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Graduate Student Handbook for the Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology

Dr. Hamid Akbarali, Graduate Program Director

Revised May 2014

Homepage: www.vcu.edu/pharmtox

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Title Page

Dr. Hamid Akbarali, Welcome .....................................................................................4

General Information and Locators......................................................5

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)........................................................................................6Course Requirements......................................................................................6-7Ph.D. Graduate Advisory Committee.................................................................9

Ph.D. and Combined M.D./Ph.D. Programs ………………… ……………….10 Combined M.D./Ph.D...................................................................................... 10

General Degree Requirements and Application Procedures.........................................10Course Requirements.......................................................................................10Evaluation of Student Performance..................................................................12Advisor and Graduate Advisory Committee.....................................................13Comprehensive Examination...........................................................................14Graduation Applications..................................................................................17Dissertation Defense........................................................................................17Financial Aid and General Finances.................................................................18

Master of Science (M.S.)............................................................................................. 19Course Requirements.......................................................................................19Graduation Applications..................................................................................21Thesis Defense................................................................................................. 21Part-time Students............................................................................................ 22Continuing for the Ph.D...................................................................................23Financial Aid................................................................................................... 23

Student Organizations and Activities...........................................................................25

Student Awards........................................................................................................... 27

School of Medicine – WEAVE ...................................................................................31 Mission/Goals, Learning Objectives and MeasuresCurriculum Map – PhD and MS..................................................................................35Appendix..................................................................................................................... 37

PTSO Bylaws.................................................................................................. 38

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Welcome to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

The mission of the department is to improve the treatment of medical disorders through a better understanding of the pharmacology of agents and their mechanisms of action with the purpose of developing safer and more effective pharmacological therapies to enhance human health. The department is committed to excellence in research, teaching and service in the area of pharmacology and toxicology, and in the training of graduate students to become independent, highly regarded scientists and expert teachers in pharmacology. The Department offers a PhD and MS in Pharmacology and Toxicology. The PhD program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in research and teaching in the area of Pharmacology at academic, industrial, private and government institutions in the USA and worldwide. The MS Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology prepares students to enter careers in industry or government or to pursue admission to other professional schools.

By deciding on a career in biological sciences in general and in pharmacology and toxicology in particular, you have just made one of the most important decisions in your life. If you want to learn what is already known about how drugs act and want to discover what is not yet known about them, this is the place for you. If you are willing to work hard and put in long hours, yet don’t mind having a good time doing it, you will not be disappointed. Research is hard work and fun at the same time, and you need to have both to be successful. In the beginning of your studies here, you will take courses to acquire a certain knowledge base without which you cannot achieve your goals as a scientist. As times goes by, we will tell you less and less what you need to learn, you have to learn to define that for yourself. As a scientist on a quest for the unknown, you will have to learn how to ask important questions, and find the necessary information to be able to answer these questions. We will be your mentors, partners and, hopefully, your life-long friends in this endeavor. As faculty, we will try to teach you everything we know about pharmacology, in the hope that you will end up knowing more than we do. Welcome to the Department!

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GENERAL INFORMATION AND LOCATORS

The Department Chair's office is located in the McGuire Hall Room 100. The office of the Graduate Program is McGuire Hall 100.

Student and faculty mailboxes are located on the 7th floor of Smith across from room 705. A mailbox will be labeled for each new student at the beginning of your first semester.

CONTACT PEOPLE E-mail Address

Pharmacology/Toxicology Chairman wdewey@vcu.eduDr. William L. Dewey,Ruth and Louis Harris Professor and Chair,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,McGuire Hall, Room 100804 827-0375

Dr. Hamid I Akbarali, hiakbarali@vcu.eduDirector,Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training McGuire Hall, Room 100E 746 828-7918

Sheryol Cox, Graduate Program Administrator swcox@vcu.eduMcGuire Hall, Room 100828-8400

Brenda Caine, Business Manager bcaine@vcu.eduBusiness Office - Room 745 Smith Building, 828-8404

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D) CURRICULUM

Mission / PurposeThe graduate program leading to a Ph.D. degree in the department of Pharmacology and Toxicology has as a mission to prepare individuals for a variety of career objectives in biomedical science. These objectives include training students for careers such as research faculty, teaching faculty, industrial scientists, and scientists in government regulatory agencies (but other related careers are not excluded). The program incorporates formal instructional activity and research training mentored by members of the faculty. The Ph.D. program is distinguished from the M.S. offered by the department in that the Ph.D. student is being prepared for a career as an independent investigator.GOALS for PhD program The program is designed to provide students with the skills required to advance to positions as bioscience researchers/trainers in a broad spectrum of positions. The structure of the program provides a framework for the progressive development of a mastery of the current state of the subject matter of pharmacology and related sciences, an ability to synthesize this information and apply this foundation to the identification of key areas of investigation/experimentation. The program relates the above framework to the development of the ability to design, implement and interpret experimental approaches which address the questions identified. In addition, program will develop skills in the various means of communicating both the core of bioscience knowledge and the expression of experimental design, results and interpretation to a variety of potential audiences.

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology

Graduate Ph.D. students in Pharmacology and Toxicology rarely take courses designed for students in the professional schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Nurse Anesthesiology, Industrial Hygiene or Allied Health Science) and are not allowed to apply Pharmacology (PHTX) courses designed for these students toward their graduate degrees. A full-time course load is 15 credits in the fall and spring semesters and six credits in the

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summer. The student must achieve a 3.0 GPA overall or higher in graduate courses and at least a 3.0 GPA in Pharmacology and Toxicology courses to graduate.

The following graduate courses are required (with asterisk are highly recommended) before the comprehensive examination can be taken:

IBMS 600 1 credits Laboratory SafetyIBMS 610 .5 credits Laboratory OpportunitiesIBMS 620 2 credits Laboratory RotationsPHTX 691 3 credits Basic Concepts in PharmacologyPHTX 536 5 credits Principles of PharmacologyPHTX 690 1 credit Pharmacology Research SeminarPHTX 697 Var. credit Directed Research in Pharmacology*MICR 504 5 credits Biochem. Molecular Cell Biol.*BIOC 530 5 credits Biochem, Cell & Molecular Biology (modular)

Consult with Program Director/advisor for appropriate courses. An additional two advanced graduate courses must also be taken prior to eligibility for the comprehensive examination. One of the advanced courses must be a pharmacology course chosen from the following list. The second advanced course may also be selected from this list or may be an advanced course in another department (e.g. Molecular Genetics, BIOC/MICR 605 or Immunobiology, MICR 504), as deemed appropriate by the student's advisory committee.

PHTX 614 3 credits Foundations in PsychoneuroimmunologyPHTX 620 3 credits Ion ChannelsIBMS 635 3 credits Cellular SignalingPHTX 632 3 credits Neurochemical PharmacologyPHTX 633 3 credits Behavioral PharmacologyPHTX 638 3 credits Cellular Mechanisms of ToxicologyPHTX 644 3 credits Forensic ToxicologyNEUS 609 3 credits Cell & Molecular Neuroscience

Advanced courses in other disciplines may include, but are not limited to:

ANAT 610 4 credits NeuroanatomyBIOC 601 3 credits Membranes and Lipids

BIOC 602 3 credits Physical Properties of MacromoleculesBIOC 605 3 credits Molecular BiologyEGRB 603 3 credits Biomedical Signal ProcessingEGRB 610 3 credits Microprocessor Interfacing for Biochemical

InstrumentationCHEM 504 3 credits Organic ChemistryCHEM 512 3 credits Physical ChemistryMICR 506 3 credits Immunobiology

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MICR 653 3 credits Advanced Molecular GeneticsMEDC 601 3 credits Advanced Medicinal ChemistryMEDC 630 3 credits Theoretical Methods in Drug DesignMEDC 641 3 credits Survey of Molecular Modeling MethodsPHIS 501 5 credits Mammalian Physiology

A typical course plan for the full-time Ph.D. student is described below. The first year students will follow a program set by the Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Portal in consultation with their counsellor.

Fall – Year 1CRN SUBJ COURSE SECTIO

NCREDIT

SMod 1: Protein Structure & Fun 29099 BIOC 530 001 2Mod 2: Basic Metabolism 29100 BIOC 531 001 1Mod 3: Central Dogma of Molec 29101 BIOC 532 001 1Mod 4: Lipids/Membranes & Bio 29102 BIOC 533 001 1Laboratory Safety 28012 IBMS 600 001 1Laboratory Opportunities 28013 IBMS 610 001 .5Laboratory Rotations 28016 IBMS 620 001 2Classical & Near Class Paper 30851 HGEN 692 001 1Research Seminar 25450 IBMS/

PHTX690 001 1

Spring – Year 1CRN SUBJ COURSE SECTIO

NCREDIT

SResearch Seminar 26087 IBMS/

PHTX690 001 1

Laboratory Rotations 27748 IBMS 620 003 2Biochem, Cell & Mol Biology 14002 MICR 504 001 5Spec Top: Critical Thinking 26680 BIOC 691 003 1Spec Top: Critical Thinking 26680 BIOC 691 004* 1Basic Concepts in Pharmacology

28523 PHTX 691 001 3

Cellular Signaling 30991 IBMS 635 001 3

Summer – Year 1 (Students choose lab mentors)Directed Research in Pharmacology (variable credits)

Fall – Second YearCRN SUBJ COURSE SECTION CREDITS

Principles of Pharmacology 29909 PHTX 536 001 5Scientific Integrity 27854 OVPR 601 001 1

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Pharmacology Research Seminar 14976 PHTX 690 001 1Directed Research 14998 PHTX 697 819 Var

PHTX 633 - Behavioral Pharmacology (alternate years) 3 credits

Summer - PHTX 697 – 3-6 credits

SPRING YEAR 2Advanced Electives 3 Credits (if desired)PHTX 690 1 CreditPHTX 697 Variable Credits

SUMMER YEAR 2

PHTX 697 3 to 6 credits

*Note: Students normally take the comprehensive exam in May/June of their second year although some may be eligible to take the comprehensive exam as early as January of their second year.

In the third and subsequent years, the majority of the course load is PHTX 697 Directed Research in Pharmacology. Advanced electives may also be taken, as desired. Students also participate in PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar each year until they graduate. The average time to complete the Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology at VCU is between four and five years.

PH.D. GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The initial advisor (during your first year) will be Dr. Akbarali. Upon completion of the Research Rotation course at the end of the first year, the student must select an advisor (mentor). The department has guidelines related to the selection of an advisor. In agreeing to accept a student into his/her lab, a faculty member is agreeing to assume complete or partial fiscal responsibility for that student.

After selecting an advisor, full-time students immediately begin to carry out supervised research, typically in the laboratory of their advisor. It is expected that a tentative dissertation project will have been chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor by the beginning of the fall semester of their second year. In conjunction with the selection of an advisor, the student will select a Graduate Advisory Committee. The Graduate Advisory Committee must consist of 5 members with at least 2 members outside of the department. The Graduate Advisory Committee functions to assist the student in determining their course

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plan, help in the finalization of a dissertation project, eventually, approve the dissertation and conduct the final examination.

Six (6) months prior to taking the comprehensive exams, a Graduate Student Advisory Committee must be entered into GradTrak.

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COMBINED M.D. AND PH.D CURRICULUM

The main objective of the M.D./Ph.D. combined degree program is to provide in-depth research training of high quality for physicians wishing to pursue careers in academic medicine. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at VCU offers a graduate program leading to the doctorate degree as part of this combined degree program. This is a rigorous, research-oriented degree program comprised of graduate course work and supervised research culminating in a Ph.D. dissertation. The M.D./Ph.D. candidate must fulfill the same degree requirements as the Ph.D. candidate. However, several of these requirements may be met via the medical curriculum. M.D./Ph.D. candidates typically take the first two years of the medical curriculum. The two semester pharmacology courses (PHTX 691 and 536) will also be waived providing that the student is at the top half of their class. M.D./Ph.D. candidates will become full-time graduate students at the beginning of the third year of the combined degree program and will begin to receive departmental support at that time. After completing and defending their dissertation, the M.D./Ph.D. candidate will complete the clinical year (MIII) so that the graduates will be better able to perform as interns and residents.

GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The M.D./Ph.D. candidate must be accepted by both the Medical School and by the Combined Degree Program Committee. The latter acceptance will be recognized by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The application of a candidate, who expresses an interest in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, will also need to be reviewed by the Departmental Admissions Committee. Because the Director of the Graduate Program is also a member of the Combined Degree Program Committee, it is anticipated that the review by the Department can coincide with the review by the aforementioned Committee.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The following graduate courses are required before the comprehensive examination can be taken:

*BIOC 503 5 credits Biochem. Cell. and Molec. Biol. I*MICR 504 5 credits Biochem. Cell. and Molec. Biol. II*PHTX 536 5 credits Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology*PHTX 691 3 credits Basic Concepts of Pharmacology PHTX 690 1 credit Pharmacology Research Seminar PHTX 697 Var. credit Directed Research in Pharmacology

*These courses will be waived for the M.D./Ph.D. student who is in the top half of their medical school class. Two advanced graduate courses are required to be taken prior to eligibility for the qualifying examination. One of the advanced courses must be a pharmacology course chosen from the following list.

Advanced Courses in Pharmacology/Toxicology, may include, but are not limited to:

PHTX 620 3 credits Ion Channels

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IBMS 635 3 credits Cell SignalingPHTX 632 3 credits Neurochemical PharmacologyPHTX 633 3 credits Behavioral PharmacologyPHTX 637 3 credits Cellular PharmacologyPHTX 638 3 credits Cellular Mechanisms of ToxicologyPHTX 646 3 credits Forensic ToxicologyPHTX 509 3 credits Survey of Neuroscience

A typical timetable for the Combined M.D/Ph.D. student is described below.

SUMMER BEFORE MI

PHTX 697 - 2 rotations - 6 credits

FALL YEAR 1 SPRING YEAR 1

MI MI

SUMMER YEAR 1

PHTX 697 - 2 rotations- 6 credits

* The M.D./Ph.D. candidate should be able to pick an advisor during the Fall Year

FALL YEAR 2 SPRING YEAR 2

MII MII

SUMMER YEAR 2

PHTX 697 - 6 credits

* The M.D./Ph.D. candidate should select the members of the Graduate Advisory Committee and submit a Plan of Study prior to Fall Year 3. The School of Medicine requires that the Plan of Study be on file with the Dean’s Office six months prior to taking the qualifying examinations.

FALL YEAR 3 SPRING YEAR 3(Full-time Graduate Student)PHTX 690 1 credit PHTX 690 1 creditPHTX 697 Var. credits PHTX 697 Var. creditsAdvanced Course 3 credits Advanced Course 3 credits

* The M.D./Ph.D. candidate should be eligible to take the comprehensive examinations in June of Year 3.

SUMMER YEAR 3

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PHTX 697 - 6 credits

FALL YEAR 4 SPRING YEAR 4

PHTX 697 Var. credits PHTX 697 Var. creditsPHTX 690 1 credit PHTX 690 1 credit

SUMMER YEAR 4

PHTX 697 - 6 credits

FALL YEAR 5 SPRING YEAR 5

PHTX 697 Var. credits PHTX 697 Var. creditsPHTX 690 1 credit PHTX 690 1 credit

SUMMER YEAR 5

PHTX 697 - 6 Credits

* It is anticipated that the M.D/Ph.D. candidate will typically defend their dissertation prior to Fall Year 6 and rejoin their medical curriculum. Students must complete and submit their dissertation before returning to medical school.

FALL YEAR 6 SPRING YEAR 6

MIII MIII

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

All full-time Ph.D. candidates are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Grades of C or lower are unsatisfactory performance for Ph.D. candidates. Students receiving over 6 credits of C will be reviewed for possible dismissal from the graduate program. Students receiving any grade of D or F in a graduate course will be dropped from the program, although they may be readmitted upon a favorable recommendation of the faculty and the VCU Graduate Committee. The entire faculty evaluates the progress of all Ph.D. students annually and the results are communicated to the students in writing.

ADVISOR AND GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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Since PhD students enter the Department through the Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Portal system, the initial advisor may be the Director of the Graduate Program of any Basic Science Department. Before beginning the Fall of Year 2, upon completion of the Research Rotation Course, the student must select an advisor. Beginning in the Summer of Year 2, candidates will begin to carry out supervised research, typically in the laboratory of their advisor. It is anticipated that a tentative dissertation project will have been chosen prior to the beginning of the Fall of Year 3. The Graduate Advisory Committee must consist of 5 members with at least 2 members from outside of the department. The Graduate Advisory Committee functions to assist the student in determining their course plan, help in the finalization of a dissertation project, eventually, approve the dissertation and conduct the final examination.

Six (6) months prior to taking written preliminary exams, a Graduate Student Advisory Committee needs to be in place.

Students are required to meet with their Graduate Advisory Committee at least twice a year. A written report has to be submitted to the Graduate Program Director at the conclusion of the meeting with a copy provided to both the student and the advisor. Forms for electronic submission are available on the intranet PHTX website.

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COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION POLICY

I. Scheduling of the Examination

Before admission to candidacy for the doctorate, students

must successfully complete the written exam (Part I) plus an oral comprehensive exam (Part II). Students are qualified to take the comprehensive exams following successful completion of required courses, while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of at least 3.0 in departmental courses. Students are recommended to take their comprehensive exams immediately upon completion of their second year and in time to submit proposals for extramural funding (e.g. NIH F31).

II. Structure and Administration of the Examination

A. The student will submit a written research proposal covering the topic of their research dissertation to their graduate advisory committee and to the director of the Graduate Program before scheduling the oral examination.  The research proposal must be typed and is limited to 6 single-spaced pages with a font size no smaller than 11 points and a one-half inch margin on all sides.  The research proposal is designed to help the student focus on a research project, review the relevant literature in that area, and to learn how to design experiments to test specific hypotheses related to their work.  Although preliminary data can be included, this is optional and does not count against the page limit.  The major point of the research proposal is to evaluate the student’s ability to critically evaluate a research problem.

The research proposal should contain the following sections with suggested page allotments noted in parentheses.  Note that an extensive review of the literature is expected and the list of cited references is not counted against the page total:

1.       Title page-include title, student’s name, advisor’s name and date submitted

2.        Abstract (0.5-1 page) – does not count against page limit

3.        Hypothesis and Specific Aims (1 page) (does not count against page limit)

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4.        Background and Significance (1- 2 pages)

5.         Preliminary Data (optional; 2- 2.5 pages; does not count against the page limit)

6.         Experimental Approach and Methods (3 pages)

7.         Literature Cited (no page limit)

It is highly recommended that the written component follow NIH guidelines for a F31 to allow students to receive feedback as well as formulate a better proposal for the final submission to NIH.

Grading Policy

The student's graduate advisory committee will evaluate the proposal and, within two weeks of its submission (usually at the time of the oral exam) vote as to whether or not they find the document acceptable.  The student passes if there is no more than one dissenting vote.   If two or more committee members vote to disapprove the proposal, it is returned to the student who will have an additional two weeks to submit the revised proposal.  The student passes when there is no more than one vote to disapprove the submitted proposal. 

Each student is expected to prepare for the exam and the student’s mentor is expected to excuse the student from major research obligations for a period not to exceed one month in order to allow the student to prepare for the written exam.

Students are encouraged to seek guidance from the mentor towards preparation of the written document. This can be in the form of devising the specific aims and aspects of the experimental design. However, the document has to written and proofed by the student without input from the advisor.

B. ORAL EXAM

The Oral Comprehensive Examination must be conducted within two –four weeks of delivering the written component. After successful completion of the written research proposal, the student can schedule the Oral Comprehensive Examination through the Graduate School Office. Exam scheduling needs to be done through GradTrak with at least two week notice so that the Deans Office can appoint a representative.

The Oral Examination of the student will be conducted by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee and an appointed Dean's representative. In addition to the Graduate Advisory Committee and Dean’s representative, other interested faculty members may attend the examination, and may ask questions, where appropriate. The first round of questioning of the student will focus on the written research proposal. A second round of questions will be comprehensive in nature and may

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deal with any scientific issue. The oral examination is meant to comprehensively test the students’ basic understanding of pharmacological principles.

Grading Policy for Oral ExaminationAt the conclusion of the oral exam, the student's graduate advisory committee and the Dean’s Representative will discuss the student's performance and vote on whether the student passes or fails this part of the exam. A failing grade will be assigned if two or more votes to fail the student are cast.

In the event that a student fails the oral examination, the School of Medicine policy will be followed - (see http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/gp/procedures.html, page 20, last two paragraphs).

“Should the student fail the oral comprehensive examination, the examination may be retaken only on approval by the MCV Campus Graduate Committee. The request for such approval is brought to the MCV Campus Graduate Committee by the Graduate Program Director. The Faculty Advisor is responsible for consulting with the Advisory Committee (and the department as appropriate) to determine if the request for approval is appropriate and communicating the request to the Graduate Program Director. The Graduate Program Director is responsible for informing the Office of Graduate Education of the intent to seek the approval of the MCV Campus Graduate Committee. The Committee renders a decision on such a request in the course of its regularly scheduled meetings”.

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GRADUATION APPLICATIONS

Graduate Applications can be filed online through GradTrak. If you are graduating in December, you will need to file your graduation application by October and if you are graduation in May, you will need to file your application by the end of January.

DISSERTATION DEFENSE

The student must conduct a substantial original investigation under the supervision of the advisor and prepare a dissertation reporting the results of this research. Forms and guidelines for the dissertation, The VCU School of Graduate Studies Thesis and Dissertation Manual can be acquired from the Office of Graduate Education (Sanger 1-058). The announcement for Notice of Final Defense Examination and a copy of the completed dissertation must be returned to the Office of Graduate Education at least ten working days in advance of defense and must be signed by each Graduate Advisory Committee member and the Program Director (Note: Be sure to note state holidays, for they are not counted as working days !).

When the dissertation has been completed, copies are submitted to the members of the advisory committee (Note: A good time to acquire their signature on the Notice of Final Defense Examination form!). The student's Graduate Advisory Committee decides upon the acceptability of the candidate's dissertation. The committee unanimously accepts the dissertation for defense, the candidate appears before them for a final oral examination.

All students are required to present a final departmental seminar prior to the oral dissertation defense. It is highly recommended that the student consult with the Faculty Director of the Pharmacology Seminar Series (Dr Bettinger) and Ms Sheryol Cox, Graduate Program Coordinator, to schedule the defense seminar in the allotted times and dates for the regularly scheduled student seminars.

The student’s Graduate Advisory Committee must be present at the final dissertation defense. Any other departmental faculty may also attend the final dissertation defense. Be sure to take two copies of the signature form which needs to be signed by each member of the Graduate Advisory Committee upon successful completion of the dissertation defense . Following the oral dissertation defense, the Graduate Advisory Committee will vote on passage or failure of the examination. A favorable vote, with not more than one negative vote, is required to pass this examination.

Following successful completion of the oral dissertation examination, the student has 10 working days or the pre-approved deadline to make corrections and suggested changes and return copies of the dissertation to the Office of Graduate Education (Sanger 1-058) for Dean’s signature. Be sure to have the chairperson of the Pharmacology/Toxicology department sign the signature sheet before delivering copies to the Office of Graduate Education. When you are ready to take the signature sheets and completed dissertation to the Office of Graduate Education, take the University Library Service sheet outlining the fees required (which you will receive from the Office of Graduate Education) to the Business Office to receive a requisition number.

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FINANCIAL AID AND GENERAL FINANCES

The department of Pharmacology/Toxicology has several different means of support for Ph.D. students including training grants. Graduate stipends pay for tuition, fees and "living expenses". Most PhD students entering through the BSDP are paid by the university in your first two years and will receive paychecks on the 1st and 16th of each month. However, after your first two years in the program some students may be paid from a training grant. Training grant stipends are quite different from most forms of payment in that you are paid in "lump" sums at various times throughout the year. The usual schedule of training grant payments are September 1 (covers September through the end of December), January 1 (covers January through end of May), June 1 (covers June only) and July 1 (covers July through the end of August). No taxes are deducted when paid from a training grant, therefore, you must file estimated taxes for the State (Form 760) and Federal (1040 ES) taxes. If you are confused about income tax payments or about the amount of your checks, talk to Ms. Brenda Caine in the business office. Graduate students will usually receive a stipend plus tuition and fees as long as their progress is satisfactory and funds are available. The stipend increases after the student successfully completes the comprehensive examination.

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MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) CURRICULUM

Mission / PurposeThe graduate program leading to a M.S. degree in the department of Pharmacology and Toxicology has as a mission to prepare individuals for a variety of career objectives in biomedical science. These objectives include training students for careers such as industrial scientists and scientists in government regulatory agencies (but other related careers are not excluded). The program incorporates formal instructional activity and research training mentored by members of the faculty. The M.S. program is distinguished from the Ph.D. degree offered by the department in that the M.S. student is not being prepared for a career as an independent investigator.Goal of MS The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers a graduate program leading to the M.S. degree. This is a research-oriented degree program comprised of graduate course work and supervised research leading to a Master’s thesis. The M.S. program will be of interest to individuals planning on technical positions in pharmacology or toxicology research or testing, students interested in the health professions such as medicine or dentistry who desire additional research training and for those interested in a government position, such as with regulatory agencies, who seek training in pharmacology and toxicology.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The following graduate courses are typical for the M.S. degree:

IBMS 600 1 credit Laboratory SafetyIBMS 691-904 1 credit Critical Thinking*BIOC 503 5 credits Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular BiologyPHTX 691 3 credits Basic Concepts in PharmacologyPHTX 536 5 credits Principles of PharmacologyPHTX 690 1 credit Pharmacology Research SeminarPHTX 697 Var. Directed Research in Pharmacology

*recommended.

**M.S. students are required to give a seminar.

Plus one advanced graduate course in the student’s specialty.

Advanced Courses in Pharmacology/Toxicology:

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NEUS 609 4 credits Cell and Molecular NeuroscienceIBMS 635 5 credits Cell Signaling PHTX 620 3 credits Ion ChannelsPHTX 632 3 credits Neurochemical PharmacologyPHTX 633 3 credits Behavioral PharmacologyPHTX 638 3 credits Cellular Mechanisms of ToxicologyPHTX 644 3 credits Forensic Toxicology

Advanced courses in other disciplines may include, but are not limited to:

ANAT 610 5 credits NeuroanatomyBIOC 601 3 credits Membranes and LipidsBIOC 602 3 credits Physical Properties of MacromoleculesBIOC 605 3 credits Molecular BiologyEGRB 603 3 credits Biomedical Signal ProcessingEGRB 610 3 credits Microprocessor Interfacing for Biochemical InstrumenCHEM 504 3 credits Advanced Organic Chemistry 1CHEM 512 3 credits Physical ChemistryMICR 505 3 credits ImmunobiologyMICR 653 3 credits Advanced Molecular Genetics BioinformaticsMEDC 601 3 credits Advanced Medicinal Chemistry 1MEDC 630 3 credits Theoretical Methods in Drug DesignMEDC 641 3 credits Survey of Molecular Modeling MethodsPHIS 501 5 credits Mammalian Physiology

A typical course plan for the full-time first year M.S. student is described below.

Fall Year 1CRN SUBJ COURSE SECTION CREDITS

Mod 1: Protein Structure & Fun 29099 BIOC 530 001 2Mod 2: Basic Metabolism 29100 BIOC 531 001 1Mod 3: Central Dogma of Molec 29101 BIOC 532 001 1Mod 4: Lipids/Membranes & Bio 29102 BIOC 533 001 1Laboratory Safety 28012 IBMS 600 001 1Responsible Conduct of Research (alternative) 27849 OVPR 603 001 1Pharmacology Research Seminar 14976 PHTX 690 001 1Directed Research in Pharmacology 14998 PHTX 697 819 varGraduate Physiology (as suggested by advisor)

Spring Year 1CRN SUBJ COURSE SECTION CREDITS

Basic Concepts for Grad Students 28523 PHTX 691 001 3Pharmacology Research Seminar 14861 PHTX 690 001 1Directed Research in Pharmacology 14883 PHTX 697 818 var

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Biochem, Cell & Mol Biology 14002 MICR 504 001 5Elective*

Summer Year 1Directed Research 11957 PHTX 697 819 3 to 6

A typical course plan for the full-time second year M.S. student is described below.

CRN SUBJ COURSE SECTION CREDITSScientific Integrity 27854 OVPR 601 001 1Pharmacology Research Seminar 14976 PHTX 690 001 1Directed Research 14998 PHTX 697 819 varPrinciples of Pharmacology 29909 PHTX 536 001 5

With respect to departmental and university regulations, it is not necessary for a MS student to be registered full-time in every semester. This allows students the flexibility to complete their degree requirements while working full or part-time. Note that some international students are required to register full-time to protect their student visa status. The student must achieve a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.0 GPA in Pharmacology and Toxicology courses to graduate.

Students are encouraged to choose an advisor as quickly as possible. Full-time students will begin immediately to carry out supervised research, typically in the laboratory of their advisor. By the end of the first semester it is expected that a tentative thesis project will have been chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor. Before the beginning of the second semester, the student will select a Graduate Advisory Committee. The Graduate Advisory Committee for the M.S: your committee should consist of at least two faculty members from inside this Department (i.e., that would include your advisor) and one faculty member from outside of this department. The Graduate Advisory Committee functions to assist the student in determining their course plan, help in the finalization of a thesis project, eventually, approve the thesis and conduct the final examination.

GRADUATION APPLICATIONS

To qualify for graduation, you will need to complete your graduation application form on eServices, and turn it in to the Dean’s office, with signatures (Sanger 1-023). If you are graduating in December, you will need to file your graduation application by the middle of September. If you are graduating in May, you will need to file your application by the end of January.

(NOTE: There will be no notice sent in reference to graduation, it is the student’s responsibility to file according to posted deadlines!)

THESIS DEFENSE

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The student must conduct a substantial original investigation under the supervision of the advisor and prepare a thesis reporting the results of this research. Forms and guidelines for the thesis can be found in The VCU School of Graduate Studies Thesis and Dissertation Manual on line at http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/gp/procedures.html or it can be acquired from The Office of Graduate Education (Sanger 1-023). The announcement for Notice of Final Defense Examination and a copy of the completed thesis must be returned to The Office of Graduate Education at least ten working days in advance of defense and must be signed by each Graduate Advisory Committee member and the Program Director (Note: Be sure to note state holidays, for they are not counted as working days!).

When the thesis has been completed, copies are submitted to the members of the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee (Note: A good time to acquire their signature on the Notice of Final Defense Examination form!). The student's Graduate Advisory Committee decides upon the acceptability of the candidate's thesis. If the committee unanimously accepts the thesis for defense, the candidate appears before them for a final oral examination.

A departmental seminar prior to the oral thesis defense is a requirement for completion of the thesis. The date, time and scheduling of defense room should be requested from Ms Sheryol Cox, McGuire Hall 100 and the faculty in charge of Research Seminars (Dr. Bettinger).

The entire student’s Graduate Advisory Committee must be present at the final thesis defense. Any other departmental faculty may also attend the final thesis defense. Be sure to take two copies of the signature form to the thesis defense. These forms need to be signed by each member of the Graduate Advisory Committee upon successful completion of the thesis defense. Following the oral thesis defense, the Graduate Advisory Committee will vote on whether you pass or fail the examination. A favorable vote, with not more than one negative vote, is required to pass this examination.

Following successful completion of the oral thesis examination, the student has 10 working days or the pre-approved deadline to make corrections and suggested changes and return copies of the thesis to the Office of Graduate Education (Sanger 1-023) for Dean signatures. Be sure to have the chairperson of the Pharmacology/Toxicology department sign the signature sheet before delivering copies to the Office of Graduate Education . When you are ready to take the signature sheets and completed thesis to the Office of Graduate Education, take the University Library Service sheet outlining the fees to the departmental Business Office to receive a requisition number.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

It is possible to complete a portion of the M.S. program as a part-time student. This would be particularly appropriate for students who are employed or who are concurrently pursuing another degree. The most likely way this could be done is to take some of the required course work as a part-time student; however, it would normally be expected that at least a year of full-time laboratory work would be required to complete the thesis project.

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CONTINUING FOR THE Ph.D.

M.S. students interested in our Ph.D. program must apply to the Ph.D. program. Completion of the M.S. degree does not ensure acceptance. On the other hand, applicants who are unsure if they want to earn a Ph.D. and desire some experience in biomedical research before committing to a doctoral program may well be served by our M.S. program. Outstanding performance in our M.S. program should help the student gain admittance to a doctoral program here or elsewhere. M.S. students seeking to go on to medical or dental school are encouraged to complete their M.S. degree before enrolling in these programs. M.S. students at VCU seeking admittance to medical school at VCU will not be enrolled until they complete the Master’s degree.

FINANCIAL AID

Students in the M.S. program do not receive financial aid through the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. It is possible that students working on their thesis project may be employed as a research assistant on their advisor’s research grant. In addition, various forms of financial aid are available for graduate students through the University Services/Financial Aid Office. A form to request financial aid through that mechanism is included in the application package.

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STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

In addition to research, there are many organizations and activities in which to be involved. The following organizations are the most active on the VCU campus.

PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY STUDENT ORGANIZATION (PTSO)

The PTSO is governed by the students in the Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology. In addition to welcoming and orienting new students in the program, they serve as a liaison between the students and the faculty of the department. They also organize and coordinate educational and social events to foster departmental interaction. The PTSO is open to any student (M.S., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D) and postdoctoral graduate fellows in the department.

COMMITTEE FOR ANIMALS AND ANIMAL RESEARCH (CFAAR)

Faculty Advisor: Aron Lichtman

CFAAR is a "grass roots" organization with chapters throughout the country comprised of research faculty and graduate students. The goals are to educate the public about the importance of animal research and provide a mechanism that can rapidly mobilize researchers when subjected to protests, harassment or sabotage by animal rights extremist. Our VCU chapter sponsors elementary and high school visits and actual animal demonstrations to attempt to educate them of the importance of animal research.

HONOR COUNCIL

The Honor System on the VCU campus is a student run organization whose goal is to uphold academic integrity; to ensure that those who cheat, plagiarize, facilitate academic dishonesty, abuse academic materials, steal or lie are punished or removed from the university according to due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. As an elected member of the PTSO, the Honor Council representative allows our department to have a voice in the new policies being made and activities planned during Honor Council meetings. This is especially important since graduate students are in the minority compared to dental, medical and pharmacy students. The Honor Council representative should be publicly known within the department and available so that people can ask questions, voice an opinion or suggestion about current policy or come to them as an accuser or accused for advice and guidance.

The Honor System is implemented with a report from anyone (faculty, students or staff) identifying suspicious behavior to the Honor Council representative. The Honor council

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representative then confronts the accused while maintaining the anonymity of the accuser. If the accused refuses to explain the conduct in question or if the explanation does not satisfy the accuser, then the accuser must decide whether they are willing to forsake anonymity in order to pursue the case further. If the case does continue, then the Honor Council representative reports to the chairman of the Honor Council within 24 hours and the accused is notified in writing of the charges and the name of the Student Body Prosecutor. The accused can choose to defend himself/herself or their Honor Council representative or a court appointed defense. All the participants in the court proceedings are expected to maintain confidentiality about the entire case. Students are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Their names are held confidential at all times. A jury of 7 students, one of whom is from the school of the accused, will render a verdict based on testimonies of witnesses and evidence presented by the prosecution and defense. The same jury will also decide the penalty if the accused is found guilty. Penalties can range from receiving an F on the assignment or in the class to being suspended or expelled from the university.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The objectives of the SGA are twofold: 1. Promote student activities and 2. Collectively represent VCU students' interest within the university and campus-wide issues. The SGA is composed of elected representatives from each school and/or department on the medical campus. Although anyone may be elected to serve as an SGA officer (president, vice president-social, vice president-student life, secretary, treasurer or yearbook editor), only current SGA representatives can vote. SGA representatives may serve on university-wide committees, including the Executive Budget Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, Parking Committee, etc. Recently the SGA has been pro-actively involved in several student life issues including: student loan subsidies, new equipment for the VCU gym and improved student parking. The SGA is responsible for a budget of over $70,000, which is generated from the $28 fee paid by all full-time students. Social events account for the majority of expenditures and the yearbook is also included, which is free to all students. Several social events are held each semester, including happy hours, Halloween party, and a formal in February. Alcohol is usually provided at no or nominal charge. The SGA meets monthly, usually on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Larrick Center. All students are invited to attend and free pizza and soda are provided.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Departmental seminars are held on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. and are mandatory for all graduate students in our department. Students usually have lunch with the more prominent speakers who are invited to present seminars to ask questions regarding their research, background, experiences, etc. The seminar topics comprise a wide variety of topics in Pharmacology and Toxicology.

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STUDENT AWARDS

ANTHONY AMBROSE AWARD

The Anthony Ambrose Award for the best mid-career graduate student is an annual award made possible by a generous gift to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology by Mrs. Ambrose to honor her husband, Dr. Anthony Ambrose, a long time faculty member who brought to this department a wealth of information gained from a lifetime of pharmacological and toxicological investigations.

Eligibility:

All students who have successfully completed their written and oral comprehensive exams in the preceding year (usually from the beginning of the Summer semester) are eligible for this award. Students can be nominated for the award only once.

Nominations:

Eligible students are identified by the Program Director and requested to send their resume according to the template provided by the Director. Students in our program are only eligible for the Anthony Ambrose Award one time. A letter from the students advisor will be requested by the Program Director and information compiled for all students in a booklet sent to all faculty in the Department. The final voting is electronic by all faculty and tallied by the Graduate Office. Winners are usually announced at the Departmental Award Ceremony.

Information Included on Ballots:

- GPA- Meeting where seminar or results were presented- Manuscripts accepted for publication- Special Awards- Service (i.e., officer in PTSO, student representative on Tenure Promotion

Committee, etc.)- Advisor's Comments

Cash Award:

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First Place - $1,000 and a plaque

The names of the Ambrose Award winners are also placed on a plaque in the Graduate Office.

LAUREN WOODS AWARD

The Lauren A. Woods award for graduate students is an annual award made possible by a generous gift to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology by Dr. and Mrs. Lauren A. Woods to honor research excellence among doctoral students in the department. Dr. Woods was a distinguished pharmacologist who served for many years as Vice President for Health Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Eligibility:

Eligibility is defined as, any student who has defended his/her thesis (beginning from the Summer semester) of that year.

Nominations:

Faculty advisors and eligible students are informed by the Program Director of their eligibility. Students are requested to send a resume according to a template and advisors are requested for a nomination letter. The Graduate Office compiles the information in a booklet and submits to the faculty for voting. Two awards are made each year and winners announced at the Departmental Award Ceremony.

Information Included on Ballots:

- Abstract (The abstract should be prepared as described in the University Graduate Council Thesis and Dissertation Manual in Section 3.10)

- Publications- Honors, awards, etc.- Elected offices- Lectures and Seminars- Photograph (wallet portrait)- Nomination letter directly submitted by the advisor to the Graduate Office.

Cash Award

First Place - $2,000 and a plaqueSecond Place - $1,000 and a plaque

Names of the Lauren Woods Awardees are added to the plaque in the Graduate Office.

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C.C. Clayton Award

The Clayton awards honor the memory of the founder of advanced degree education at VCU by recognizing and tangibly rewarding student achievement. Awards are made to students in MS and PhD programs in each Department in the School of Medicine.

Each department/ program will have the opportunity to name a doctoral awardee provided that the following criteria are met:The student is enrolled as a Ph.D. student.As of January 1 in the academic year of the nomination (2013-13), the student will have completed ~ 45-60 credit hours; the implication is that the student nominated is a student in his/her second year or third of study.A GPA of 3.75/4.0 in courses at this institution at the graduate level will have been maintained as documented by a Banner transcript copy.Additional evidence of scholarly achievement will be shown; "evidence" shall minimally be a one-page description of research in progress provided by the student.Submission of a resume prepared by the student.Submission of a letter from the Chair or Program Director nominating the student which describes the basis for selectionThe current address, V-number and Social Security Number of the student nominatedEach qualified Ph.D. student will receive an award of $1,000 from the School of Medicine.

Each department will have the opportunity to name a masters awardee (the department of Human Genetics may identify an awardee for the Master of Genetic Counseling in addition to a masters nominee; two nominees from the MPH program will be permitted) provided that the following criteria are met:The student is enrolled as a Masters student.As of January 1 in the academic year of the nomination, the student will have completed ~45-60 credit hours; the implication is that the student nominatedwill be a student in his/her second year of study.A GPA of 3.75/4.0 in courses at this institution at the graduate level will have been maintained as documented by a Banner transcript copy. Additional evidence of scholarly achievement will be shown; "evidence" shall minimally be a one-page description of research in progress provided by the student.Submission of a resume prepared by the student.Submission of a letter from the Chair or Program Director nominating the student which describes the basis for selectionThe current address, V-number and Social Security Number of the student nominatedEach qualified Masters student will receive an award of $500 from the School of Medicine.

Honor Society of Phi Kappa PhiThe Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society recognizes outstanding academic achievement of graduate students.

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To be eligible for nomination the student must fulfill the following criteria:

1. The individual must be a first time graduate (Master’s or Ph.D.) degree candidate2. The person must have completed a minimum of one academic year at VCU; i.e. the person must be in at least the third semester of study at VCU3. The person must have a cumulative graduate GPA > 3.504. The person should be performing in the upper 10% of your degree program5. The person must be of worthy character

WATTS DAY

In 1966 the Medical College of Virginia created a School of Basic Sciences and Graduate Studies in order to enhance the quality of health professions instruction, research and graduate education. Dr. Daniel T. Watts was recruited as the first Dean of the School and began to strive for national recognition in selected areas of research and graduate training.

In 1982, the Daniel T. Watts Student Awards and Activity Fund was established to honor Dr. Watts for his support of the academic and research activities of the graduate students. This fund supports in part the Graduate Student Poster Day Symposium. In 1989, this research honors day was renamed in honor of the first Dean of the School, Daniel T. Watts, for his support, encouragement and advancement of graduate research.

Graduate student poster day was instituted in 1984 with the following objectives: display the breadth of research on the VCU campus to new students; to give graduate students and postdoctoral trainees experience in this format of scientific presentation; and to facilitate collaboration among faculty in different departments and schools. Graduate student poster day is organized by graduate students and a faculty advisor. The format varies somewhat year-to-year. Graduate students from all VCU Schools and from Humanities and Science are invited to participate. Submission of Title and student name to be presented at Watts Day is in mid-September and the posters presentations are during early October. Although there is no cash award for winners (everyone receives a gift for participating) it provides another line on your curriculum vitae (CV).

FORBES DAY

A series of Biological Seminars was established in 1935 by John C. Forbes and was continued until the recent years. These seminars were presented on a weekly basis as an interdepartmental program, where local faculty, graduate students and invited distinguished scholars presented research in their areas of interest.

In 1973, a new dimension was added -- an honors day program giving recognition to excellence in research at the masters and doctoral level and to promote excellence within our institution. As a result of the historical involvement at this school by Dr. Forbes, the day has henceforth been known as the John C. Forbes Honors Day.

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School of Medicine – WEAVE

Mission/Goals, Learning Objectives and MeasuresPhD and MS Programs

Mission / PurposeThe graduate program leading to a Ph.D. degree in the department of Pharmacology and Toxicology has as a mission to prepare individuals for a variety of career objectives in biomedical science. These objectives include training students for careers such as research faculty, teaching faculty, industrial scientists, and scientists in government regulatory agencies (but other related careers are not excluded). The program incorporates formal instructional activity and research training mentored by members of the faculty. The Ph.D. program is distinguished from the M.S. degrees offered by the department in that the Ph.D. student is being prepared for a career as an independent investigator.

GoalsGOALS  The program is designed to provide students with the skills required to advance to positions as bioscience researchers/trainers in a broad spectrum of positions. The structure of the program provides a framework for the progressive development of a mastery of the current state of the subject matter of bioscience, an ability to synthesize this information and apply this foundation to the identification of key areas of investigation/experimentation in bioscience. The program relates the above framework to the development of the ability to design, implement and interpret experimental approaches which address the questions identified. In addition, program will develop skills in the various means of communicating both the core of bioscience knowledge and the expression of experimental design, results and interpretation to a variety of potential audiences.Student Learning Outcomes/ObjectivesStudent Learning Objective 1:  Experimental Skills The candidate will demonstrate the achievement of an appropriate level of competence in the ability to appraise, modify and / or create and implement experimental protocols and to design and develop experiments as measured by rubric.Related MeasuresWritten doctoral candidacy examination for PhD The written Doctoral Candidacy Examination is the research proposal of 6 to 10 pages (excluding figures and references) that is submitted to and graded by the Student Committee. The proposals must include specific aims, significance, innovation and experimental approach sections similar to NIH predoctoral grants. The committee evaluates the ability of the student to explain concepts relevant to the discipline, interpret information in the literature, and formulate and/or design novel perspectives. In addition to the assessment of the utilization of information relevant to the discipline, reviewers of proposal submitted by the student assess the written communication

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performance following the appropriate rubric. Employment of a minimum of five reviewers (i.e. the Student Committee) provides a means of measuring inter-rater/reviewer reliability.Oral doctoral candidacy examination for PhD The oral candidacy examination will be conducted by the Advisory Committee consisting of a minimum of five members (Ph.D. level) with an additional ad hoc member, appointed by the Office of Graduate Education, who serves as the formal Chair of the examination. The examination will consist of a short oral presentation of a description of a research project, based on a document prepared by the student and distributed in advance to the examiner. The Committee will review the presentation ( both written and oral ) following the elements described in the attached rubrics affording a means of inter-rater reviewer reliability. Following the presentation the examining Committee will question the student on both the description presented as well as core elements of knowledge in the discipline. Student performance will be assessed to be adequate (pass) or not adequate (fail) by each member of the Committee based on the individual assessment of the components of the examination as described. Two or more votes to fail results in overall failure of the examination.Performance review of progress for MS and PhDThe performance of the student is reviewed on a semi-annual basis employing the performance in didactic and research training elements following rubrics appropriate to the objectives of the program. The performance review is conducted by the faculty Advisor in conjunction with faculty participating in the program and/or members of the Advisory Committee affording a means of measuring inter-rater/reviewer reliability.Dissertation review and examination for MS and PhDThe thesis/dissertation review will be conducted by the Advisory Committee consisting of a minimum of five members (Ph.D. level) and three members (MS level). The Committee members will review the document independently following the elements described in the attached rubric and score the document as Outstanding, Excellent, Acceptable or Unacceptable affording a means of measuring inter-rater/reviewer reliability. All members must find the document to be “acceptable.” The thesis / dissertation examination will be conducted though the presentation of the body of work described in the document in the form of a public seminar attended by the Advisory Committee. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Committee members will review the presentation following the elements in the attached rubric as a means of measuring the oral and visual communication skills of the student affording a means of inter-rater/reviewer reliability. Committee members will vote to pass or fail the student on the performance with two or more votes to fail resulting in the overall failure of the examination.

Student Learning Objective 2:  Communication Skills The candidate will demonstrate the achievement of an appropriate level of oral communication skills with respect to the content, organization, logical flow, presentation and appropriate use of language incorporating the use of visual aids, as measured by rubric.

Student Learning Objective 3:  Integrated Knowledge of Biosciences The candidate will demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of the current elements of the biosciences as related to disciplinary specialization and a more detailed understanding of the individual area of scholarship, including an appropriate familiarity with the research literature and the ability to evaluate and critique publications as measured by rubric.

Descriptive Rubrics for Learning Objectives Oral Communication Unsatisfactory - Topics are poorly developed with limited or poorly presented supporting details; presentation is unfocussed with limited relationship of aims and supporting

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information; speaker displays inadequate/inappropriate use of vocabulary, eye contact, posture, presentation appears unpracticed; visual materials poorly support points in the presentation; speaker fails to appropriately address questions Satisfactory - Topics are adequately developed with inclusion of supporting materials; presentation is appropriately organized and is inclusive of aims and supporting information; speaker appears proficient in presentation skills though occasional flaws are present; resentation is adequately paced with clear exposition and logical presentation; visual materials support points in the presentation; speaker addresses questions adequately Exemplary - Topic is well developed, effectively supported by relevant information; organization of presentation reflects creation of a well-structured framework; speaker displays consistent use of correct grammar and vocabulary and professional delivery, including eye contact and physical demeanor; visual materials are effective in supporting and enhancing the presentation; speaker addresses questions carefully and thoroughly, integrating additional information in responses Written Communication Unsatisfactory - Document contains numerous grammar, syntax and spelling errors; use of vocabulary is inadequate; content is incomplete and / or inadequately organized to communicate message; presentation of figures and tables disjointed and confusing and / or displays absence / inappropriate use of citations Satisfactory - Rules of grammar, syntax and spelling are followed with minimal errors; use of vocabulary is appropriate; content is adequately organized to communicate message; presentation of figures and tables provides an enhancement of the message in the presentation; citations are appropriately presented Exemplary - Rules of grammar, syntax and spelling are consistently followed; vocabulary enhances communication of message; content is creatively organized with smooth transitions in the presentation of the message; use of figures and tables reflects an analysis of effective means of supporting message; citations are appropriately presented Experimental Design Unsatisfactory - Student fails to recognize limitations in the design of experimental protocols that compromise their suitability for productive research; student displays limited ability to adopt protocol descriptions for experiment and data acquisition; student lacks the level of technical skill to safely pursue unsupervised experimental work Satisfactory - Student displays appropriate ability to identify experimental protocols appropriate to the research objective; student displays appropriate technical ability to implement protocols for data acquisition

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Exemplary - Student displays ability to identify and select experimental protocols most appropriate to the research objective (may include the modification of established procedures); student displays appropriate technical ability to implement protocols for data acquisition

Problem Solving Skills Unsatisfactory - Student does many of the following: misinterprets or inaccurately evaluates relevant information; fails to acceptably explain procedures and/or results as related to reasons and claims; does not appropriately evaluate clear alternative explanations; draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions; does not link evidence or reasoned analysis to claims in an appropriate manner Satisfactory - Student consistently does most of the following in an appropriate fashion: identifies the appropriate reasons and claims (objective and hypothesis) related to the problem; accurately evaluates relevant information available including presentation of methodology, data reduction and presentation, reference citations, statements and questions, etc.; analyzes the relation of the information to the reasons and claims, including (as appropriate) alternative explanations; draws warranted, non-fallacious conclusions; follows development of evidence to reasoned conclusion Exemplary - Student consistently does the following in an appropriate fashion: identifies the appropriate reasons and claims (objective and hypothesis) related to the problem; accurately evaluates relevant information available including presentation of methodology, data reduction and presentation, reference citations, statements and questions, etc.; independently analyzes and evaluates the relation of the information to the reasons and claims, including (as appropriate) alternative explanations; draws warranted, non-fallacious and judicious conclusions; follows development of evidence to reasoned conclusion Integrated Knowledge of Bioscience Unsatisfactory - Student demonstrates knowledge of factual material limited to a level appropriate to a baccalaureate graduate in the sciences; knowledge of bioscience related to the student’s research area is unrelated to the current research literature Satisfactory - Student demonstrates ability to apply fundamental concepts to advanced topics in bioscience and ability to relate the current research literature to her or his area of research Exemplary - Student demonstrates ability to apply fundamental concepts to advanced topics in bioscience and a command of the current research literature related to her or his area of research including the ability to relate the literature to the student’s research product.

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Curriculum Map for courses in the Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD program

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Curriculum Map for Courses in Pharmacology and Toxicology MS Program

PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY MS

Course Course Title ElectiveRequired

Communication ExperimentalDesign

GenKnowledge

Problem SolvingSkills

BIOC 503Biochem, Cell & MolBiology R 0 1A 3A 1A

IBMS 600 Laboratory Safety R 0 0 1A 0

PHTX 691 Basic Concepts inPharmacology

R 0 1 3A 3A

PHTX 536Principles ofPharmacology R 0 1A 3A 3A

PHTX 690 PMC Research Seminar R 3A 1 3 1PHTX 697 Directed Research R 3A 3A 3A 3APHTX 613 Cell Signaling E 0 1A 3A 3A

PHTX 620Ion Channels inMembranes E 1 1 3A 3A

PHTX 632NeurochemicalPharmacol E 1 1 3A 3A

PHTX 633BehavioralPharmacology E 0 1 3A 3A

PHTX 644 Forensic Toxicology E 0 1 3A 3APHTX 691-904 Critical Thinking E 2A 1A 3A 1A

Rubric:R= requiredE= Elective

0 - Does not teach this outcome1 - Introduces students to this outcome2 - Gives students opportunities to practice this outcome3 - Provides students opportunities to demonstrate mastery of this outcomeA - Data to assess student learning are collected

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APPENDIX

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Bylaws of the Pharmacology and Toxicology Student Organization (PTSO)

ARTICLE ONE: NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Pharmacology and Toxicology Student Organization (PTSO)

ARTICLE TWO: MISSION STATEMENT

The PTSO governed by and for the departmental students, seeks to fulfill the following goals:

a. To welcome and orient new students to our program;b. To serve as liaison between faculty and students in situations when such assistance is

requested or required;c. To plan and coordinate educational and social events to foster departmental

interaction;d. To provide the departmental students with opportunities to participate in community

service in areas related to science;e. As student-elected representatives, to voice the concerns of the department’s students

in institute-wide issues.

ARTICLE THREE: MEMBERSHIP

The membership of PTSO shall consist of all students in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus.

ARTICLE FOUR: VOTING RIGHTS

All members shall have the right to vote on all matters coming before the PTSO.

ARTICLE FIVE: OFFICERS

Section 1. The executive officers shall be:a. Presidentb. Vice Presidentc. Secretaryd. Treasurere. Library Representativef. SGA Representative (2) (minimum one per 40 graduate students, if less

than 40 one to serve as alternate)g. Honor Council Representative (2)

Section 2. The term of office for each officer shall be one year.

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ARTICLE SIX: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall:a. Preside at all meetings of this organization;b. Call special meetings;c. Serve as liaison between the PTSO and both the Director of Graduate

Studies and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology;d. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committeese. Serve as chair of the Student’s Choice as Professor of the Year

Committee;f. Appoint members to non-elected positions at the beginning of their term.

Section 2. The Vice President shall:a. Assist in the responsibilities of the President;b. Assume responsibilities of the President in their absence;c. Serve as chair of the Journal Club Committee

Section 3. The Secretary shall:a. Record and make available to all students the minutes of each PTSO

meeting;b. Raise a point of order when breach of rules occurs;c. Record the business discussed at official meetings between the President

and the Director of Graduate Studiesd. Help prepare a list of nominees for elective office and distribute these one

month prior to election of such officers.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:a. Be responsible for the safe-keeping of all funds assigned to the PTSO;b. Prepare and deliver a statement of financial accounts of the PTSO at all

regular PTSO meetings.

Section 5. The Library Representative shall:a. Maintain proper order and cleanliness of the Pharmacology and

Toxicology Library, Smith 646;b. Receive library materials from faculty/staff and distribute to the library;c. Keep the Pharmacology and Toxicology exam file current and in proper

order.

Section 6. The SGA Representative(s) shall:a. Attend all monthly SGA meetings;b. Provide voice for our students at SGA meetings;c. Expeditiously inform student s in our department of issues discussed at

SGA meetings.

Section 7. The Honor Council Representative(s) shall:a. Attend all monthly Honor Council meetings;b. Provide voice for our students at Honor Council meetings;

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c. Expeditiously inform student s in our department of issues discussed at Honor Council meetings.

ARTICLE SEVEN: APPOINTED POSITIONS

Section 1. The president shall appoint a Questers Student Coordinator, whose duties are to organize the graduate students for the duration of the program and to update laboratory protocols as necessary;

Section 2. The president shall appoint a Recreational Representative, whose duties are to keep the students informed of all university-sponsored recreational activities, and to be present at intramural sports captains’ meeting.

ARTICLE EIGHT: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held no less frequently than once per two months at such time and place as designated by the President.

Section 2. Special meetings shall be called:a. By the President as deemed necessary;b. Upon request by any executive committee members, should the majority

of the executive committee member agree to attend, including the President.

Section 3. The order of business at a regular meeting is as follows:a. Reading of minutes of the previous meeting (and their approval);b. Reports of standing committees;c. Reports of special committees and individual members or the PTSO;d. Unfinished business;e. New business;f. Communications and announcements.

Section 4. Meetings:a. Business meetings are open for attendance to all PTSO members. Non-

members may attend by invitation of the President or two-third of the members present.

b. Committee meetings shall be open for attendance to all PTSO members. Non-members may attend by invitation of the chair of the said committee.

Section 5. Motions must be introduced and seconded by any member, either present at the meeting or by written proxy, before calling a vote. Motions are passed by two-thirds majority vote.

Section 6. Voting by written proxy is allowed. Such proxies shall be presented by any executive officer and pertain only to the motion so specified by the proxy.

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ARTICLE NINE: ELECTIONS

Section 1. All students are eligible to run for PTSO office, with the recommendation of the PTSO that students qualified to run for the offices of the President and Vice President will have taken or are scheduled to take written comprehensive exams before assuming duties.

Section 2. The election process shall begin in May when nomination forms will be distributed either via email and/or mailboxes. All nomination forms must be returned to the secretary within two weeks of initial distribution.

Section 3. The secretary shall confirm the willingness of nominees to serve in the elected office. Should someone be nominated for more than one office, excluding SGA representative or Honor Council representative, the nominee shall choose the office for which their name will appear on the ballot.

Section 4. Following the nomination process, the secretary shall distribute ballots to all students in the Department via their mailboxes. Ballots shall be coded to ensure a fair election. Ballots must be returned to the secretary within two weeks of initial distribution.

Section 5. Election results will be announced in June.

Section 6. Officers will assume their duties on July 1 following the election.

ARTICLE TEN: STANDING COMMITEES

Section 1. Standing committees shall be:a. Community Service Committeeb. Student’s Choice for Professor of the Yearc. Journal Club Committee

Section 2. The President shall appoint committee members and chairs.Section 3. Committees shall consist of PTSO members, including a chair.Section 4. Special committee may be created by the President or by a majority vote of

the members of the PTSO. Any special committee shall exist no more than one year.

These Bylaws were amended and put into effect July 1, 2001.