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Thesis
A written thesis, describing work accomplished, is required to be completed by all master's students by the end of the second year. The thesis is presented to the University community in an open meeting at the conclusion of the training period. A written document must be approved by the student's advisor, the Program Director and the Director of the Library of Rush University Medical Center.
PhD Program Progression/Dissertation
Research Overview
During the first and second years the student selects a research project in conjunction with a faculty mentor. The student and mentor then select a committee of faculty to guide the student's research activities. This committee approves the proposed research project and determines when the student has completed his/her dissertation. The research project is designed to advance knowledge in a specific discipline and to yield "first author" scientific publications for the student. Research internships at pharmaceutical companies may also be available to the students and are designed to enhance the research activities of the student.
Academic Advisor/Principal Advisor
The graduate division director functions as the academic advisor to the student during the first year. The director, during this time, determines the course schedule with the student and monitors the student's progress. Beginning in the first year, the student is expected to gain laboratory experience. This activity is intended to lead to the definition of research interests and to the selection of a principal advisor or mentor from the faculty of the Division of Pharmacology. The advisor then accepts the supervisory role in the development of the student as a scientific investigator.
Qualifying Exams
By the end of June of the second year, the student will be expected to take the qualifying exams. Written exams will last two full days and cover all aspects of the basic principles of pharmacology through essay questions provided by the faculty. Each exam question may be graded by at least two faculty and reviewed by a faculty committee. Passing the comprehensive exam allows the student to move on to the research phase.
Dissertation Research Committee
After passing qualifying exams, the student and mentor select a research committee. This committee advises the student and evaluates the dissertation. The committee includes the student's mentor/advisor and one outside faculty member that may be from another Rush department or other institution according to Rush University policy. Additional faculty may be from the Department of Pharmacology at Rush or from Rush faculty members located at pharmaceutical companies. A majority of the members of the five-member committee must be faculty with full-time appointments at Rush who are members of The Graduate College. The director of the Pharmacology graduate division, and the chair of the Pharmacology department may serve as ex officio members of the committee. The chair of this committee, who cannot be the student's mentor/advisor, will be chosen at the first committee meeting and will preside at all subsequent meetings and arrange for a timely completion of the dissertation work. The dissertation committee strives for consensus in all its actions. A majority vote of the committee's membership, however, is sufficient for all activities except the final approval of the dissertation.
Dissertation Proposal and Presentation
The student will propose a series of publication-grade research projects. The research projects will include an exhaustive literature review, clear objectives for the project, detailed methods, a critical preview of the potential results, and an evaluation of the potential impact of the project. The proposal will be written and will take the form of an NIH grant application (R-21). The proposal will also be presented to the faculty in a public forum and this will constitute the oral exam. The dissertation proposal must be approved by the student's committee and forms the basis for the student's continued research. The dissertation committee must meet at least twice before the student is considered for graduation. Upon completion of all experiments agreed to by the dissertation committee, the student will present the dissertation to the University in written form (approved by the Director of the Library of Rush University Medical Center) and present the work in a public one-hour lecture attended by the dissertation committee and faculty of the University. The dissertation committee then meets in closed session to approve the dissertation. Typically the meeting immediately follows the public lecture. In line with the rules and procedures of The Graduate College, the committee strives for a consensus, but the dissertation can be approved over the objections of a single committee member. However, if two committee members disapprove the dissertation, then it is not approved. The awarding of the PhD degree requires the demonstration of a capability for independent research and a contribution to scientific knowledge.
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