These guidelines apply to students pursuing the doctor of philosophy degree in the School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program. The guidelines conform to and supplement the University of Pittsburgh requirements "Regulations Governing Graduate Study at the University of Pittsburgh" adopted by the University Council on Graduate Study (UCGS). The guidelines were developed to identify the requirements specific to the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program. These guidelines are subject to change.

Selection of the Interim Advisor
Formal Coursework
Selection of the Major Advisor
Preliminary Evaluation
Monitoring the Student’s Progress
Doctoral Committee
Comprehensive Examination
Approval of the Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy
Dissertation
Final Oral Examination and Dissertation Defense

PhD Program – Time-Line of Events

PhD Program Milestones: Expected Time-Line of Major Events

Comprehensive Examination Guidelines

General Guidelines
Guidelines for Proposal Preparation and Submission
Guidelines for the Examination

Oral Comprehensive Examination

Detailed Guidelines for Proposal Preparation
Research Plan

• Specific Aims
• Background and Significance
• Preliminary Studies/Progress Report
• Research Design and Methods
• Human Subjects Research
• Vertebrate Animals
• Literature Cited

Schedule of the Common Core Courses

First Year of Graduate Study for Student Beginning Studies in Fall Term of an Odd Year (03, 05)
Second Year of Graduate Study for Student Beginning Studies in Fall Term of an Odd Year (03, 05)
First Year of Graduate Study for Student Beginning Studies in Fall Term of an Even Year (04, 06)
Second Year of Graduate Study for Student Beginning Studies in Fall Term of an Even Year (04, 06)

Policy Regarding External Educational Experiences

Participation in External Educational Experiences While Enrolled in the PhD Program (HTML) (PDF)