and receive input regarding revisions to the dissertation. Additional meetings may be scheduled, if necessary.
With the approval of the committee, the Ph.D. candidate will arrange the date for the formal dissertation defense. The availability of each committee member should be verified and then the Division notified by submission of appropriate forms to the Division Office two weeks prior to the defense. The administrative assistant of the Pharmacology Department should be notified so that a notice of the oral defense can be prepared and distributed and the conference room reserved.
Immediately prior to the formal defense, the dissertation committee will have a brief closed meeting. The dissertation defense will begin with a 40-minute presentation by the candidate. After the presentation, each member of the dissertation committee will be accorded an opportunity by the chair to ask questions and raise issues. Students and faculty in attendance also will be given an opportunity to ask questions. The committee will continue the examination in closed session. At this time the committee must specifically approve the content and wording of the title and abstract. Once all committee members have completed their inquiries, the candidate will be excused from the room, and the committee will decide whether the student has passed the examination. (The total time of the examination, including the student presentation but not the deliberations of the Committee, should not exceed three hours). The committee then will determine a mechanism to ensure that required changes in the dissertation are completed; a decision will be made regarding the signing of the approval pages which may occur at this time. The student will then be informed of the outcome of the committee discussion. The student will be responsible for making required revisions in the dissertation. In addition to the copies of the dissertation required by the Division, final copies should be delivered to committee members and to the Department of Pharmacology.
