UCLA Fully Funded PhD in Molecular Pharmacology

PhD @University of California, Los Angeles posted 1 week ago

Job Description

Program Overview

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Department: Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology (DMMP)
Affiliation: Graduate Programs in Bioscience (GPB)
Location: Los Angeles, California

UCLA’s PhD program in Molecular and Medical Pharmacology offers interdisciplinary training that integrates pharmacology, biology, engineering, and medical sciences. The program emphasizes understanding disease biology, developing molecular diagnostics, and creating novel therapeutics. Students have access to cutting-edge research facilities, including the Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging and the Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division.

Funding Package

All admitted PhD students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:

Tuition and Fees: Full coverage.
Stipend: Approximately $34,000 per year.
Duration: Guaranteed for five years, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.

Funding is provided through a combination of university or departmental fellowships, and academic student employment, such as Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions. Additional support is available through programs like the Fellowship Incentive Program and NIH T32 training grants.

Curriculum Structure

The PhD program is structured to provide a robust foundation in molecular pharmacology, with flexibility to tailor coursework to individual research interests.

Core Components

Coursework: Required courses include Molecular and Medical Pharmacology 200 (three quarters), 237, 251 (taken every quarter during the first and second year), 291, and 292. MIMG C234 is also required during the spring quarter of the first year. After rotations, students enroll in M Pharm 596 or 599 until program completion.
Laboratory Rotations: Three laboratory rotations during the first year to explore various research areas and techniques. A fourth rotation may be permitted under special circumstances.
Teaching Experience: One quarter as a teaching assistant is required, typically completed by the end of the third year.
Qualifying Examinations: A two-step process involving the M Pharm 292 course on proposal writing and a thesis proposal defense. Students must pass these examinations to advance to candidacy.
Dissertation: Completion and defense of a doctoral dissertation contributing to the field of molecular pharmacology.

Students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and achieve grades of B or better in all required courses.

Admission Requirements

Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, or life sciences.
Application Materials:
- Online application through UCLA Graduate Admissions.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Personal History Statement.
- Resume/CV.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Unofficial transcripts.
- Official transcripts sent directly from the applicant’s college/university.
- TOEFL/IELTS scores (for international applicants only).
- Fellowship application (if applying for Graduate Division fellowships).
Application Fee:
- $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- $155 for international applicants.