Doctor of Pharmacy / Doctor of Philosophy Pathway
Department of Medicinal Chemistry

The Department of Medicinal Chemistry together with the Dean's Office have developed a pathway for students who are interested in simultaneously pursuing a Pharm.D and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry. This program is intended for students who are interested in a career in basic or clinical research for the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical therapies. It is constructed to intersperse the core curriculum requirements of the Ph.D. program into the curriculum of the Pharm.D. program, making course substitutions where feasible. In doing this, we minimize curriculum redundancy between the two programs while ensuring that the student is adequately prepared for the demands of both degree programs.

During the joint program pathway, students undertake research in the summers between their P1-P3 years. Students are also expected to use at least one clerkship rotation for research. The program is structured so that students can take their Ph.D. qualification exams during their P5 year and their pharmacy licensure exam at the normal time after completion of the P4 year. Following P4 year, the students engage in full time research to complete the Ph.D. program.

Students who are interested in pursuing this pathway should apply to the Pharm.D. program first. Students are accepted into the Ph.D. program during their P1 year if the student meets the program admissions criteria and there is appropriate research mentoring and support for the student. Interested students should contact the Director of Graduate Admissions in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry for application procedures and information.

Students enter directly into the Pharm.D./PhD program. Curriculum based on application to the Med Chem program during the P1 year. First class would be summer rotations.