The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences prepares graduates for leadership roles in the evolving needs of pharmaceutical and biomedical education, research, and industry. Graduates of the program are trained to respond to rapidly changing needs in a variety of fields associated with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academic and government institutions. Students learn fundamental skills in basic and applied research in toxicology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and industrial pharmacy in a student-centric curriculum within an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.<br>All students participate in a core curriculum, with an individual specialized course of study within their concentration. Each student will complete original laboratory scientific research as part of a doctoral dissertation (thesis).<br><br>Within the Department, there are more than 30 independent research groups led by faculty with a diverse range of expertise and research interests, including pharmaceutical dosage design, drug discovery, synthesis and production, pre-clinical testing, environmental toxicology, toxic risk assessment, structural and biochemical toxicology, nanotechnology, pharmacogenomics, gene therapy, molecular modeling, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. Some therapeutic areas of interest include cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, and pulmonary disease. Students are trained in an inter-disciplinary environment that provides depth and breadth of knowledge with the opportunity for collaborative research with individuals with expertise in other fields.