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Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Admissions and Degree Requirements

Students from the UMass Lowell's MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or another relevant UMass Lowell science or engineering MS) program with a cumulative GPA of a 3.500 or greater may apply to the Ph.D. program and, if accepted proceed with advanced standing in the PhD program and will be eligible to take the qualifying exam, which must be successfully completed within one year of acceptance. Priority admission will be given to students who have earned their MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or another relevant program) at UMass Lowell.

External applicants to the PhD program will be accepted if they have a MS degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a cumulative GPS of 3.5 or greater from another college or university, but may be required to take any additional core curriculum courses they have not previously taken. Upon completion of the core curriculum these students will be required to attempt the qualifying exam within 6 months and must successfully complete the qualifying exam within one year.

Students in the Ph.D. program are also required to take a minimum of 12 more credits of Advanced Elective courses. Other advanced Elective options may be added to this list or be approved by the Graduate Coordinator and the student's Research Advisor. 

The Program Coordinator and advisors in the Ph.D. program will guide graduate students through a full-time program of study. Full-time study is equivalent to 9 credit hours per semester.

Advanced Elective List for Ph.D. Students

Course NumberCourse NameCredits Hours
BIOL.5210LGenomics Laboratory2
BIOL.5290Recombinant Protein Production Technology4
BIOL.5320Genomics3
BIOL.5340Genomics Laboratory1
BIOL.5670Molecular Biology3
BIOL.5690LMolecular Techniques4
BIOL.5890Practical Protein Crystallography4
CHEM.5380Biochemical Mechanisms3
CHEM.5510BioChemisty II3
CHEM.5660Advanced Physical Biochemistry3
CHEM.5660Nanomaterials and Nanostructures3
CHEM.5680Structural Analysis3
CHEM.5700Advanced Protein Chemistry3
CHEM.6320Principles of Medicinal Chemistry II3
MLSC.5800Clinical Applications of Molecular Genetics3
NUTR.5720Nutrigenomics3
RADI.5410Radiochemistry3
RADI.5620Radiation Biology3
RADI.5980Introduction to Medical Imaging3
PHRM.7080Mechanisms of Drug Action3
SubTotal # Advanced Elective Credits Required12 - 13

Dissertation and Research Courses

(total courses required = 4)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHRM.7550Graduate Research12 - 27 credit hours
(4-0 per semester)
PHRM.7590Doctoral Dissertation4 - 9 credit Hours
SubTotal Dissertation & Research Credits RequiredMinimum 26