Program of Study
Degrees offered
The Graduate group offers programs of study leading to MS (thesis-Plan I; coursework-Plan II) and Ph.D. degrees.
The plan I MS degree (thesis) requires 30 quarter units of coursework including 13 units of required core in Pharmacology and Toxicology, satisfactory performance on both written and oral qualifying examinations, and submission of an acceptable thesis from work conducted under the direction of one of the PTX faculty members. The MS plan II (non-thesis) requires 36 units of coursework and a passing grade on a written qualifying examination. The MS degree programs normally take 2 years to complete.
The PhD requires 36 units of coursework, passing performance on both written and oral exams and submission of an original body of scientific work (dissertation) conducted under the guidance of a PTX faculty member. The normative time for a Ph.D. is 4-5 years.
The Core Course Curriculum
The Core Course series is comprised of 13 units of intensive coursework designed to provide a strong background in the principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The courses were designed for and are taught for graduate students and are intended to develop integration and problem solving skills.
PTX 201 – Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (5 units) – This is an introductory overview of basic concepts in pharmacology/toxicology followed by in-depth blocks on fate processes of chemicals in the body, fate processes associated with tissue selective responses, and selective toxicity employed therapeutically.
PTX 202 – Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (4 units) – This course covers the principles of pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of drug/toxicant action. Intracellular signaling, ion channels and membrane transport are discussed.
PTX 203 – Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (4 units) Integrated physiological systems, cardiovascular and nervous systems and how drugs and toxicants act to perturb function are covered in PTX 203.
In addition, there are four required seminars that you will attend that focus on:
- Meeting the Pharmacology & Toxicology Faculty
- Careers in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Grant Writing
- Qualifying Examination Preparation
PTX – 299 – Research (Lab Rotations) – During the first two quarters students will complete four rotations in labs of faculty. These two quarters provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the faculty and discover an area of interest. During this time students are expected to identify and negotiate with a faculty member in the Group who will be willing to serve as their major professor and who will be committed to providing financial support for the remainder of your graduate career at UC Davis.
The Department of Environmental Toxicology offers multiple courses that fulfills the advanced PTX requirement.
Required courses selected from Statistics, Molecular, Physiological and/or Morphological sciences, and advanced graduate courses in Pharmacology and/or Toxicology (except courses numbered 298 and 299) are normally completed in the first 2 years of study.
TA Requirement – Ph.D. students are required to TA one course during their graduate work.
The time to degree for the Pharmacology and Toxicology Ph.D. Graduate Program is approximately 5 years. A timeline is given below.
