The Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology is committed to academic excellence and to the attainment of regional, national, and international recognition for the quality of its educational, research, and service activities. Guided by the University of Louisville Challenge for Excellence to become a preeminent metropolitan research university, the Department Strategic Plan will focus on accomplishment of five broad objectives:

• Provide instruction in pharmacology and toxicology of the highest quality for the education and preparation of medical, dental, nursing, and other health care professional students. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental principles necessary for life-long learning and the essential knowledge required for rational, effective, and safe use of drug therapy.
• Advance biomedical knowledge through active contribution to high quality research and other scholarly activities, particularly in pharmacology and toxicology and other areas of focus within the University of Louisville Challenge for Excellence.
• Provide high quality research and educational experiences in pharmacology and toxicology for the education and training of future biomedical scientists who can provide and advance biomedical education, research, and service.
• Provide instruction of the highest quality in pharmacology and toxicology that is appropriate for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels.
• Provide high quality service to the School of Medicine, the Health Sciences Center, the University, the people of Louisville and the surrounding region, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, professional organizations, the nation, and the world.

Goals of the Program

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is dedicated to advancing biomedical knowledge through active contribution to high quality research in pharmacology and toxicology and to providing high quality research and educational experiences for the education and training of future biomedical scientists who advance biomedical education, research, and service.

Program Admission Procedure

For the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology complete guidelines are given below. WWW Links can be found at : http://www.louisville.edu/~wmpier01/info_pros_grad.htm )

1. Application forms. All candidates for admission to graduate programs at the University of Louisville must complete the application form found at http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply. This may be completed online or may be submitted via mail to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Suite 105, Houchens Bldg
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
United States of America

Applications are received at any time for starting dates of approximately August 1. All credentials and/or communications should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and should contain the student's full name and Social Security Number or UofL-issued Student ID. Lack of Social Security Number may cause processing to be delayed. Applications received by January 1 are assured of full consideration for that year. Admission on a conditional basis is a possibility in rare, special cases, even though application materials are incomplete. Please contact the department for additional information.

2. Application Fee.  A $50.00 US currency non-refundable application fee is required with the application form. An application will not be forwarded to the department until this fee is paid. A check or money order should be made payable to the " University of Louisville."

3. Transcripts.  Applicants for admission to a degree program must submit an official transcript from each college attended. All University of Louisville transcripts will automatically be submitted with completion of an application. All applications are considered on an individual basis. Normally, a successful applicant will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher and will have successfully completed sufficient coursework in basic biology, chemistry and mathematics.

4. Test Scores.  Applicants normally must take the general section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There is no absolute cutoff score for acceptance. Each case is decided on the totality of its merits. At the discretion of the department, MCAT or other entrance examinations scores may be accepted in place of the GRE. Information can be obtained from:

• University of Louisville Testing Center, or
• Graduate Record Examination Educational Testing Service Box 955 Princeton, NJ 08541, or
• http://www.gre.org/

The GRE Advanced Test in a discipline is not required, but if available will be used in admissions and placement decisions.

NOTE: GRE Institution Code is R1838-University of Louisville. The GRE major codes are 0216 – Pharmacology or 0219 – Toxicology.

5. Statement of Experience and Professional Goals.  At the time of application, a two-three page typed statement should be sent directly to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. This statement should be used to introduce the student to the faculty of the Department, describing past educational, laboratory and relevant life experiences, as well as outlining professional goals after the degree program. This statement can be sent electronically to pierce@louisville.edu or via mail to:

William M. Pierce Jr., Ph.D.
Vice Chair for Graduate Education
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
School of Medicine
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
United States of America

6. English Proficiency. All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test or 550 or higher on the paper-based test for verification of English proficiency. Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement. Information concerning the TOEFL exam can be obtained from: University Testing Center, or Test of English as a Foreign Language PO Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541 USA or http://www.toefl.org The institutional code of UofL for TOEFL is 1838. The TOEFL department code is 30 (other biological sciences.)

7. Personal Interview. Whenever possible, a personal interview, either in person or via telephone will be held before final offer and acceptance of a position in the M.S. program.

8. Letters of Recommendation. Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic work are required. This can be in the form of a letter or may be done using the recommendation form found at http://graduate.louisville.edu/students/grad-rec.pdf.

9. International Student Applicants. In addition to satisfying the appropriate credential requirements, applicants may be required to provide the following documents.

• Applicants who attended college outside the US must submit verbatim notarized English translations of all academic records and credentials.
• If on a Visa that requires an I-20 or IAP-66, the applicant is required to complete an Application Supplement/Financial Declaration form (http://graduate.louisville.edu/students/international-financial-declaration.html/) and submit appropriate financial documentation.
• A cost estimate is available.

10. Financial Aid The Department normally provides no funds for such support of Masters' students.

11. Residency Policy Residency status for students is determined in the Office of Graduate Admissions. The status is determined according to the policy on classification of students for fee assessment purposes at state-supported institutions of higher education. Except as provided in the guidelines, it is presumed that a resident has remained in the state in a non-student status for the twelve months immediately preceding the last date for enrollment in the institution.

The domicile of an unemancipated person, as defined in the guidelines, is that of his/her parent. The domicile of a married person is determined by the provisions of the guidelines independent of the residence of the spouse. Copies of the guidelines and appropriate forms for requesting change of residence classification may be obtained from the Office of Student Services.

Indiana Tuition Reciprocity: The University of Louisville is participating in an Indiana Tuition Reciprocity Program for residents of Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison or Scott Counties who have been admitted directly into an approved graduate program. Eligible participants are required to notify the Admissions Office prior to their first enrollment and the Registrar's Office after their first enrollment of any changes in residency status. [e.g. if they no longer live in one of the eligible counties, or are no longer in an eligible program.] The University reserves the right to further investigate and require documentation of eligibility for tuition reciprocity.

For Military Personnel: If an applicant, spouse or parent (if dependent) is currently stationed in Kentucky on military active duty for one or more years, please attach a copy of the military orders, a lease or mortgage showing Kentucky address and a military dependent identification card if appropriate. If the applicant is a Kentucky resident but has been in the military and has been recently discharged, please send a copy of the military discharge papers (DD-214).

International Students on Immigrant/ Permanent Resident Status: If currently on an immigrant/ permanent resident status, it will be necessary to submit a copy of an immigration/ permanent resident card, both sides, for review of possible residency classification for tuition purposes.

The University of Louisville reserves the right to change programs of study, academic requirements, fees, schedules of courses, the announced academic calendar and deadlines without prior notice.

Research M.S. Curriculum

The Research Master’s Degree is a two (2)+ year course of study which includes the Pharmacology Foundation series, a research project and a research Thesis.  This course of study is designed for students desiring training in pharmacological and toxicological research. 

Academic M.S. Curriculum

The Academic Master’s degree is a 1.5+ year course of study with a less in-depth foundation, more breadth of experience in the classroom (electives) and a capstone experience of a “dry” thesis – literature review or the like.  It is proposed as ideal:

As a stand alone M.S. for individuals in professions that draw upon a pharmacological or toxicological foundation but do not require research expertise (e.g. pharmaceutical representatives, medical insurance providers, medico-legal professionals)

For pairing with other programs to form hybrid or dual science/business degrees, such as an M.S./M.B.A. program for individuals interested in progressing through management ranks in Pharma or biotech businesses

When coupled with extensive scientific writing experience or electives, as the basis for a scientific writing career

When combined with theoretical and practical training in laboratory analysis, as the basis for a career in biotechnology