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Master's Program
Research Overview
During the summer of the first year, the student selects a research project in conjunction with a faculty mentor. The research project is designed to advance knowledge in a specific discipline and to yield a scientific publication for the student.
With approval by the Program Director, a student may write a scholarly work in lieu of a research project in which case a committee must still be formed to oversee the work and a public presentation of that work must be given
Academic Advisor/Principal Advisor
The graduate division director functions as the academic advisor to the student during the first year. The Program Director determines the course schedule and monitors the student's progress. In the summer, a principal advisor or mentor is selected 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.
Thesis Research
The advisor will work with the student to develop a research project that can be completed within the framework of the program. The student together with the advisor will form a thesis committee comprised of three members: the advisor (who must be a member of the Graduate College) and two readers. The readers will assure the quality of the document. In addition, the director of the Pharmacology graduate division, and the chair of the Pharmacology department are ex-officio members of all thesis committees. The director of the graduate program and the chair of Pharmacology may also serve as committee members (readers) if asked, or as an advisor if mentoring the student.
Master’s 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 Committee reviews the thesis. The thesis is presented to the University community in an open meeting at the conclusion of the training period. The thesis may or may not reflect original work. However, original work that is published in peer-reviewed journals is a goal. Upon completion of the thesis, the student will present the findings in a public forum open to the University. At least two member of the committee that includes the student's advisor must sign off on the thesis. Following the approval of the Thesis Committee, the Program Director must certify the completion of the thesis and all requirements for the MS degree. The Director of the Library of Rush University Medical Center must then approve the formatting of thesis before its acceptance by the Library of Rush University.
Completion of the Degree:
The Registrars office must be notified of impending completion of the degree by submission of an “intent to graduate” form at the beginning of the final quarter. Information for graduation can be found in the University Catalog http://www.rushu.rush.edu/catalog/acadresources/graduation.html. As the Thesis is reaching final form, the student should consult with the University Librarian to assure that the Thesis will be formatted correctly. Upon Thesis approval, the student completes a final checklist at: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/pdffiles/daall.pdf to assure the necessary approvals. During this time you will be required to have an exit interview and provide us with feedback concerning your experience here at Rush University.
PhD Program
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 multiple faculty members 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 publication-grade research projects. The research projects will include a review of relevant literature, a Specific Aims section that includes clear research goals, a Significance section that includes an evaluation of the potential impact of the project, an Innovation section that includes a discussion of how this proposal departs from the literature and offers a new conceptualizations or methods. The Approach section then details Preliminary Data, and proposed experiments and methods. A detailed bibliography over all sections is required. The Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation and Approach sections will take the form of an NIH grant application (R-21). The students should follow the NIH grant application guidelines in completing the proposal. The dissertation proposal must be presented at a department seminar and 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.
Completion of the Degree:
The Registrars office must be notified of impending completion of the degree by submission of an “intent to graduate” form at the beginning of the final quarter. Information for graduation can be found in the University Bulletin http://www.rushu.rush.edu/catalog/acadresources/graduation.html. As the Dissertation is reaching final form, the student should consult with the University Librarian to assure that the Dissertation will be formatted correctly. Upon Dissertation approval, the student completes a final checklist at: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/pdffiles/daall.pdf to assure the necessary approvals. During this time you will be required to have an exit interview and provide us with feedback concerning your experience here at Rush University. |
