Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences - MS, PhD

Focus Areas

The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences Program allows students to select one of five highly sought after focus areas through four of the University's science departments.

How to Apply

Applicants should indicate on the application that they are interested in applying to the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Science Program and their desired area of focus (e.g. Chemical Synthesis, Drug Discovery and Design). Applicants are encouraged to visit the individual faculty pages for their research interests.

Each department evaluates applicants on their record of academic performance, Graduate Record Examination scores, personal statement, and the availability of faculty as advisors to determine the qualification and potential of the students.

• The GRE® General Exam is required. The minimum combined score for Verbal and Quantitative sections is 303. The minimum Analytical score is 3.0. Scores can be no older than 5 years old. (See above) Learn more.
• Bachelor's degree with a B average (GPA of 3.0) or higher in all upper-division coursework.
• Essay or personal statement focusing on career objectives and personal ideals. Applicants must indicate focus area preference. Grammar and writing skills are an important part of the evaluation.
• Three letters of recommendation (no more than one year old).

International Applicants

• International students who attended schools outside of the United States must submit an evaluation of their academic records. Transcripts must be reviewed by one of the following outside evaluation agencies: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please request a course-by-course evaluation that includes a grade point average (GPA) and have an official copy sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admission. Student transcripts need to be translated into English before an evaluation can be processed. Please check with the evaluation agency for details on specific document requirements.
• A Certification of Finances form with all required documents must be completed and sent with the application materials or upon notification of admission by PCSP.
• Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose native/principle language of instruction is not English. This requirement can be met by minimum scores of 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants interested in applying for a graduate assistantship must meet minimum scores of 90 (iBT) or 575 (paper) on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS. Official test score reports are required and can be no older than 2 years old.

After You Apply

• Application processing time will take anywhere from 8-10 weeks.
• If any documentation is missing we will contact you. However, once you have received your university ID number, we encourage you to monitor receipt of items online using the Graduate Application Checker.
• Once your completed application has been reviewed by the Department, the Office of Graduate Admission will notify you of your admission decision by email.
• Official admission decisions will be in writing on letterhead from the Office of Graduate Admission.
• Any verbal or written statements about admission either express or implied from any other source, will not be official.
• The Office of Graduate Admission will also notify you by email if you have been awarded financial assistance including teaching and research assistantship awards.
• Your acceptance for enrollment in the program applies only to the term noted on the admission letter.
• If you wish to change your entry date, you must request the change from the Office of Graduate Admission.
• Please be aware that the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prevents us from discussing your application with any third party.

Financial Aid

If you are interested in financial assistance please make sure to indicate your interest on the graduate school admission application. Graduate Assistantships are available to fall and spring applicants.