Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Our graduate program is among the largest and strongest in this country. Although relatively young, our department has achieved national recognition in graduate education and research. Many of our graduates have prominent positions in academia, government, and industry.
The predoctoral training program leading to the awarding of the Ph.D. degree requires approximately four years. The program is research-intensive with a focus on training in the scientific method, striving to minimize the number of required courses in medical biology and pharmacology/toxicology.
Interdepartmental Research
Many of the graduate students participating in laboratory research are in other programs on campus. If you are a student in another MSU graduate program who interested in pursuing research related to pharmacology and/or toxicology, you are encouraged to directly contact those Department faculty who are currently conducting research in your area of interest.
Undergraduate Research
There are opportunities for undergraduate research in the laboratories of department faculty throughout the year. The role of a student in a research project depends on many factors including the nature of the project and the time commitment which that student can make. However, students may progress to a point of experimental design, data collection and interpretation sufficient to become an author on a publication in which the student’s work is included. Students may be involved in research projects as unpaid volunteers or as paid laboratory aides. Also, following the academic calendar, students can undertake research for credit (through PHM 480).
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
Students may be involved in research projects as unpaid volunteers or as paid laboratory aides. Also, following the academic calendar, students can undertake research for credit (through PHM 480).
Finally, there are extended opportunities for research over the summer: students may apply to be a part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program in which the students are involved full time with a research project for 10-12 weeks. In 2006, 5 students involved in undergraduate research in our department received prestigious research fellowships from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and from The American Physiological Society. Any student interested in any one of these opportunities should contact individual faculty who have research programs which encompass the student’s own interests.
Any student interested in any one of these opportunities should contact individual faculty who have research programs which encompass the student’s own interests.