Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

• Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. Prior academic work should include chemistry, biology, physics, and math. Biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and physiology are also helpful.
• Other Requirements At least 2.75/4.00 (3.00 or better preferred) for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required GRE General. Preference is given to applicants with percentile rankings above 65% on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections of the GRE.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL The TOEFL score cannot be more than two years old. UIC’s Institutional Code is 1851. 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (New Paper-Based—after August 2018); 550 (Institutional Testing Paper-Based—prior to August 2018), OR,
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Required.
• Personal Statement Required. One page summarizing past academic and research experience (if any) and motivation for pursuing a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology.
• Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants must show adequate preparation to enroll in desired courses and must obtain the permission of the director of graduate studies.
• Master of Science Applicants The department does not admit students to a master’s program. A student in the PhD program may be awarded a terminal master’s degree if he or she decides not to complete the PhD, provided enough research has been accomplished to write and defend a thesis.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
• Course Work

• Comprehensive Examination None.
• Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis required. No other options are available.
• Other Requirements Students may be called upon to assist in aspects of teaching and research activities of the department. Students are expected to attend special seminars sponsored by the department.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 semester hours from the baccalaureate.
• Course Work

• Preliminary Examination Required.
• Dissertation Required.
• Other Requirements Students may be called upon to assist in aspects of the teaching and research activities of the department. Students are expected to attend special seminars sponsored by the department.

Medical Scientist Training Program

Students with an MD degree earned in the United States or who are working toward one at UIC may use medical science courses to fulfill most of the 500-level course requirements. Such students must take 3 credits of GEMS 504, GEMS 515 and 2 semester hours of an elective 500-level didactic course in the department. Students must also register for PCOL 595 and PCOL 599 each semester. Other courses may be required as determined by the advisor and the graduate committee based on the student’s area of interest.