Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Binghamton University
Graduate Student Handbook 2024-2025
Contents
Welcome
Our program
Members of the Faculty
First steps for accepted students
Orientation
Health Insurance
Registration
General Information
Stipend
Vacation
Building Access
Laboratory Safety
Access to Equipment
Academic Standing
MS Program Requirements
Coursework
Options
PhD Program Requirements
Coursework
Forming a Graduate committee
Student Seminars (PHSC 600)
Comprehensive Evaluation
Academic Honesty
Original Research
Dissertation Defense
Final Check-out
Important Timelines
Expectations to Maintain Satisfactory Progress Toward Degree
Funding
Resources for Students
Key Policies Related to Research
Other Departmental Business
Questions?
Appendix B: Pharmaceutial Sciences Student Annual Report
Appendix C: Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Evaluation Form
Welcome from the Program Director
Welcome to our Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Binghamton University. We are delighted that you selected our School for your graduate studies. We've got a lot to offer you — a brand-new, ultramodern building and laboratory space; small class sizes; caring faculty; and opportunities to pursue whatever path you want in pharmaceutical sciences. It is our commitment and pleasure to provide you with high-quality education and training to become an expert in the field and excel as a researcher in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to you and your faculty advisors throughout your studies in your progress to a successful graduation.
Dr. Yetrib Hathout,
Professor and Director of the Graduate Program
Dr. Nathan Tumey
Associate Professor and Assistant Director of the Graduate Program
Welcome from the Department Chair
Welcome graduate students to our program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. It is an exciting time in the pharmaceutical sciences field! Advances in genetic technologies, cell culture, animal models, analytical instruments, and bioassay development – and – the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, novel drugs, and novel ways to deliver drugs offer great potential for disease therapy and the advancement of human health in general. As a graduate student in our program, you will:
● Advance your knowledge of the biological basis of health and disease
● Study major drug classes and their contemporary use
● Investigate the process of drug discovery, development, validation and testing, and the regulatory process for drug approval
● Build your understanding of experimental design and biostatistics
● Develop experimental “wet lab” expertise to design and run experiments, collect and analyze data, and understand the advantages and limitations of your work
● Expand your skills in reading, understanding, and applying scientific literature and advance your ability to communicate about science to colleagues/experts, other health professionals, and the public
● Explore areas of interest through elective courses such as Genomics & Proteomics, Drug Delivery & Gene Therapy, and Biosensors
You embark on this journey of discovery with us, a dedicated group of expert faculty, as your guides and mentors in your development as a scientist. It will be a busy time and you will have successes and failures - as all experiments do - but ultimately this road of discovery is exciting and fruitful.
Let’s get started!
Dr. Aaron Beedle,
Associate Professor and Chair
Our program
The Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences will train students in the use, development, and implementation of emerging technologies to advance research in the fields of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Students in the program will gain the essential strategic, intellectual, and technical skills necessary to enter careers in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, and academia in New York State and beyond. The program will educate the next generation of scientists to be well-versed in emerging areas of drug target discovery, drug testing, and drug delivery, and will prepare graduates for careers in a variety of scientific fields and healthcare leadership positions.
▪ Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Focused on foundational and technical knowledge to prepare students with workforce-ready skills
- Designed to be completed in 1.5 years
▪ PhD in Pharmaceutical Science
- Designed to be completed in four to five years
- Interdisciplinary focused on identifying and overcoming key hurdles in the design and development of pharmaceutical technologies.
- Designed to be completed in approximately 5 years
The MS program is focused on foundational and technical knowledge to prepare students with workforce-ready skills. The coursework and seminars are designed to provide students with theoretical and applied knowledge, and in particular, requires class and lab work in analytical methods and instrumentation to prepare students for the workforce. Students have the option of completing a research project in the department or through internships to expand their experience. The final semester of the MS program allows for a research project, internship, and/or elective coursework depending on the availability of placements and students’ interests.
The PhD is awarded for an original investigation leading to significant advances of knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical and/or biomedical sciences. Didactic courses and seminars will provide students with the required theoretical knowledge, basic principles, and methods in the field. Under guidance of the departmental graduate committee, students will complete those courses which best serve their particular needs and interests.
In the course of training, students are expected to demonstrate, by appropriate examination, a breadth of knowledge in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, with the integration of chemistry, biochemistry, biology and physiology.
The PhD program is interdisciplinary with strong research and resource capabilities, where students can learn from faculty members with expertise in many different subject areas. The program consists of foundational courses in the first year followed by more specialized training in the second year. The remaining years of the program are dedicated to mentored research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation. Specific training in experimental design and scientific communication takes place throughout the PhD program, which typically takes 5 years to complete.
Graduates of the MS program will be particularly well-suited for the life-sciences sector and technology services organizations. PhD graduates will be prepared for academic, government, and industrial research positions. Entrepreneurial opportunities are also available, preparing graduates to address the rapid growth in biomedical and pharmaceutical startup companies and to provide consultation and technical advisory services to law firms, venture capitalists, and the financial services industry. Graduates may also find themselves working in government in areas such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Members of the Faculty
Primary Members (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences):
- Jared Bagley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Aaron Beedle, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair
- Tracy Brooks, Ph.D., Associate Professor, and Vice Chair
- Tony Davis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Katie Edwards, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Yuan Fang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Yetrib Hathout, Ph.D., Professor and Graduate Program Director
- Eric Hoffman, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Dean for Research
- Yanyan Li, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- KC Mei, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Melissa Morales, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Kanneboyina Nagaraju, D.V.M, Ph.D., Professor, and Dean
- Gail Rattinger, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Professor, Health Outcomes and Administrative Sciences Department
- L. Nathan Tumey, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Assistant Graduate Director
- Tao Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Other Associated Members:
- Leon Cosler,Ph.D., Associate Professor, Health Outcomes and Administrative Sciences Department
- Guy German, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering
- Sha Jin, Ph.D., Professor and Undergraduate Director, Biomedical Engineering
- Kaiming Ye, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Biomedical Engineering
Other Associated Members:
- Leon Cosler, PhD, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
- Willie Eggleston, PharmD, Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
- Guy German, PhD, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Biomedical Engineering
- Sha Jin, PhD, Professor and Undergraduate Director, Biomedical Engineering
- Kaiming Ye, PhD, Professor and Chair, Biomedical Engineering
First steps for accepted students
The following website outlines the steps needed for incoming graduate students, ranging from accepting offers of admission, obtaining graduate student ID cards, registering for courses, paying for parking, and establishing New York State residency. Please follow the steps within and direct any questions to the graduate director or graduate administrative assistant. Your Binghamton email address will be used for communications within the program.
Orientation
All graduate students receiving GA or TA positions are required to attend the University’s New Graduate Student Orientation which covers strategies for success, expectations of these roles, human resources and benefits information, and membership in the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU).
All graduate students are expected to also attend our departmental orientation, an informal event designed to provide an overview of our program and expectations unique to operating within SOPPS. TAs within our program will be provided with an orientation to the learning technologies required within SOPPS including BrightSpace, ExamNow, and ExamSoft.
Health Insurance
As members of the Graduate Student Employees Union, TAs and GAs are entitled to participate in a health insurance plan. However, enrollment is not automatic; eligible students must enroll for the plan using a form available from Employee Benefits in the Office of Human Resources in Couper Administration Building 244.
Visit the Human Resources website for more detailed information.
Registration
Course registration for starting students will take place before the start of the fall semester with assistance by the Department Administrative Coordinator. Continuing students should pre-register themselves using BU Brain for desired classes approximately 3 months prior to the start of the subsequent semester, especially if taking electives outside of Pharmaceutical Sciences. If you are taking a course outside of Pharmaceutical Sciences please contact the relevant department and instructor directly to get permission to enroll in the course and make sure you meet any prerequisites. The department offering the course may have to enroll you.
It is important that you confirm your enrollment each semester in BU Brain using the following instructions.
General Information
Stipend
In addition to Graduate School policies, TA/GA appointments comply with stipulations outlined in the Graduate Student Employees Union contract. The academic year stipend is $24,000, which makes the students also eligible for insurance benefits. Summer research stipends of ~$6,000 are generally available for students to continue their research between academic periods.
Vacation
Doctoral students are permitted up to two weeks of paid vacation a year, which can accumulate across years for no more than a total of four weeks in one year allowed. Statutory holidays (~13 days/year) are not considered against these two weeks; the SUNY RF holiday schedule is used to determine the holiday schedule annually. Vacation is to be scheduled around class and TA responsibilities and to be approved by the Graduate Program Director or the Research Director. Note that doctoral students are generally expected to continue working through typical undergraduate breaks such as spring break, fall break, and winter break.
Building Access
Access to the parking lot and building is through an activated Binghamton University ID card. If you plan to drive to the campus, you will need to obtain a parking permit which is renewed annually. Please be sure to ensure your car/license plate is registered on your parking permit and park in the student spaces to avoid possible tickets.
Laboratory Safety
Before ID card access to the laboratories will be granted, students are required to take the university’s annual laboratory safety training as well as biohazard training available through the CITI program. Additional trainings may be required as a function of the type of research or funding that the student will be involved with. See Appendix A for a list of required and additional trainings.
Access to Equipment
Many of our equipment/instruments are shared amongst all faculty in the department. Please consult with your Advisor before requesting access to a new piece of equipment. Your Advisor can help you arrange for training to allow you to use the instrument. If common equipment needs to be used for an extended period of time, such as overnight, students should send a departmental email in advance of the requirement to make sure all are aware and there are no conflicts.
Academic Standing
Students entering our program will need to enroll in 12-credits per semester in the first year to be considered full-time. In subsequent years, 9-credits per semester is considered full-time. Continuous registration across consecutive semesters is required (fall, spring, and summer), including the semester where final degree requirements are met.
A cumulative, minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to maintain good academic standing, receive laboratory placement, and not risk removal from the program. No credit will be granted for which a grade lower than a C- has been received. Students who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation and may be dismissed from the program if satisfactory progress toward the degree is not made. Failure to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or failure of the comprehensive exam with a maximum of two attempts will result in dismissal from the PhD program. Depending on time in residence of the doctoral program, options may be available to complete an M.S. degree.
Courses that have been granted waivers due to coursework at a prior institution are not used towards the minimum GPA requirement nor do they count towards satisfying the residency requirement.
Students awarded TA positions must meet and maintain a satisfactory level of performance in carrying out their TA duties or their position/stipend may be discontinued.
MS Program Requirements
Coursework
For the M.S. degree, successful completion of 33 credit hours of graduate coursework is required. These credits are to be fulfilled as follows:
| Fall, Semester 1 | Spring, Semester 2 | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 601: Pharmaceutical Sciences | 5 | PHSC 602: Pharmaceutical Sciences II* | 4 |
| PHRSC 610: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases | 3 | PHSC 611: Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHSC 600: Department and Student Seminar Series | 1 | PHSC 600: Department and Student Seminar Series |
1 |
| PHSC 518: Analytical Methods and Instrumentation I | 3 | PHSC 519: Analytical Methods and Instrumentation II | 4 |
| 1st Semester Credits | 12 | 2nd Semester Credits | 12 |
| Fall, Semester 3 | |||
| Course | Credits | ||
|
Choice of: - PHSC 598MS (Research Project or Industry internship#) - 6 hours of electives (500 level of above) |
6 | ||
| 3-credit elective 500-level or above | 3 | ||
| 3rd Semester Credits | 9 | ||
| Total credits | 33 | ||
*PHSC 602 has a prerequisite of PHSC 601
#Internships must be approved by the faculty.
Elective coursework needs to be 500 level or above. Selections may be from within the offerings of the Pharmaceutical Sciences department or may be from across campus in related fields such as Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or Biomedical Engineering. Non-PHRM electives are welcome if they progress the student’s research interests, with approval from the graduate director or committee. Students are advised to select electives in consultation with their advisor. For planned future employment in industry, students are encouraged to take advantage of the research project or internship option.
Options
Elective option -vs- research
During the 3rd semester of study, students may complete the requirements for their master's degree either through coursework, with 9 total hours of electives, or through laboratory work/internships with 6 research/intern hours and 3 hours of electives.
Accelerated MS program: Although the program is designed to be completed within 1.5 years, there is an option to petition completion within one calendar year. M.S. students may petition the faculty to use the summer period for 6 credits of research to complete a project (equating to 30-40 hours of laboratory work per week for the 10-week summer semester), and overload in the spring semester to add the 3 credit elective. (as shown below) Petitions for the 12-month (summer inclusive) program must be submitted in writing before the end of the first semester in the program, and must include a concrete plan for the elective class and the professor who has agreed to host the summer research project. Petitions should be submitted to the Graduate Student Director. In order to be accepted into this accelerated program, students are required to have obtained a 3.25 GPA in the Fall of semester 1. The accelerated curriculum is designed to be completed in one calendar year, as shown below.
| Fall, Semester 1 | Spring, Semester 2 | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 601: Pharmaceutical Sciences I | 5 | PHSC 602: Pharmaceutical Sciences II* | 4 |
| PHSC 610: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases | 3 | PHSC 611: Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHSC 600: Department and Student Seminar Series | 1 | PHSC 600: Department and Student Seminar Series | 1 |
| PHSC 518: Analytical methods and instrumentation I | 3 | PHSC 519: Analytical methods and instrumentation II | 4 |
| 3 credit elective (must be approved by advisor) | 3 | ||
| 1st Semester Credits | 12 | 2nd Semester Credits | 15-6 |
| Summer, Semester 3 | Credits | ||
| -PHSC 598MS (research project or internship#) | 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 33-34 |
*PHSC 602 has a prerequisite of PHSC 601
#Internships must be approved by the faculty.
PhD Program Requirements
Students entering into the Ph.D. program will take advanced courses in pharmaceutical sciences, biostatistics, and the cellular and molecular basis of human disease. They will gain a breadth of knowledge and advance their professional presentation skills through the department and student seminar series.
During their first year, all students will also complete three lab rotations before placement in the research lab where they will complete their Ph.D. research. The lab rotations are intended to further the breadth of experience as well as to help them identify the area of research that they would like to commit to for their dissertation research. Upon admission, students are encouraged to identify faculty members and their research that is of interest to them for potential lab rotations. Students are encouraged to take an active role in learning techniques pertinent to each lab to gain familiarity and facilitate their original research.
To receive a Ph.D. degree, students focus on an original research topic in the lab of their dissertation advisor, culminating in the successful submission and defense of a dissertation.
Coursework
The Ph.D. degree requires successful completion of 64 credit hours of graduate coursework, inclusive of dissertation research credit and aforementioned classes, to be fulfilled as follows:
| Fall, Semester 1 | Spring, Semester 2 | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 601: Pharmaceutical Sciences I | 5 | PHSC 602: Pharmaceutical Sciences II | 4 |
| PHSC 610: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases | 3 | PHSC 611: Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHSC 600: Department and Student Seminar Series | 1 | PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series |
1 |
| PHSC 693: Lab Rotations I | 3 | PHSC 519: Lab Rotations II | 4 |
| Semester 1 Credits | 12 | Semester 2 Credits | 12 |
| Fall, Semester 3 | Spring, Semester 4 | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| 3-credit elective 500 level or above* | 3 | 3-credit elective 500 level or above** | 3 |
| 3-credit elective 500 level or above * | 3 | PHSC 613: Critical Thinking and Communication in Research and Drug Development | 4 |
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series | 1 | PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series |
1 |
| PHSC 699: Pre-Dissertation research | 2 | PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation research | 1 |
| Semester 3 Credits | 9 | Semester 4 Credits | 9 |
| Fall, Semester 5 | Spring, Semester 6 | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation research | 8 | PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation research | 8 |
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series | 1 | PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series | 1 |
| Semester 5 Credits | 9 | Semester 6 Credits | 9 |
| Fall, Semester 7** | Spring, Semester 8** | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation research | 1 | PHSC 699: Dissertation research | 1 |
| Semester 7 Credits | 1 | Semester 8 Credits | 1 |
| Fall, Semester 9** | Spring, Semester 10** | ||
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation research | 1 | PHSC 699: Dissertation research | 1 |
| Semester 9 Credits | 1 | Semester 10 Credits | 1 |
| Total credits | 64 | ||
^PHSC602 has a prerequisite of PHSC601
** With “Full-time working toward degree status.”
* Elective courses taken outside of the department must be approved by your advisor before taking.
Upon admission to the Ph.D. program, students will be assigned a graduate faculty advisor who will assist students in understanding the program structure, requirements, and research opportunities available. This initial advisor is in place during the first year while students are completing their lab rotations and may or may not become the student’s dissertation advisor. Late in the 1st semester of the first year, each student will be matched with a dissertation advisor. This matching will be performed by the department leadership and will take into account the student’s interests, project needs, and budgetary availability of faculty members. In the event that a suitable match has not been identified at the end of the 1st semester, the student will participate in additional laboratory rotations in the second semester until a match is identified. In the rare circumstance that a suitable match is not identified at the end of the second semester, the student may be transitioned into the MS program.
Students are required to take three electives from the offerings available in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHRM 680 series), or from other departments (500/600 level) via approval. Some electives are offered alternate years so students are advised to check the course bulletin. Electives external to the department will be considered for approval on a case by case basis by consideration from the graduate program director.
The graduate program director, with the admission committee, may grant course waivers to external students with a Master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences who are admitted to our PhD program if the courses taken by the students at their previous institution are equivalent to our proposed courses. Students who have completed Binghamton University’s MS program and wish to apply to our PhD program will be granted automatic course waivers for the completed credits.
Forming a Graduate Committee
The student, in consultation with their dissertation advisor, will form a graduate committee of four faculty members. These members will include the dissertation advisor, who serves as the chair of the committee, and three additional faculty members. One of the additional faculty members is encouraged to be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in an external department for breadth of knowledge and approaches. This committee must be formed by the end of the 3rd semester. The committee will meet with the student during the 4th semester in the program, and annually thereafter, though may meet more frequently as needed. An annual report (see Appendix B) must be completed and submitted to the committee one week before the annual meeting. The committee will evaluate the student’s academic performance, advise on elective choices in concert with the student’s interests, and evaluate the student’s research progress (e.g.-updates on research progress, professional development (fellowships, awards), research output (posters, publications).) The annual report with a summary of each meeting will be signed by the student and committee members and submitted to the PharmSci graduate director, due annually by 6/1.
Student Seminars (PHSC 600)
Professional communication is a key skill for a successful career as a scientist, at every level. The seminar series is designed for all students to develop and hone these skills in a scaffolded manner. For the first three years, students will present a 20-25 min seminar on either literature (year one) or their research (second and third years). Students in successive years will require a one-hour seminar on their research until the time of their dissertation defense. Feedback (See Appendix C) will be obtained for seminars from students, staff, and faculty and provided to the presenting student in a summarized and anonymous manner.
Comprehensive Evaluation/Original Research proposal (ORP)
Students are expected to be ‘course complete’ (with the exception of PHRM 600) after the 2nd year. By September 15st of the 5th semester students will submit a written grant proposal (in the format of an F31 proposal with the abstract, specific aims page, strategy and reference sections) on a topic that differs from their primary research project (See Appendix: ORP Guidelines). Students may submit the ORP as early as the summer following their G2 year. Defenses for all 5th semester students will be scheduled by the department and students will defend their proposals orally to demonstrate their comprehensive knowledge in both an open (to the school/public) and closed (to their committee) session. A Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty member, other than the dissertation advisor, will serve as the chair of the comprehensive committee (See Appendix: ORP Committee and Cover Sheet). This chair is to be selected by the student. Successful completion (See Appendix: ORP Rubric) and defense of this proposal will confer to the student PhD candidacy status. If the student does not successfully defend and complete this evaluation, feedback will be provided and a second session will be scheduled within an abbreviated timeline. Separate guidelines are available for the timing format, and evaluation of the comprehensive evaluation. Students who do not successfully complete the comprehensive evaluation by the end of semester 6 are subject to dismissal from the program.
Prospectus
Students are required to prepare and present a prospectus concerning their current research and future goals during their G3 year. Specifically, students will choose between writing an F31-formatting Strategy section, or a 5-7 page document encapsulating an introduction and background, a formal hypothesis, and aim/approach/preliminary data section (See Appendix: Prospectus Guideline). The document is due to their committee and to the department administrator by 4/15 of their G3 year and will constitute the primary presentation and/or discussion at their May G3 committee meetings.
Academic Honesty
Original Research
Students in conjunction with their faculty advisor and their line of research are expected to develop an original research topic to which they will dedicate their focus for their dissertation.
PhD students will be expected to develop high quality, original research that is publishable in high impact journals in their field. To be successful in manuscript writing and acceptance, a thorough review and familiarity of the topic area is required. Some of the journals that our faculty have published in while at Binghamton University include biomedical journals (FEBS Letters, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Scientific Reports), analytical chemistry (Talanta, Analytical Chemistry), drug formulation (AAPSJ), and drug delivery (Bioconjugate Chemistry, Journal of Controlled Release).
At least one manuscript must be submitted and/or accepted related to the student’s original research as a requirement before defense of a dissertation. The subject of the manuscript must be primary research, and not a review article. The level of authorship is required to be substantial (first author or co-first authorship). Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation should be provided to the committee members two weeks (minimally) in advance of the intended defense date.
An outside examiner will need to be chosen who will independently review the dissertation and participate in the dissertation defense. (See graduate school manual for additional details.) The external examiner must be external to the department, and may be external to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences or the University as a whole. A Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty member, other than the dissertation advisor, will serve as the chair of the dissertation committee. This chair is to be selected by the student.
The accumulation of work that comprises a student’s thesis is to be presented in a public forum over a time period of approximately 45-50 minutes. Following the public presentation, the student will meet with their committee in a closed session, including the outside examiner. For the doctoral degree to be conferred, unanimous approval must be obtained by the examining committee for passing the defense. More details and the required forms are available through the graduate school.
Final Check out
After thesis completion and before separation from the university, students must complete a final check out with their Advisor. This process includes returning all property of the university (laptops, notebooks, samples) and making sure that clear protocols are written up and retained by the Advisor.
Important Timelines (see Timeline Overview for comprehensive list)
Incoming students should meet with their initial advisor prior to the start of the 2nd week of classes. This meeting will consist of an informal conversation about the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and professional aspirations. A form to be submitted to the PharmSci Graduate Program Director will be signed by both the student and the initial advisor documenting this meeting. The initial advisor will meet with the student in the subsequent semester to discuss progress and outcomes of laboratory rotations.
Students are directed to https://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/resources/forms.html for an up to date list of forms and due dates that may be needed during their program.
Key forms include the Admission to Candidacy for Doctoral Degree (ABD status) and Outside examiner request form.
Committee formation: End of 3rd semester
Comprehensive ORP submission and examination: September 15 of 5th semester with examinations to be scheduled.
Prospectus submission and presentation: Submission of written prospectus is by January 15th of 6th semester, with oral presentation in early Spring of the same semester.
Graduate application for degree May 7
Thesis/Dissertation Electronic submissions May 21
Thesis/Dissertation Processing fee June 4
Expectations to Maintain Satisfactory Progress Toward Degree
Department and student seminar attendance is mandatory for all students before reaching Ph.D. candidacy status.
Breaks in the academic calendar year (e.g.-winter/summer breaks) allow graduate students substantial time to focus and make progress on their research projects. Unlike most undergraduate programs, this is not intended to be a break from academic commitments. Summer research stipends through grant funding may be provided for students to continue their research between academic periods.
Funding
Students enrolled in the PhD program receive tuition and stipend support through a combination of TA (teaching assistant) and/or GA (graduate research assistant) awards; support is generally provided for up to five years and extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Support for GA positions will come from faculty and departmental research grants. Students who are not NYS residents will qualify for funded scholarships for out-of-state tuition for the first year only and must either become NYS residents or will be held responsible for the difference between the in-state versus out-of-state tuition rates. Out-of-state students entering the program are expected to establish NYS residency after the first two semesters.
Application for and receipt of competitive funding opportunities significantly strengthen a student’s CV for future employment opportunities and may allow them more independence in their graduate work. Students are encouraged to apply for internal and external fellowship opportunities in collaboration with their dissertation advisors. Examples of federally-funded opportunities include the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship (https://researchtraining.nih.gov/programs/fellowships/F31) and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201&org=NSF). Fellowships are also available through independent organizations such as AHA, AFPE, AHRQ, AACR, PhrMA Foundation, NACDS and AFM.
For a comprehensive and updated list, see the following: https://research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-opportunities/graduate/
Additionally, the Binghamton University graduate school has several fellowship opportunities that are available for graduate students. These include:
• Clifford D. Clark Diversity Fellowships
• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge to Doctorate (BD) program
• Graduate Opportunity Program for former HEOP, EOP or SEEK program participants
• Binghamton University Foundation Fellowships
Students are advised to discuss these and other options with their advisor and/or graduate director. Please pay special attention to due dates and award criteria before applying.
Tuition support and TA/GA appointments are not available to M.S. students, though these students have full access to Binghamton University Graduate School Financial Support resources in collaboration with the University Office of Financial Aid and Student Records.
The graduate school provides resources for financial aid, assistantships, fellowships and scholarships, employment opportunities, opportunities for underrepresented students, opportunities for tuition payment support, research and travel funding, and external funding. Students are encouraged to view and apply for applicable internal and external scholarships, fellowships and awards.
Resources for Students
In addition to the departmental support structure, Binghamton University offers a variety of support services that are available (free of charge) to graduate students. These include:
Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development: This office provides career guidance and support including job searching, mock-interviews, resume design, and job fairs.
Binghamton University Counseling Center: This office provides student confidential counseling services and mental-health support. Support for conflict resolution is also provided.
The office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) assists all international students in gaining initial visas for U.S. entry, permission for Optional Practical Training, and information required in emergencies.
Services for Students with Disabilities:
Other student support services, ranging from expert library faculty and staff to health services to counseling, are also available to all students in the program.
Key Policies Related to Research
Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research The University's Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research can be found at: https://www.binghamton.edu/research/compliance/responsibleconductofresearch.html.
The policy defines research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, conducting, or reporting research and creative scholarly activity. It does not include honest error or honest differences in interpretations or judgments of data. Allegations of research misconduct are reported to the Vice President for Research who has primary responsibility for overseeing research integrity.
Policies on Intellectual Property: The University's policy on Patent and Inventions Policy and Computer Software can be found at https://www.binghamton.edu/research/innovation/index.html.
All persons using the facilities of Binghamton University must abide by these policies. These policies define what intellectual property is, that in most cases the State of New York owns the intellectual rights, and describe the rewards due the inventor of intellectual property.
Ethical Guidelines for the Publication of Research: All students are required to follow professional and ethical guidelines for publication of research as asserted by the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS guidelines related to publication can be found at https://pubs.acs.org/userimages/ContentEditor/1218054468605/ethics.pdf.
These guidelines will be shared and discussed with all graduate students through the Graduate Seminar course (PHSC 600). Students that do not adhere to these guidelines will be subject to penalties, which may include a recommendation to the Graduate School for dismissal from the program. The American Chemical Society's Ethical Guidelines to Publication of Chemical Research include the following text: "The co-authors of a paper should be all those persons who have made significant scientific contributions to the work reported and who share responsibility and accountability for the results. . . . The author who submits a manuscript for publication accepts the responsibility of having included as co-authors all persons appropriate and none inappropriate." Graduate students are required to sign a statement that they have read, understand, and agree to these policies and guidelines.
Other Departmental Business
Mediation/Ombudsmen: Times may arise when students and PIs are not able to agree upon a path or a policy. Should the student and PI, after reasonable civil attempts, be unable to unify in their resolutions on key items, mediation is available through either the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate School Director, the department vice-chair or chair.
Computers: Students are expected to provide their own laptop for use during their graduate career. There are times when a laboratory may provide a laptop for use during graduate work, but this remains the property of Binghamton University and is to be returned to the department at the completion of all graduate work. All necessary computational needs for laboratory equipment are provided. All data files related to the research conducted within SOPPS are owned by Binghamton University and care must be taken to restrict access and limit disclosure as determined by the PI.
Travel on official business: Graduate students are encouraged to participate in regional, national and international scientific conferences. All travel must be approved by the University. Forms are available through the departmental administrator. Limited funding is available from the graduate school and may be available from PI funds. (https://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/cost-aid-funding/financial-support/travel-and-research-funds.html)
Copies and Office Supplies: All materials related to graduate work will be available (including notebooks, pens, etc), and printers/copiers are available for materials related to laboratory work.
Purchasing: All purchasing (scientific and computational) is to be coordinated through the research mentors and/or grant organizers.
Questions?
Contact Yetrib Hathout
Professor and Graduate Director, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
pharmsci@binghamton.edu
Appendix A: Trainings
In-person trainings will be generally be scheduled during the first week of classes, with the following courses also completed as a part of PHSC 518/601:
1) For lab staff working in the Pharmaceutical Sciences labs:
A. Binghamton University Center for Training and Development (UCTD)
i) Lab safety
ii) Binghamton University HazCom/Right to know
iii) Binghamton University Workplace Violence prevention and domestic violence in the workplace
iv) Binghamton University Preventing Discrimination and Harassment for Employees
v) Binghamton University Internal Controls Basics
Instructions for training access: email full name, B number, Binghamton University email address, supervisor, supervisor email, your job title and your start date to comply@binghamton.edu. Look for an email from “UCTD” with a link for the training. It will provide a username/password to logon at http://training.wecomply.com/wc2/login.aspx?id=410
B. CITI training modules
i) Initial Biosafety Training, CITI
ii) OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, CITI
iii) Nanotechnology (if appropriate), CITI
Appendix B: Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Annual Report
Name:
Advisor:
Submission sate:
Synopsis of previous year
Date range:
I. For first-year students only:
a. Rotations completed
i. Mentor/Focus:
ii. Mentor/Focus:
iii. Mentor/Focus:
II. Progress toward degree:
a. Courses completed (attach unofficial transcript)
i. For any grades <C, address remediation plan
ii. Coursework hours completed: ________ out of _________
1. For MS students should be out of 27 + 6 hr research, internship, or electives
2. For PhD students should be out of 42 (including seminars) in first two years
b. Seminar
i. Title:
ii. Date:
iii. Grade:
c. ORP
i. Completed OR Projected on date:
III. Research:
a. Major accomplishments during year in review
b. Plans for next year
IV. Poster and Papers Published
a. Journal articles (complete bibliographic citation)
b. Posters presented
c. Seminars and oral presentations (excluding departmental seminar)
d. Papers submitted
V. Other notable mentions (grants, awards, teaching, service)
Committee Member Synopsis and Feedback to student (to be completed by committee after meeting):
Student progress is (circle one): Satisfactory Not Satisfactory
Student Signature:_____________________________ Date:___________
Advisor Signature:_____________________________ Date:___________
Official* Signature:_____________________________ Date:___________
*Official can be Graduate Program Director, vice chair or chair of department
Appendix C: Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Evaluation Form
Evaluator name:
Presenting student name:
Seminar date:
| Criteria | Quality | Needs Improvement |
Average | Very Good | Exceptional |
| Expertise in the Subject Area |
|||||
| Background information (utility and clarity) |
|||||
| Clarity of results presented |
|||||
| Presentation of conclusions/future directions |
|||||
| Overall organization |
|||||
| Ability to answer questions |
Provide an overall letter grade for the seminar (A, B, etc, including a +/- scale):
What were the slides that were the most clear or exciting? Why?
What were the slides that presented difficulty to the audience (hard to see/read/understand)? Why?
Suggestions to improve future seminar presentations:
Other comments:
Timeline of key events/requirements in the MS program
| Pre-enrollment activities | Date | Completed? |
| Deposit | By April 15 | |
| Fulfill graduate school requirements (health forms, vaccinations, official transcript, etc.) |
||
| Attend PharmSci graduate orientation |
Friday before start of classes |
|
| Year 1 |
Date |
Complete? |
| PHSC 601: Pharmaceutical Sciences I |
Fall |
|
| PHSC 610: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases |
Fall |
|
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series |
Fall |
|
| PHSC 518: Analytical methods and instrumentation I |
Fall |
|
| Application for accelerated MS program |
Nov. 20 |
|
| PHSC 602: Pharmaceutical Sciences II |
Spring |
|
| PHSC 611: Biostatistics |
Spring |
|
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series |
Spring |
|
| PHSC 519: Analytical methods and instrumentation II |
Spring |
|
| Literature seminar (20-30 min) |
Spring |
|
| Internship selection form due |
April 1 (accelerated) or June 1 (standard) |
|
| 3-4 credit elective (must be approved by advisor) |
Spring (accelerated program only) |
|
| PHSC 598MS (research project or internship) |
Summer (accelerated program only) |
|
| Year 2 |
Date |
Complete? |
| 3-4 credit elective (must be approved by advisor) |
Fall |
|
| PHSC 598MS (research project or internship) |
Fall |
|
Timeline of key events / requirements in the PhD program
| Pre-enrollment activities | Date | Completed? |
| Deposit | By April 15 | |
| Sign TA offer letter | By April 15 | |
| Fulfill graduate school requirements (health forms, vaccinations, official transcript, etc.) | ||
| Attend PharmSci graduate orientation | Friday before start of classes | |
| Year 1 | Date | Completed? |
| PHSC 601: Pharmaceutical Sciences I | Fall | |
| PHSC 610: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases | Fall | |
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series | Fall | |
| PHSC 693: Lab rotations | Fall | |
| PHSC 602: Pharmaceutical Sciences II | Spring | |
| PHSC 611: Biostatistics | Spring | |
| PHSC 600: Student Seminar Series | Spring | |
| PHSC 694: Lab placement or additional rotations | Spring | |
| Literature seminar (20-30 min) | Spring | |
| Year 2 | Date | Completed? |
| PharmSci, or approved, elective 1 (e.g. PHRM 680a) | Fall | |
| PharmSci elective 2 (e.g. PHRM 680b) | Fall | |
| PHSC 600: Student seminar series | Fall | |
| PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation Research | Fall | |
| Selection of dissertation committee (form) | December 1 | |
| PharmSci, or approved, elective 3 (E.g. PHRM 680c) | Spring | |
| PHSC 613: Critical Thinking and Communication in Research and Drug Development. | Spring | |
| PHSC 600: Student seminar series | Spring | |
| PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation Research | Spring | |
| Annual self-evaluation sent to committee | 1 week prior to annual commitee meeting | |
| Committee meeting (30 min) – scheduled by student | Spring, by May 10 | |
| Research seminar (20-30 min) | Spring | |
| Abstract for ORP due to committee | July 1 | |
| Year 3 | Date | Completed? |
| PHSC 600: Student seminar series | Fall | |
| PHSC 698: Pre-Dissertation Research (8hr) | Fall | |
| Written Original Research Proposal (ORP) due to committee | Sept. 15 (can be done earlier) | |
| Defense of ORP (oral) | Fall (can be done earlier) | |
| PHSC 600: Student seminar series | Spring | |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation Research (8hr) | Spring | |
| Written prospectus due to committee | Jan. 15 | |
| Oral prospectus presentation | Early spring | |
| Prospectus/evaluation meeting with committee | Within 2 weeks of oral prospectus | |
| Annual self-evaluation sent to committee | 1 week prior to annual committee meeting | |
| Committee meeting (30 min) – May be skipped if committee is in agreement of satisfactory progress based on prospectus. | Spring, by May 10 | |
| Year 4+ | Date | Completed? |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation Research (1hr) | Fall | |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation Research (1hr) | Spring | |
| Research seminar (20-30 min) | Spring | |
| Annual self-evaluation sent to committee | 1 week prior to annual committee meeting | |
| Committee meeting (30 min) – scheduled by student | Spring, by May 10 | |
| Final Year | Date | Completed? |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation Research (1hr) | Fall | |
| PHSC 699: Dissertation Research (1hr) | Spring | |
| Dissertation due to committee | 2 weeks prior to defense | |
| Dissertation defense | Scheduled by student / committee | |
| Graduate application for degree | May 7 | |
| Thesis/Dissertation Electronic submissions | May 21 | |
| Thesis/Dissertation Processing fee | June 4 |
