Department of Pharmacology Graduate Programs in Medicine University of Washington

Pharmacology Department Faculty Members Are Involved in a Range of Diverse Research Programs

Faculty members in the Department of Pharmacology explore a range of research areas, including molecular pharmacology, cellular regulation, neuropharmacology, and environmental toxicology. Faculty research concentrates upon the central mechanisms underlying pharmacology, physiology, and the molecular source of disease, looking for insight into the role of molecules in altering the function of cells and organisms. The main, departmental research areas are cellular signaling, neurophysiology, drug addiction, gene regulation, stem cells, and protein structure and function.

The department's faculty members and research facilities have received prestigious honors, including elections to the National Academy of Sciences and Dr. Edwin Krebs's Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. Collaborative research occurs between faculty members in the pharmacology department and those in physiology and biophysics, biochemistry, biological structure, genome sciences, medicinal chemistry, pathology, environmental health, and other departments. This cooperative approach extends the research opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. State-of-the-art research facilities act as vital resources to the graduate student of pharmacology.

These resources include the DNA Sequencing Facility, Mass Spectrometry Center, Cell Analysis Facility, and Spectroscopic and Analytical Instrumentation Facility. Researchers from the Department of Pharmacology and other areas utilize the W. M. Keck Foundation Center for Advanced Studies in Neural Signaling, which was established to investigate nerve cells. Sophisticated instrumentation and techniques within these facilities support a broad range of research.

Students in Graduate Degree Programs in Pharmacology Resolve Research Challenges and Present Educational Lectures

During their first year in the University of Washington's Ph.D. program in pharmacology, students experience three laboratory rotations and study various areas of molecular pharmacology. The rotations teach the students different theoretical and technical research approaches, and one of these lab settings will eventually serve as their dissertation laboratory. In the second year, students start their dissertation research projects. Active research has recently been focused on such activities as exploring how cells regulate their vital processes through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms and studying how individual cells are acted upon by hormones, neurotransmitters, and other physiological regulators.

The pharmacology department offers advising and guidance to ensure students complete all degree program requirements within six years of enrollment, though it normally takes only four to five years to earn a Ph.D.. Graduate students are asked to contribute to educational programs within the department, allowing them to acquire experience in presenting both lecture topics and laboratory information. Students working toward their graduate degrees are also asked to take part in departmental seminars.

The university's high ranking among U.S. pharmacology departments stems in part from its emphasis on teaching and research training. Those enrolled in the graduate degree program work alongside respected faculty members during hands-on projects. As graduate researchers, students benefit from individualized courses of study that enhance their knowledge and research skills while encouraging independent thinking. Graduates of the pharmacology degree program have success in the fields of academic and industrial research following graduation.

Seattle Is a University City That Blends Unique Urban Living with Pacific Coast Beauty

Seattle is delightfully scenic and culturally interesting. This city shares its cultural insights through its landmark Space Needle, Museum of History and Industry, and Museum of Natural History and Culture. It is also the location of the University of Washington, a globally preeminent research university. With plenty of public transportation options, Seattle makes moving around easier for students, helping them reach the unique Pike Place Market, the International District, the Waterfront, and other areas.

Most everyone can find something to pique their interest while walking in Seattle's Pioneer Square. The city's first neighborhood, the area offers Victorian Romanesque architecture, a waterfall garden, art galleries, historic places, and entertainment. Elsewhere in Seattle, students run, bike, or skate in Green Lake Park, a natural preserve for animals. They can enjoy a picnic at waterfront Alki Beach Park or catch views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains all across Seattle's parklands.

Washington is an ideal blend of urban interests and natural beauty. Sightseeing trips in this part of the Pacific Northwest can include taking in the peaks and valleys of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, or students can "island hop" to three San Juan Islands off the Washington coast, exploring each one's characteristics, from sandy shores to forests. Within an hour's drive, robust outdoor recreation is available in three major national parks. And back in the city, students can easily find anything from their favorite music to ballet, opera, a repertory playhouse and theaters, and a symphony orchestra.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 2
• Doctoral Degrees 4
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied74
• Accepted16
• Acceptance Rate21%
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? No
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline February 1st Not Reported Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test, minimum GPA of 3.0
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesNot Reported

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$5,539
• Out-of-state tuition *$14,376
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$390.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsMarch 15
• Types of financial support availableFellowships, Research Assitantships, Teaching Assistantships, Tuition Waivers, Federal Work-Study, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Traineeships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students37
• Female Percentage51%
• Male Percentage49%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students37
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino3%
• Black / African American3%
• White / Caucasian79%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian16%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown-1%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty22
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Female Percentage18%
• Male Percentage82%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchNeuroscience, cell physiology, molecular biology, regulation of metabolism, signal transduction
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last year$5,100,000