Pharmacology is the study of the physical and chemical properties and mechanism of action of the biochemical substances (pharmacological agents) that regulate life processes. Pharmacological agents may be drugs or natural regulatory substances including peptides, chemicals and gene products and transcription factors. The Molecular Pharmacology program is highly integrative and includes research specialization in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular and subcellular biology, neurobiology, electrophysiology, cardiovascular biology, physiology, genetics, genomics and proteomics, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, biophysics and structural biology. Research projects typically employ approaches at the subcellular, cellular, organ and whole animal levels. The program is academically rigorous and students with a high level of achievement in biology, chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, physics, engineering or pharmacy are encouraged to apply.<br><br>The Ph.D. program typically requires 4-5 years of study (no MS necessary). Students primarily take didactic courses and rotate in research lab the first year (3 rotations required). Students participate in departmental and college seminars, journal clubs and begin their dissertation research work the second year, after qualification. A variety of funded laboratory environments are available with access to multiple training grants.