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Contents
What is Molecular and Cellular
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the knowledge
of the biochemical and physiological actions of drugs. A drug is broadly
defined as any chemical that affects biological processes. Man's age-old
quest to understand the effects of powerful ancient poisons, stimulants,
and herbal medicines forms the historical roots of Pharmacology: The
deadly Hemlock extract that filled Socrates' cup of poison; Cocaine,
a narcotic long-known to the Andean natives (its mode of action is in
the center of current research on drug addiction); Foxglove, the source
of digitalis glycosides used in medieval England as well as in modern
medicine for the treatment of heart failure.
Many drugs act on cellular signaling pathways. The molecular basis of
cellular signaling and its control by various drugs is a major aspect
of modern pharmacology and this aspect is emphasized in the Graduate
Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. The majority of signal
transduction pathways still awaits discovery or at least a thorough
molecular characterization. Members of our Graduate Program employ the
whole spectrum of modern biochemical, cell and molecular biological,
physiological, and pharmacological methods in a strictly basic research-oriented
scientific environment to unravel the many unsolved mysteries underlying
cellular regulation and signaling. Certain research initiatives have
a translational component, with the goal of applying basic discoveries
to developing new therapeutic modalities.
The members of the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
invite you to examine the educational and research opportunities described
at this site, and to consider joining this unique and exciting Graduate
Program. [Back to Contents]
What Makes this Program Different
from Others?
Pharmacology is the classic
discipline for studying cellular signaling. Biochemistry, on the other
hand, emphasizes traditionally the molecular characterization of cell
components and their metabolism. No other biomedical discipline but
Pharmacology comprises a comparable variety of conceptual and technical
approaches toward an understanding of molecular and physiological processes.
Modern molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunology, cell biology,
genetics, electrophysiology, and morphology are well represented in
the Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. Students will be
instructed thoroughly in these fields as well as in the unique principles
of Pharmacology.
One major objective of the Program is to teach the students a fundamental
understanding of the molecular basis of signal transducing systems and
their regulation.
The Program brings together an outstanding group of dedicated trainers
with a focus on cellular signal transduction. Graduates of the Program
will be well prepared for a career in basic biomedical sciences. The
Program provides a unique training experience for young scientists who
want to elucidate basic principles of cellular signal pathways. Detailed
knowledge of these pathways is the most important prerequisite for the
discovery of new drugs and the treatment of diseases. [Back
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Career Opportunities
Numerous academic, governmental,
and industrial employment opportunities await the pharmacology graduate.
Pharmacology as a central subject for medical students has a strong
representation at most medical schools, and many academic positions
are available for pharmacologists who want to teach and engage in basic
research. Pharmaceutical companies focus on the discovery and development
of novel therapeutic drugs, often employing modern biotechnological
strategies. They have great demands for highly qualified pharmacologists
in leading positions. Governmental offices, such as the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), require well-trained pharmacologists with large
responsibilities to oversee the therapeutic effects as well as the pharmacological
safety of newly developed drugs. The Graduate Program in Molecular and
Cellular Pharmacology is designed to provide the theoretical and practical
training to compete successfully for employment in the academic as well
as the private sector.
Ring
of Hire - Newspaper Article
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The Program
The Pharmacology Graduate Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
has been ranked in the top twelve Pharmacology Programs nationwide,
reflecting the outstanding teaching and research quality of its members.
The Program is based in the Department of Pharmacology, which constitutes
one of the Basic Science Departments of the University of Wisconsin
Medical School.
The objective of the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
is to equip the students with the skills required to conduct state-of-the-art
biomolecular, biomedical, and pharmacological basic research. The Program
assists the students in becoming independent investigators in these
research areas.
Advances in biomedical sciences are often based on the development of
new drugs which improve and save the lives of millions of patients.
Drugs with specific biochemical actions are also powerful research tools.
They provide pharmacologists and other biomedical scientists unique
research opportunities which help to elucidate cellular signaling cascades.
Students of the Graduate Program will develop expertise in the fundamentals
of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. They will be able to solve a
variety of problems in basic biomedical sciences involving the design
of research strategies for the discovery of novel drugs or gene therapy
approaches to regulate aberrant signal transduction cascades.
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Curriculum
The Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison has a multidisciplinary approach leading to a Ph.D.
degree. There is no formal Master's degree program.
Although the Graduate Program is based in the Department of Pharmacology,
it is designed as an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary Program
consisting of about 38 trainers. Participating faculty members are from
the Departments of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry,
Oncology, Genetics, Physiology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, Zoology
and the School of Pharmacy. The interdepartmental nature of the Graduate
Program results in a flexible and yet rigorous set of degree requirements
and training opportunities. The diversity of the research faculty encourages
the graduate students to build upon the fundamentals of molecular and
cellular biology and the principles of modern pharmacology in designing
their focus of advanced studies and research.
The faculty stimulate each student to develop an independent and creative
approach to science. The first year of the Graduate Program emphasizes
formal course work with focus on advanced Biochemistry, Cell Biology,
Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Pharmacology. These courses provide
the foundation for a more specialized set of studies, which is defined
by the students with the advice of their research mentors and their
Certification Committees. The Certification Committee consists of the
student, his or her research advisor, and four other faculty. Students
begin research in the laboratories of their mentors in their first year.
Seminars and research progress reports are part of the formal training.
A two-part preliminary examination is offered at the end of the second
year (Part 1) and a research proposal in combination with an oral examination
is presented by the middle of the third year (Part 2). At the end of
their studies and research, graduate students defend their thesis, which
is based on the students' original research in the form of a final seminar
and oral examination. The Certification Committee meets with each student
on a yearly basis, providing a source of encouragement and a formal
opportunity for the exchange of research ideas. Students and faculty
enjoy weekly seminars and informal social get togethers, establishing
scientific and social interactions which create an atmosphere of cohesive
scientific communication.
[Back
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Founded in 1848, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has consistently
been ranked among the 10 top universities in the country and one of
the leading universities in the world. The University has one of the
best and largest research facilities worldwide. Most areas of biological
research are represented by internationally renowned scientists. National
science polls rank the biomedical and biological sciences at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison as one of the best in the nation. The biological
science community at the University is noted for its dynamic spirit
of inquiry and its collegial atmosphere of collaboration, which crosses
departmental boundaries.
The Madison campus comprises 125 departments, which engage more than
2,500 faculty members representing nearly all academic disciplines.
More than 41,000 students are enrolled, including about 10,000 who study
for advanced degrees.
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Research Facilities
Research is carried out in
well-designed research laboratories equipped with modern instruments
and facilities. Additional equipment and basic research services are
fully accessible through core facilities and through interdepartmental
cooperation, a major strength of the University. Examples include DNA
synthesis and sequencing facilities, high-throughout yeast two-hybrid
screening facility, mass spectroscopy facility, real-time PCR facility,
centralized production of monoclonal antibodies, and electron and confocal
microscopes. A large Genetics/Biotechnology Center has recently been
opened, and a program fostering University-Industry relations facilitates
interaction with biotechnology companies.
The Department of Pharmacology houses a library and computer laboratory
available for the graduate students 24 hours every day.
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The Students
The University of Wisconsin attracts students as well as scientists
from around the world. Students of the Graduate Program are drawn from
all regions of the United States and many countries. Most of the Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology faculty sponsor between two and nine graduate
students in their laboratories. These students come not only from the
Departmental-based training program, but also from other programs, e.g.,
the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, the Genetics Program, and the
Neuroscience Program. Students with different academic and scientific
strengths work side by side, thus extending the breadth and scientific
expertise of the Department.
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Financial Aid and Housing
All students in the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
receive competitive stipends to cover living expenses, tuitions and
fees from Graduate School Fellowships, NIH Training Grants, or Research
Assistantships funded through the Graduate Program. Health insurance
costs are covered by the University and provide the same coverage as
for faculty and staff. However, all students are encouraged to apply
for prestigious National Science Foundation or Howard Hughes Medical
Institute Fellowships at the time of application to Graduate School
and during their first semester on Campus.
A wide variety of rooms, apartments, and houses are available within
walking distance to the Campus or on convenient bus routes. For more
information on private housing contact: Campus Information and Visitor
Center (The Red Gym), 716 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706-1493; phone:
(608) 263 2400. The University
also maintains single- and double-room dormitories. University housing
is available for married students. There is usually a waiting list for
these units. For additional information contact: Division of University
Housing Assignment Office, University Apts. Office, Community Center,
611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI 53705; phone: (608) 262 -3407.
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Spousal Employment
Madison is not only the capitol
of Wisconsin, but also an international center for insurance companies
and hosts numerous biotechnology companies. Many non-academic positions,
including administrative job opportunities, are created by the University,
the Government, insurance companies, schools, libraries, hospitals,
and other industries and employers, such as Oscar Mayer and several
biotechnology companies.
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Living in Madison
Madison is a university city
with a population of about 208,000 in a magnificent physical setting
surrounded by five lakes. Its landscape is unique. Built on an isthmus
between two glacial lakes, Wisconsin's Capital City offers lake views
from nearly every Downtown location and all along the beautiful University
of Wisconsin Campus. Madison has been ranked as the "Best City
in the Nation" by "Money Magazine" and usually ends up
among the top ten cities in similar surveys with respect to the quality
of living. Such ranking is based on an unusually low crime rate, low
unemployment rate, excellent public transportation, the location and
infrastructure of the city, and many more criteria, including the intellectually
exciting environment throughout the city. Madison is a city of many
parks and recreational areas. The 1,200 acre arboretum and the Vilas
Park Zoo, one of the Midwest's best zoological gardens, are two remarkable
examples. Camp Randall Stadium is home to the Badgers, winners of the
1999 Rose Bowl and contenders for the 2000 Rose Bowl.
Madison is a literate, arts-oriented city featuring numerous concert,
dance, opera, and theater performances at the Union Theater on the University
Campus, Kohl Center, and the Dane County Coliseum. The city is home
to many fine musicians, and world-renowned guest artists perform on
a regular basis. The city possesses numerous art galleries. The Elvehjem
Museum of Art on the University Campus is just one example.
The brand-new Overture
Center opened September 2004. This new $200 million center was a
gift from the Frautschi family. This vision was for an integrated downtown
cultural arts district. The Overture Center encompasses a whole city
block and is only one block from the State Capitol.
The Monona Terrace Convention
Center on the shores of Lake Monona was designed by the master architect
Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938, being finally realized in 1997. The center
includes an auditorium, ballroom, and 42,300 square feet of exhibition
space.
Outdoor activities in the
Madison area are endless. In summer, hiking, biking, running, roller
skating, swimming, water-skiing, boating, sailing, wind surfing, bird
watching, golfing, fishing, hunting; in winter, ice skating, ice-fishing,
cross-country skiing, even telemark and downhill skiing as well as snow
boarding, are highly popular.
The University entertains excellent sports facilities, including several
indoor pools, the famous Nielsen Tennis Stadium for year-round indoor
tennis, and several sport centers with gyms and numerous courts for
basketball, volleyball, racquetball, squash, badminton, fencing, martial
arts, gymnastics, and many more. In summer, outdoor facilities for softball
and baseball, football, soccer, ultimate frisbee, tennis, beach ball
and volleyball, field and track, etc. are provided. In winter, many
indoor and outdoor ice arenas are maintained by the City and the University
for ice skating and ice hockey.
[Back
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Application
The Graduate Program in Molecular
and Cellular Pharmacology requires an undergraduate major in chemistry,
physics, engineering, or a biomedical science. The Admissions Committee
begins to evaluate complete applications by mid-late December. Applications
submitted by December 31 will gain full consideration. Applications
are available on-line at http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/appinstr.html.
Nominations for University and Graduate School Fellowships are due by
mid-January. In February and March, the most promising candidates are
invited to the Department for interviews with members of the faculty
and students. Usually students are required to notify the Program of
their decision by April 15. In certain cases, applications received
after these deadlines may be considered if the capacity of the Program
is not filled.
All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE), preferably in September or October of the year preceding admission
to ensure that scores will be available by December.
Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate
instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English
Language Testing System (IELTS).
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Paper
Based TOEFL
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Computer
Based TOEFL
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IELTS
|
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Minimum
w/out Dean’s approval or additional ESL
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580
(out of 677)
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237
(out of 300)
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7(out
of 9)
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Minimum
that requires Dean’s approval & additional ESL
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550
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213
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6
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*An admitted applicant whose
test-score is below the minimum must take an English assessment test
upon arrival. You must then register for any recommended English as
a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first semester you are enrolled.
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THE PROGRAM CANNOT WAIVE
APPLICATION FEES
Correspondence and Information:
Chairperson, Graduate Admissions Committee
Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
Room 3770 MSC
University of Wisconsin Medical School
1300 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706-1532
Telephone: (608) 262-9826
FAX: (608) 262-1257
E-mail: lsquire@wisc.edu
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