Curriculum

The Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program has well-defined requirements that are designed to provide a solid foundation in the principles of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacogenomics through a series of required coursework, seminars, retreats, and research training. Remaining elective units are chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor. We expect the duration of the training to be about five years.

Year one

In the first year, students take the PSPG core three-course series, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG 245 A, B, and C). In addition, students take two courses per quarter and carry out research rotations in three different laboratories. Students participate in a weekly student-faculty research seminar (PSPG 225) during fall and winter quarters of their first year. The seminar gives them an opportunity to meet PSPG faculty members and to hear about their research. First-year students also participate and present in both the Student Seminar Series (PSPG 220) and the QBC Journal Club (CHEM 297).

At least 13 units of elective courses are required, including two from a list of core electives. Based on their research interests, students also take additional electives, which can be chosen from any graduate-level course offered on campus. Course information can be found in the Course Catalog. In addition, students are eligible for intercampus exchange with the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University.

During spring quarter, most UCSF graduate programs offer three-week mini courses, which can be used to satisfy elective requirements. Mini courses provide an intensive and focused educational experience with very close faculty interaction (8-12 students per mini course). PSPG students are encouraged to take at least one course in an area outside of our program to increase opportunities for breadth, biological perspective, and scientific networking.

A grant writing presentation is given during the PSPG boot camp prior to the start of fall quarter. As part of this presentation, all eligible students are expected to submit a fellowship proposal to the National Science Foundation.

At the end of their first year, students choose their thesis laboratory.

Year two and beyond

In their second year, students are required to fulfill a one-quarter teaching assistantship. Students also take Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research (BMS 214) in spring quarter. The oral qualifying examination is taken sometime between the spring quarter of the second year and the end of fall quarter of the third year.

Students must form their thesis committee and file an application for Advancement to Candidacy within six months of passing their oral qualifying examination. The remainder of their time in the program is spent working on their research. Upon completion of their thesis, the last requirement for graduation is an exit seminar.