School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD in Pharmacological Sciences

The work of researchers in the pharmaceutical industry saves lives by exploring wellness, disease, and the discovery and development of medications to combat illness and improve health. For those who wish to join the researchers who are working to make safe medicine and quality treatment accessible to all, a PhD in Pharmacological Sciences can be the first step.

The UC Irvine PhD in Pharmacological Sciences program allows students to gain in-depth research experience in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry.

Pharmacological Sciences

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Fall 2024 application to be considered for Fall 2025 admission

Fall 2025 application to be considered for Fall 2026 admission

Fall 2026 application to be considered for Fall 2027 admission

Fall 2027 application to be considered for Fall 2028 admission

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Admissions is always a competitive process. However, at minimum, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Research (laboratory or fieldwork) experience is a primary criterion for acceptance into the PhD in Pharmacological Sciences program.

Two years of biology and chemistry courses are preferred. However, because we are an interdisciplinary program, we admit students from various academic backgrounds, so there are no specific course requirements.

No, the PhD in Pharmacological Sciences program no longer requires prospective students to take the GRE.

Once applications are submitted, the admissions committee reviews applications and selects applicants for an interview. In-person interviews are usually conducted in late January. Admitted candidates generally receive an offer from mid-February through April 15, which is the decision deadline set by the Council of Graduate Schools. Those who are not selected for admission may be notified before this. Timelines can vary depending on placement on the waitlist and other factors.

You can apply for our PhD program now through the UCI Graduate Division application.

Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2023, in order to be considered for Fall 2024 admission.

In addition to answering the application questions, you will need to submit several documents to complete your application.

Legible, scanned copies of your transcripts should be uploaded as part of the online application and must include your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, and a grading legend. If you are admitted and choose to enroll into the program, the UCI Graduate Division will request your official transcripts.

You will need to write and submit a Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement, as well as have three letters of recommendation. Writers of these letters may include professors, employers, people you have worked with in a volunteer setting, or anyone who can speak to your academic and professional abilities, as well as your potential as a research scientist.

The Statement of Purpose should effectively communicate your motivations, academic and research background, research interests, and career goals, as well as how you are a suitable candidate for the program. Highlight your academic achievements, projects, publications, and research experience in pharmaceutical sciences or related fields and explain how this experience prepared you for graduate school.

While the Statement of Purpose shares your academic objectives, the Personal History Statement is an opportunity to tell us your story, including any experiences and/or challenges relevant to your academic journey — tell us how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a PhD. Be sure to describe any hardships that affected your GPA or academic performance in the Personal History Statement.

The application includes two additional questions: “What does diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mean to you? How have you contributed to DEI at your prior institution and/or community?” and “Thinking about your research interests, name 3 faculty members and explain your motivation for working with them.”

Regarding the DEI question, we want to hear how you have demonstrated an understanding of and a commitment to creating a welcoming living, learning, or working environment for those around you.

The question regarding faculty of interest allows you to expand on your research interests and explicitly provide the names of faculty you find best fit with your research and career goals.

Make sure to take the time to go through the list of faculty associated with our program on our website and take note of which faculty are currently recruiting new students.

All graduate applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency for admissions consideration. Applicants are waived from the English language proficiency requirement if they have earned an undergraduate or master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction, according to the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

More details about English language proficiency requirements can be found here.

If you have further questions that have not been answered here, please review the information on our website and see a more detailed FAQ document here or feel free to contact us at pharmsci-grad@uci.edu.

Applying for the PhD program costs $135 for US citizens and permanent residents and $155 for international applicants. Fee waivers may be available to domestic applicants who are veterans, have participated in certain minority research programs, or have documented financial need. More information about fee waivers can be found here.

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