Graduate Programs

The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 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 (PhD only), pharmaceutics, pharmacoeconomics (MS only). Each program of study is under the direction of a supervisory committee which oversees the development of each student's curriculum, progress, and adherence to degree requirements.

Graduate students in the College of Pharmacy are enrolled in one of the three areas within the College - Basic Sciences, Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy, and the Institute of Public Health. Qualified students may earn the degrees of Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH).

Note: For additional graduate admission information requirements, please visit the FAMU School of Graduate Studies Website.

Graduate Forms:

• Admission Application (FAMU Students)
• Admission Application (Non-FAMU Students)
• Evaluation Form Graduate 2010

Please note your graduation application is incomplete without the Evaluation Graduate Form 2009.

Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences

Areas of Concentration

Medicinal Chemistry- and natural products offer students the opportunity to engage in health oriented scientific studies. The chemically oriented students are afforded an opportunity to study and gain expertise in the design and preparation of new drug molecules; modification of existing drug molecules; development of methodologies for molecules; development of methodologies for prediction of drug action; computer-assisted molecular modeling; evaluation of the mechanisms and routes of drug metabolism; and isolation of pharmacologically active natural products. These students will be trained in both biological and chemical specialties.

Pharmacology/Toxicology - comprises the study of the interaction of drugs with various biological/physiological systems. Scientist in this area investigates mechanisms by which drugs produce therapeutic actions and their side reactions. Such studies often lead to improved use of existing drugs, improved approaches to control of side effects, discovery of new mechanisms or new biochemical pathologies of disease. Toxicology is a subdivision of pharmacology which focuses on the various toxic effects of drugs, household, industrial and environmental chemicals and various physiological systems of the body.

Pharmaceutics- is the component of pharmaceutical sciences that deals with design, fabrication, and evaluation of drug delivery systems. The objective of research in pharmaceutics is the optimization of drug activity through ensuring maximum therapeutic effect, safety, and convenience to the patient.

Environmental Toxicology - the student who pursues a career in environmental toxicology will become trained in assessment and analysis of environmental hazards, both natural and man-made. Students will acquire expertise in analytical methodology, risk assessment and toxicological testing techniques.

MS and PhD Admissions Requirements

MS Programs - 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours; or 1,000 combined score on the GRE (verbal and quantitative). Foreign students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score prior to admission.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree (MS)

• 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 (PHA 6975)
• 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

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PhD Programs - 1,000 combined GRE score and 3.0 GPA; or a total of 6.0 on the sliding scale:
GRE Score x 3/1000 = GRE Factor
GRE Factor + GPA ≥ 6.0 or a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and three letters of recommendation.
Foreign students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score to application submission.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)

• 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 original laboratory research
• Two presentations at national scientific meetings