Pharmaceutical Chemistry Graduate Programs

Pharmaceutical Chemistry is an interdisciplinary field that integrates diverse areas of science ranging from biological to chemical sciences. Students in the program will become familiar with aspects of physical, organic and analytical chemistry, chemical kinetics, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, and biotechnology including vaccines. To address these needs, the department offers a series of core courses designed to hone the student’s skills in these topical areas, which are considered essential in understanding problems at the molecular level.

Students entering the program are expected to complete the core courses during the first three semesters of graduate study. Students can choose from a variety of elective courses that allow them to gain knowledge and skills in areas specific to individual research project interests. The department places emphasis on excellence in research making every effort to ensure that students can maximize efforts on their research projects toward earning the targeted degree in a timely fashion.

Currently, the department has 14 faculty members, about 35 graduate students, and a similar number of postdoctoral fellows and research scientists. The department is recognized nationally and internationally, with most graduates and researchers going on to successful careers in the pharmaceutical industry, government positions and academia.

Refer to the website:(http://pharmchem.ku.edu/academics-overview) for further details.

Master’s Degree On-Site Programs

 Non-Thesis

The department does not recruit students to an on-site Ph.D. program. Students who are progressing towards the Ph.D. degree will receive a non-thesis M.S. upon successfully passing the Oral Comprehensive Examination.

Thesis

Students are primarily admitted to the department to pursue the Ph.D. degree; however, students who do not successfully complete the Oral Comprehensive Examination may be permitted to continue towards the Ph.D.; alternatively, the student may elect to terminate from the Ph.D.  program. In such cases the student may complete the oral courses and conduct sufficient research to enable the preparation and defense of an M.S. Thesis. The combination of coursework and research hours should total 30 credit hours.

Master’s Degree Distance Program

For external students seeking an advanced degree, the department offers the distance M.S. degree. The program features the same high-quality lectures and courses offered in the Ph.D. program. To be eligible for the distance M.S. program, the student must be employed in the private or government sectors, have access to laboratory facilities and the availability of an appropriately trained scientific advisor at the remote site. The combination of coursework and research hours should be 30 credit hours

Graduate Admission 

Students with a bachelor level degree or a master’s degree in chemistry, pharmacy, the biological sciences, material sciences, chemical engineering or related disciplines are encouraged to seek admission to our program. Graduate applications and all other requested application materials (transcripts, résumé, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted online. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for regular admission. Applications from non-English-speaking countries must include a copy of the Test of English as a Foreign Language score. Except under unusual circumstances, we review and accept candidates for admission into the fall semester only. All information must be delivered to us before we can begin to consider your application. Entering students are expected to be competent in basic principles of organic chemistry, physical chemistry and two semesters of calculus equivalent to KU MATH 121/122. 

All though the department does not have a formal application deadline, the faculty begins evaluations of applications around January 15 each year. To ensure full consideration, it is highly recommended that complete applications be in the department far in advance of January 15.

Any materials sent directly to the department should be directed to:

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Attn: Michelle Huslig
Simons Labs
2093 Constant Ave., Room 182
Lawrence, KS 66047
785-864-4822

Master’s Degree On-Site Programs

The Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry normally does not recruit students seeking the M.S. degree. However, after admission to the Ph.D. program, there are two completion options for the M.S. degree:

• Final Oral Examination
• Master's Thesis

Research Skill and Responsible Scholarship 

To satisfy this requirement, all M.S. students must take PHCH 801 (issues in scientific integrity at the first opportunity, offered each fall on odd calendar years) and one of the denoted electives.

Final Oral Exam Option M.S.

Students who are progressing towards the Ph.D. degree will receive the M.S. upon successfully passing the Final Oral Comprehensive Examination. These requirements are completed over the first four fall and spring semester in the program.

Thesis M.S.

Students are primarily admitted to the department to pursue the Ph.D. degree. However, any student may be counseled from continuing the Ph.D. program or elect to withdraw from the Ph.D. program. In such cases the student may choose to complete an M.S. degree instead by completing a prescribed subset of the coursework requirements for the Ph.D. degree , and successfully complete and defend a master's thesis representing at least 10 credit hours of research. 

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Acquire & Demonstrate Foundation Knowledge.
• Demonstrate Background Knowledge.
• Demonstrate Writing Skills.
• Demonstrate Oral Communication Skills.
• Execute Data Analysis Skills.
• Exhibit Critical Thinking.