PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Leaders in the Science of Drug Delivery to the Body
4.8
Years
to Defense
99%
Graduates Had
at Least One Publication
Accepted or Published
66%
Graduates
Went on to a
Career in Business/Industry
27%
Graduates
Went on to a
Post-doc/Fellowship
2
Patents
Issued
in FY24
Pioneering Better Therapeutic and Drug Development and Delivery
We are in constant pursuit of designing and developing how to safely deliver therapies and drug products inside the body to achieve their optimal effect. A dynamic and interdisciplinary program designed to synthesize the disciplines of chemistry, engineering, biochemistry and biology for optimal drug delivery and to improve therapy efficacy against human disease.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is housed within the College of Pharmacy and offers the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD degree through the Rackham Graduate School..
A Snapshot of the PhD Student Experience
In the Classroom
Take a series of core courses and choose from electives to help determine your sub-specialization.
At the Bench
Learn how to be an effective researcher, write to be published and how to present your science to anyone.
Vibrant Student Community
Join a cohort of students as you transition from student to researcher who share the same vision, to challenge the unknown.
Find a Faculty Mentor
Complete research rotations to identify your research mentor and your pharmaceutical science sub-specialty.
Celebrate Milestones
Celebrate your successes from advancing to candidacy, to being published and your final dissertation.
Why Choose Our Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program?
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You want to be educated in a place that ranks #1 in the BIG Conference and #4 Nationally for Pharmacy Research Funding.
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You want to further your understanding of drug dosing and delivery in the body to improve diseases in humans.
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You want to be recruited by major pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government agencies, and academic institutions.
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You want to be mentored, educated and conduct your research with internationally recognized faculty.
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You don’t want to worry about how to pay for your PhD. Accepted students receive an annual stipend, benefits, fees, and tuition paid for.
A Program Designed For You To Specialize
Chemical and Physical Integrity of Drugs and Dosage Forms
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Drugs
Mechanisms of How Drugs Cross Membranes and Barriers; and Controlled Release of Drugs
Quantitative Relationships Between Chemical and Physical Behaviors of Drugs and Their Chemical Structures
Nanotechnology and Materials-Drug Biointerfaces
Pulmonary Delivery
Antibody Engineering and Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Delivery of Biologics and Immunologic Approaches
Regulatory Science
Making Breakthroughs
One Researcher at a Time.
Our faculty study pharmaceutics, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry and chemical engineering to further our understanding of key drug design, dosing, delivery and targeting.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Curriculum at a Glance
Get a comprehensive education in the field, emphasizing drug development, delivery and analysis, preparing you for a career in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government agencies and academia.
First Year
Graduate Advising
Core Coursework and Electives
Research Rotations
Selection of PhD Advisor
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminars
Second Year
Pre-Candidacy Research
Core Coursework
Electives
Candidacy Exam
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminars
Third Year
PhD Research
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminars
Fourth Year
PhD Research
Dissertation and Defense
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminars
Graduation
Ready to Apply?
Learn about admission requirements and view next steps toward earning a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan.
