Graduate Educatioin

Department of Pharmacology
East Tennessee State University

The Department offers specialized training in pharmacology and toxicology to students wishing to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Pharmacology. Faculty and students are using a diversity of modern and classical research techniques to address experimental problems at molecular, cellular, organ and whole animal levels.  Ten faculty members and seven adjunct faculty offer unique training opportunities in neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, immunopharmacology and forensic toxicology.

 Prospective students should apply for admission to the Biomedical Science Graduate Program using the standardized application form of the ETSU School of Graduate Studies. A centralized admissions committee of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program will review applications for the Ph.D. program.  The Department of Pharmacology will review applications for students   requesting admission to the M.S. program.  If you are specifically interested in Pharmacology, this preference should be stated in your application .

 During the first year of study, all students receive training through an interdisciplinary core curriculum. The intent of this series of courses is to give students basic knowledge of cellular and molecular biochemistry; physiology and anatomy that is required for work in any field of biomedical science and to provide training in scientific communication, biomedical statistics and scientific ethics. Students also have the opportunity to rotate through labs of their choice during the first year to identify a mentor for their dissertation research.

 Medical Pharmacology is a required second year course for students concentrating in Pharmacology.  Doctoral students are required to present two seminars during the remainder of their training and complete a minimum of two advanced courses and two guided electives.  Advanced and elective courses are selected, in consultation with the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee, and generally meet current or anticipated needs imposed by the student’s research.  The Department offers several graduate courses in pharmacology and toxicology and specific courses offered by other biomedical science departments may be appropriate for some students, depending on their research topic and long-term goals.

 Further information about training opportunities in the Department of Pharmacology can be obtained from individual faculty members or our Graduate Program Coordinator:

Dr. Alok Agrawal
Pharmacology Graduate Coordinator
Department of Pharmacology
Quillen College of Medicine
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone: 423-439-6336
Email: agrawal@etsu.edu