PhD Pharmacology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The basic course requirements for the Ph.D. degree include introductory and advanced courses in pharmacology and related programs in accord with the principal interest of the students in molecular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, or toxicology. In addition, in order to satisfy the requirements of the department and The Graduate School, the student must pass written and oral doctoral examinations, write a dissertation based on original research, and submit to a final oral examination. Under special circumstances the department will offer a program leading to the M.S. degree.

Faculty: School of Medicine | Department: Pharmacology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Core courses include PHCO 701 Introduction to Molecular Pharmacology; PHCO 702 Principles of Pharmacology and Physiology; BBSP 710 Biostatistics for Laboratory Scientists; PHCO 730 Seminar in Recent Advances in Pharmacology; PHCO 732 Grant Writing; PHCO 994 Doctoral Research and Dissertation.

Career pathways

These skills provide a sound basis for successful scientific careers in academia, government, or industry.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: For Question 2 of the application, applicants should scroll down to School of Medicine and select "Biological and Biomedical Sciences" from the dropdown list. GRE scores (must be less than five years old; UNC–Chapel Hill institution code is 5816) TOEFL score (must be less than two years old and is necessary only if the student is an international applicant who does not have an undergraduate degree from a United States university)

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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