pharmaceutical science phd germany

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Doctorate Program

Medical Life Science and Technology (PhD-Program)

The PhD program in Medical Life Science and Technology provides high-level scientific training for students with a background in medicine, natural and life sciences or engineering.

Course Homepage

• 6 Semesters (Full Time)

Apply online via the website of the degree program

• Possible for both winter and summer semester
• Student Fees: 85.00 €

Information on Degree Program

Program profile.

This three-year program provides high-level scientific training for students with a background in medicine as well as for those with a background in natural and life sciences or engineering. We are looking for highly motivated applicants with a strong record of academic achievement and a keen interest in scientific research.

The PhD program in Medical Life Science and Technology consists primarily of an experimental scientific project that is performed in the laboratory of a faculty member. The practical work is complemented by interdisciplinary lectures, seminars and practical courses. About 50 research groups from various departments, working with a wide variety of techniques, actively participate in our program. The projects cover a diverse range of topics within and continuously expanding the boundaries of the program's main research areas: cardiovascular, imaging, immunology and infection, neuroscience, oncology and molecular medicine.

Medical students of the Technische Universität München can be admitted well before obtaining their final medical degree. In an attempt to improve their clinical-scientific education, they will be able to follow their regular medical studies and the training within the PhD program in parallel.

The PhD program is hosted by TUM School of Medicine and a part of the TUM Medical Graduate Center and therefore of the TUM Graduate School. All students will become members of the Graduate School and benefit from its offers, such as financial support for international research activities, free soft skills courses and manuscript proof-reading, to name just a few.

The goal of the program is to give our students a thorough scientific training and the tools to become successful and independent researchers.

Researcher, also in industry.

Program structure

In addition to the dissertation project, students will participate in lectures, practical courses, seminars and lab rotations relating to their projects. To accommodate the individual project schedules, students can choose when to take these classes. However, it is recommended that they sign up for classes during their first semesters in the program. Advice on how best to organize course schedules will be provided by the program coordinator on an individual basis.

Successful participation in classes is determined in several ways, including written or oral exams, presentations and reports. In order to graduate, 138 credit points are required in research work and 38 credit points in course work, 4 more credit points for defense.

Language of instruction

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills .

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

Information on study organization

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

Academic Regulations: Application, Studying and Exams

• General Academic and Examination Regulations
• Academic and Examination Regulations (PDF 387 KB)
• All regulations and legal framework concerning studies

Application and Admission

Application process.

We require applicants to either have successfully completed their medical studies or hold a Master's degree or Diplom in natural sciences, engineering, psychology or a related discipline or to be current medical students of the Technichal University of Munich. Medical students of the Technical University of Munich may apply after passing the first part of the "Ärztliche Prüfung". If accepted, these students will be able to alternatingly complete their MD and PhD training. Students who have successfully completed their Bachelor's degree and are currently enrolled in a Master's program at the Technical University of Munich can also apply and may be accepted under certain circumstances. These students will have to show proof of successful completion of their Master's degree within one year.

Documents required for the online application

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Degree Certificate and Diploma
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Transcript of Records
• Evidence of Preliminary Medical Examination
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your  country of origin . Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

Documents required for enrollment

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin . After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application deadlines

Application deadline for winter semester: 15.05. Application deadline for summer semester: 15.11. Prospective students apply via the website of the degree program .

Admission process

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program. 

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's and master’s program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are invited to an admissions interview.

• Information on the Aptitude Assessment (German)

TUM School of Medicine

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Questions about application and admission

Mail : studium spam prevention @tum.de Phone : +49 89 289 22245 In Person : Arcisstr. 21, Room 0144

Contact Hours

Central Student Advising

Arcisstr. 21,  Room 0144 80333 Munich

Mail: studium spam prevention @tum.de

Appointments must be arranged by phone in advance.

Departmental Student Advising

Raphaela Blum Ismaninger Str. 22 81675 München Tel. +49 89 4140 4338

Bettina Kratzer Ismaninger Str. 22 81675 München Tel. +49 89 4140 4461

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Online Application

Barrier-free education, frauenbeauftragte der fakultät, fachschaft medizin.

Pharmaceutical Sciences

The research in pharmaceutical sciences at the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology is focused on the development, investigation, and application of drugs and bioactive compounds, as well as on the elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms of action. It integrates experimental approaches of chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, pharmaceutics and clinical pharmacy. Main research areas of our institute include nucleic acids as tools and drug targets, development of new antiinfective drugs, research on neurodegenerative diseases as well as drug targeting and transport.

Supervising professors

Prof. dr. gert fricker, prof. dr. andres jäschke, prof. dr. christian klein, prof. dr. walter mier, prof. dr. ulrike müller, prof. dr. dominik niopek, prof. dr. philipp uhl, prof. dr. rebecca wade, prof. dr. stefan wölfl.

Contact person for PhD questions

Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy

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Institute of Pharmacy

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• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master's program - Pharmaceutical Sciences

<a href='/pharmazie/faecher/pharmakologie/msk/index.html' title='Read more'><h3>Research in the group of Prof. Schäfer-Korting</h3></a>

<a href='https://www.klinger-lab.de/' title='Read more'><h3>Research in the group of Prof. Klinger</h3></a>

<a href='/en/pharmazie/faecher/klinische_pharmazie/arbeitsgruppe_kloft/index.html' title='Read more'><h3>Research in the group of Prof. Kloft</h3></a>

Pharmaceutical Science is an interdisciplinary science   that covers a broad variety of topics including research, development, production, testing and use of medicines, their characterisation and their effects in drug therapy.  Pharmaceutical Science combines aspects of different natural sciences - mainly chemistry, biology and physics – with topics of medicine and therapy.  Specific subjects of this program include drug discovery and development, testing therapeutic compositions/formulations, investigating drug release systems, determination of drug effects and their monitoring/modelling in patients.

Throughout this program, students learn to deal with complex and current interdisciplinary problems of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development as well as therapeutic use of medicines by employing scientific methods.

The master’s program will provide graduates with deepened scientific knowledge and skills, thus laying the foundation for a career in pharmaceutical research and preparing them for further studies such as a PhD thesis.

Why study here?

So far, Freie Universität Berlin is the only university in Germany offering the master’s program in pharmaceutical research. Under excellent scientific conditions the master’s program prepares students for further research and development activities in the pharmaceutical industry or in scientific institutions.

25 pharmacy-phd positions in Germany

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PhD Position in (Bio)Chemistry or Pharmacy within MSCA Doctoral Network MMM, Gera and Ilmenau, Germany

19 Feb 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Biano GMP Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Other Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1

PhD Student - Nephrology (m/f/d)

PhD Student - Nephrology (m/f/d) Stellenanzeige merken Stellenanzeige teilen wanted from 01.06.2024 at the Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine for the Nephrology Lab. In collaboration with

PhD Student (f/m/d) Pre-clinical development and validation of Adapter-RevCAR‐T-cell-system for immunotherapy of melanoma / Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Biology

. At the Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research scientists (f/m/d) from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, pharmacy , immunology, medicine and IT develop innovative radiopharmaceuticals and novel

Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Metabolomics Core Technology Platform (f/m/d)

to manage and initiate cooperative projects PhD degree in analytical, biological, food chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy or comparable natural science discipline Scientific publishing

PhD candidate - Transmetabolic Oncology (f/m/x)

, the Research Unit Radiation Cytogenetics, seek for the new transformation Translational Metabolomic oncology a highly motivated Phd candidate (f/m/x). Prof. Matthias Tschöp (Dr. Med., Dr. hc.), CEO of Helmholtz

ERC Funded PhD and PostDoc Positions in Chemical Biology (f/m/d)

Infrastructure? No Offer Description The Sunbul research group at the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biology (IPMB), Heidelberg University (Germany) invites applications for PhD and PostDoc positions, funded

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) - HetExpress

elucidation of new compounds using state-of-the-art analytical methods. This multi-faceted project will enable the prospective PhD candidate to gain expertise in various biotechnological techniques and

2 PhD positions in the MSCA Doctoral Network “MobiliTraIN” (f/m/d)

23 Feb 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Free University Berlin Department Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) - Anti-infectivs from Microbiota

consortia applying diverse approaches and methods mainly from the field of biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. The PhD project META-NAT focusses on the identification of novel

PhD position. Tailored foldamers for the supramolecular sensing of carbohydrates

15 Feb 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Department Pharmacy Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1

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Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology

Pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacotherapy, the department of pharmacy.

The Department of Pharmacy with the four institutes is responsible for the study of pharmacy at the University of Düsseldorf.

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Study and Teaching

Staatsexamen pharmazie.

This site is only available in German language!

Industrial Pharmacy

The master course of Industrial Pharmacy is a world-leading study programme in English language covering all aspects of pharmaceutical sciences in an industrial setting.

Institutes and Departments

The key aspect of the studies at the Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology is the research for drugs of natural origin.

The studies of the Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry are primarily concerned with the chemical and biochemical research of drugs.

The major research topic of the Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics is the development, manufacturing and characterization of drug dosage forms.

The center of attention of the Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy is pharmaceutical topics in the clinical routine.

History of Pharmacy and Natural Sciences

The field of History of Pharmacy and National Sciences is a special feature in the Department of Pharmacy.

Research in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology focuses on the discovery and structural identification of new bioactive natural products from marine organisms, plants and endophytic fungi with emphasis on anti-tumor and antimicrobial compounds. New antibacterial agents from these as well as other sources are profiled in-depth regarding their efficacy against multi-resistant clinical isolates and mechanisms of action.

Current research of the Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry focusses on computational investigations on the molecular action of drugs, the synthesis of bioactive compounds, the search for new targets, as well as biomolecular screening methods for identification and testing of active compounds.

Major research topics at the Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics are solid dosage forms such as powders, granules, pellets and tablets. Manufacturing processes, drug preparations and pharmaceutical excipients are scientifically investigated and characterized. Utilizing these results the properties of medicinal products are significantly improved and precisely controlled. Paediatric drug formulations are a special focus of our research.

The Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy is at the intersection between pharmacy and medicine. In this respect, the department focusses on paediatric pharmacology and of the performance of paediatric clinical trials. To achieve this goal, tools like modeling and simulation of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of drugs in adults and children, highly sensitive and selective methods for the determination of drugs and metabolites from small volume blood samples (HPLC tandem-MS, HPLC with fluorescence or UV-detection) and standardized literature reviews (Cochrane) are used. The department is closely collaborating with national and international clinical and research paediatric departments. A special focus is set on cardio-vascular drugs.

Germany: 15 PhD Positions in pharmaceutical research on the MSCA Co-Fund Project 'TALENTS'

The TALENTS Graduate School is opening the call for applications for 15 PhD student positions (m/f/d) (100%) at Saarland University in Germany.

The local collaboration of the Saarland University, the University Hospital in Homburg and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland is aiming get more insight in the human microbiota in health  vs  disease as base to develop new drugs and therapies. The consortium comprises scientists from different fields, such as medicine, biology, natural products, medicinal chemistry, drug delivery and bioinformatics. Our approaches are to sample and model the microbiota, exploit the microbiota for finding natural producers and modifying the microbiota by specific drug (e.g., pathoblockers) or treatments (e.g., probiotics). All available PhD projects are described at www. talents-gradschool.eu.

The requirement of interdisciplinarity in our research is reflected by a team of two/three supervisors from diverse disciplines for each PhD student. Regular project meetings, intersectoral or international secondment, scientific and transferable skill courses contribute to a stimulating research environment and tailored training in professional skills.

We provide fully funded positions for 3 years with possible extension in an innovative research field. You can profit from our excellent, international and interdisciplinary research environment, state-of-the-art facilities and structured research training program to prepare you for a career in industrial or academic track. We are committed to equal opportunity and aim to increase diversity. Disabled persons are given preference in case of equal professional qualification.  

Eligibility

Applicants must have a master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant life science field (e.g., pharmacy, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics). They must be First Stage Researcher (R1) and comply with the mobility rule (must not have spent more than 12 months in Germany in the past 3 years).

Submission of a complete application within the submission deadline using the TALENTS submission portal is mandatory.

Selection process

The candidate selection will be done in the following steps:

• Eligibility check: eligibility criteria and timely, complete application submission
• Remote evaluation: short-listing of most qualified candidates based on the application documents
• Online interviews: selecting primary candidate from the four short-listed applicants based on the presentation and discussion
• Notification

Deadline is 15 May 2023 (20:00 CET). Selected candidates will start their PhD between September 2023 and 1 January 2024.

Contact 

Dr. Brigitta Loretz, e-mail:  [email protected]

Further details & Application

Freie Universität Berlin

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Institute of Pharmacy

Managing director.

• Prof. Jörg Rademann
• Prof. Burkhard Kleuser
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Disciplines

• Clinical Pharmacy
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• Pharmaceutical Sciences Master's Program

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• List of Universities

2729 Study programs

Study Pharmacy in Germany: 13 Universities with 14 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

With big pharmaceutical companies in Germany such as Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany is a hub for research and production for the pharma industry. Beyond that, work as a pharmacist in local pharmacies is a well respected and highly regarded profession. This high recognition of the profession creates good opportunities to study this subject in Germany.

There are slightly more than a handful of English-language Master’s programs in Pharmacy at German universities, but they still offer a broad and interesting variety of specializations: You may for example study the marketing side of pharmaceutical products, industrial pharmacy or the medical, chemical, and biotechnological side of this topic. Browse your options in the StudyFinder.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (8 programs for EU citizens/Non-EU)

€ 9,250 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between May 31 and March 31

Summer Semester

between May 31 and July 15

Top-ranked German Universities in Pharmacy

public University

No. of Students: approx. 36,000 students

Program Fees: € 2,250 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 38,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 37,000 students

Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for pharmacy in germany.

Kiel University Kiel

Medical life sciences.

University of Göttingen Göttingen

Chemistry [english & german track].

Cardiovascular Science

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2024

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

12 programs

13 programs

Application Requirements

Master degrees in Pharmacy accept students who gained a first academic degree in a related field such as Pharmaceutical Medicine, Chemistry or Biology or others, depending on each programs’ specifications. For most programs, entrance tests or interviews are not part of the admission process, you only have to hand in standard certificates (your first degree certificate, a transcript of records). These typically include your CV and a letter of motivation. Additionally, you will have to prove your English language abilities with a language certificate, typically on a B2 level.

Application Modes

Application process, chemistry [english track].

University of Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau

Biomedical sciences.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena Jena

Chemistry of materials.

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5 (1 program )

80 (4 programs )

B2 First (FCE) (4 programs )

6.5 (5 programs )

94 (1 program )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (3 programs )

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz / TU Darmstadt Mainz / Darmstadt

Soft matter and materials.

TU Bergakademie Freiberg Freiberg

Advanced materials analysis.

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences Idstein

Bioanalytical chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis - full time.

2-7 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Master of Business Administration

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Pharmacy

Freie Universität Berlin

Program Fees: € 0

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)

Goethe Business School

Program Fees: € 9,250

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Goethe University Frankfurt

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

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Find your PhD position in Germany

Before you start your search ....

Before you start your search you should know that there are different PhD models:

• Individual doctorate  or
• Structured PhD programmes

What's the difference? Check out our  overview of the various ways to do your PhD in Germany  

Find your individual doctorate

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor . This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but demands a high degree of  personal initiative  and responsibility.

How to find your PhD supervisor

In Germany there is no central admissions or selection office for doctoral students. Therefore, your first step is to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.

One way to find a supervisor is to look for a university institute that matches your area of research. The following online search engines might help you find a suitable supervisor:

• GERiT – German research institutions GERiT is a website containing information on approximately 29,000 research institutions in Germany. GERiT allows the user to search easily by location or subject. It provides all the information needed to choose an institution at which to research, study or do a doctorate. www.gerit.org
• Finding a PhD position PhDGermany publishes PhD openings in Germany that specifically target international applicants. Accordingly, in most cases the working language is English. Fluent knowledge of German is only required for certain special positions. PhDGermany helps you find the right PhD opening or supervisor for your doctoral thesis and assists you with the online application process. www.phdgermany.de
• Higher Education Compass   This database provides up-to-date information from universities about doctoral opportunities in Germany. The search engine enables you to carry out targeted searches on the basis of departments, admission requirements and form of doctoral thesis. www.higher-education-compass.de

Furthermore,  your contacts with your professors or previous university  could help direct you to a suitable department or potential supervisor in Germany.

It is also helpful to attend  academic conferences  in your own subject area. There you will be able to exchange information and make contacts ­– and perhaps even find a future PhD supervisor.

Find your structured PhD programme

DAAD/Ausserhofer/Himsel

Structured PhD programmes in Germany are frequently very similar to the PhD programmes in English-speaking countries, in which a  team of supervisors  look after a  group of doctoral students . Around 12,000 doctoral students from abroad – roughly one in four – do their PhDs in structured programmes. As a rule, it is possible to complete a doctorate in four to five years.

Where to find your PhD programme

There is no central database of all structured PhD programmes in Germany. You can usually find these programmes directly through the respective universities, graduate schools or non-university research institutions. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database is also a good place to look. Here you will find a large number of PhD programmes that are specially aimed at international doctoral students.

International doctoral programme database

Are you interested in an international doctoral programme in Germany? This DAAD database presents a selection of roughly 230 international doctoral programmes in Germany. The database can be searched according to different criteria.  www.daad.de/international-programmes 

Doctoral programmes at universities

Many universities offer structured doctoral programmes, which they publicise on their websites. The Student Advisory Service or Graduate Centre at the respective university will also provide help here. You can find the relevant addresses using the Higher Education Compass provided by the German Rectors’ Conference. www.higher-education-compass.de

​​​​​​​DFG-funded research training groups

Research training groups are also funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) for a period of up to nine years. Their key emphasis is on the qualification of doctoral researchers within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy. www.dfg.de > Current Research Training Groups

Helmholtz Research Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. In collaboration with various institutions of higher education, Helmholtz Association research centres have established structured PhD programmes under the auspices of Helmholtz Graduate Schools, Helmholtz Research Schools and Colleges.  www.helmholtz.de > PhD Candidates 

Leibniz Graduate Schools

The Leibniz Association connects 97 research institutes that conduct problem-oriented research and provide scientific infrastructure of national and international importance. Together with universities they run structured PhD programmes in Leibniz Graduate Schools. www.leibniz-association.eu > Leibniz Graduate Schools

International Max Planck Research Schools

The Max Planck Society specialises in innovative basic research and its institutes are able to offer up-and-coming researchers excellent infrastructure and support. The website lists the programmes available at International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS):  www.mpg.de > International Max Planck Research Schools  

Max Planck Schools

In Germany, the best researchers in a specific field are often work at different universities and non-university research institutions spread throughout the country. The Max Planck Schools serve as hubs which gather this distributed knowledge. Here, the brightest minds in their fields have come together from within the scientific community to interconnect in faculties made up of active researchers. Students gain access to these unique networks, learn in close personal exchange from leaders in their fields and their peers, and enjoy access to outstanding infrastructure. Currently, three Schools are operating in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. www.maxplanckschools.de

Where can I find out about requirements?

Application procedures  differ from programme to programme . The precise requirements and deadlines can be found on the website of the respective university, research training group or graduate school. You should therefore first choose a PhD programme and/or graduate school.

You've found the position you want to apply for, but how does applying to a potential supervisor or structured PhD programme work in Germany? Find out more here.

DAAD/Jan Zappner

We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists. These are some of the sites that may get you started.

DAAD/Uta Konopka

Check out our brochure

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.

Welcome to the homepage of the Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University!

Important general notice.

If you are the one who is interested in studying pharmacy or doing research at our university, you shall be the one to contact us! Neither your parents, nor your spouse, nor any other relatives, nor a friend or colleague who already lives in Germany!

Undergraduate studies

All undergraduate courses are held in German! Knowledge of the German language is therefore essential for studying Pharmacy at our university. Moreover, you can not obtain a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy at our university, but a state examination.

If you have already studied pharmacy (or other natural sciences) and you would like to continue studying pharmacy in Germany, please follow these instructions (in German).

Please address any other questions concerning admission to the Registration Office ( Studierendensekretariat ) or to the International Office, not to the Department of Pharmacy! You can find some more information and contact data on the University website .

If you are interested in doing a research project (with supervision in English), please contact one of our professors directly.

Master and PhD studies

You have the opportunity to obtain a Master of Science degree in Pharmacy at our university. Read more

A Master degree does not grant you the licence to work as a pharmacist in Germany! If you would like to work as a pharmacist in Germany, please read the following section.

If you are interested in a PhD studentship, please directly contact the faculty member who matches your scientific interests and might therefore potentially accept you as a group member. You can find the contact information in the list below.

Working as a pharmacist in Germany

If you already have a degree in Pharmacy in your country, please consult the ABDA website for more information about how to obtain a licence to work as a pharmacist in Germany. The responsible local authority in Saarland is the Zentralstelle für Gesundheitsberufe .

The university does not grant licences to work as a pharmacist in Germany! However, you only need the licence to work in a pharmacy, hospital pharmacy or in certain positions in pharmaceutical industry. You do not need the licence to do Master or PhD research.

Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland

If you are interested in further research activities in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Saarbrücken, take a look at the website of the Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland . Master and PhD studies are possible at this institute as well.

Research groups

Pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, prof. dr. christian ducho.

Professor of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry

Bldg. C2 3 Ground floor

Prof. Dr. Claus Jacob

Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry

Bldg. B2 1 1st floor

Prof. Dr. Anna K. H. Hirsch

Head of the Department Drug Design and Optimization (DDOP) at the HIPS Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Saarland University

Bldg. E8 1 2nd floor

Prof. Dr. Alexander Titz

Head of the Department Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates (CBCH) at the HIPS Professor of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry at Saarland University

Pharmaceutical Biology

Prof. dr. alexandra k. kiemer.

Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology

Bldg. C2 3 2nd floor

Prof. Dr. Andriy Luzhetskyy

Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Bldg. C2 3 1st floor

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Rolf Müller

Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) Head of the Department Microbial Natural Products (MINS) at the HIPS Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University

Bldg. E8 1 3rd floor

Biopharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology

Prof. dr. marc schneider.

Professor of Biopharmacy und Pharmaceutical Technology

Bldg. C4 1 1st floor

Prof. Dr. Claus-Michael Lehr

Head of the Department Drug Delivery (DDEL) at the HIPS Professor of Biopharmacy und Pharmaceutical Technology at Saarland University

Bldg. E8 1 1st floor

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sangeun Lee

Junior Professor of Pharmaceutical Materials and Processing

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Prof. dr. markus r. meyer.

Professor of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology Faculty of Medicine, Homburg

Bldg. 46 (Homburg) 1st floor

Clinical Pharmacy

Prof. dr. thorsten lehr.

Professor of Clinical Pharmacy

Bldg. C5 3 and C4 1

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Top 8 German Universities to Study Pharmacy

Studying Pharmacy is a dream for numerous students around the world. For those who aim Germany as an international experience offering great study environments, innovative and accessible practice laboratories, highly grated professors and researchers and low tuition costs the choice won’t bring any regrets. Pharmacy is an important part of the healthcare chain presenting a broad job market for those who successfully accomplish the title and right to be part of this ginormous circuit. According to Zeit Online rankings for the year 2013/2014, several criteria chosen carefully are presented in order to choose for the best German University to study Pharmacy. Among the pool of standards expected to be met, I chose the following five in order to come up with a list of best accomplished Universities in Germany to study Pharmacy.

• Laboratories – Students in Medicine and Natural Sciences assessed the availability and state of laboratory workstations.
• Support for stays abroad – Students assessed the attractiveness of the exchange programme, the attractiveness of the partner universities, the sufficiency of the number of exchange places, support and guidance in preparing the stay abroad, financial support (scholarships, exemption from study fees), the accreditation of studies performed abroad and the integration of the stay abroad into studies (no time loss caused by stay abroad).
• Research Reputation – Which tertiary institutions are the leading ones according to the opinion of the professors in research? Naming the own tertiary institution was not taken into consideration.
• Study Organization – Students assessed amongst other things the completeness of the courses offered in respect of the study regulations, the access opportunities to compulsory events and the co-ordination of the courses offered with the examination regulations
• Job Market Preparation – Students assessed the programs offered by their college to promote the relevance to the professional field and jobs market. This includes information events on professional fields and the jobs market, specific programs and lectures to provide job relevant and subject comprehensive qualifications, support in looking for work placements, arranging Diplom work subjects in co-operation with the world of work help when looking for a job after completing studies.

Zeit Online based the criteria on the students, alumni and professor judgments randomly questioned as well as fact and accurate data. The following list comprises of eight German Universities that popped to meet the selected criteria with flying colors, making for this year’s best choice to study the designated field.

TU BRAUNSCHWEIG

Pharmacy has been taught at TU Braunschweig since 1835. Today, the campus hosts over 600 pharmacy students. It is one of largest centers of pharmacy among German universities and the only one in the state of Lower Saxony. The study of pharmacy centers around the scientific bases of medical drugs ranging from the preparation of bioactive substances, their chemical analysis and pharmaceutical formulation to their effects on humans. Students also gain insight into different aspects of current research carried out at the pharmaceutical institutes under the common research focus “Bioactive molecules and drug development”. Major research themes include, for example, rational drug design, molecular pharmacology of cardiovascular diseases, and the development of colloidal microparticlesas drug delivery systems and the biotechnology of bioactive compounds from plants.

MARBURG UNIVERSITY

Philipps-Universität is not only a German university drenched in tradition, but also the oldest university in the world. It started as a Protestant institution in 1527. For nearly five centuries now the University has served as THE place of research and teaching.  Currently there are nearly 25,000 students studying in Marburg of which 12 percent come from all over the world.  Except for the engineering departments, the University hosts almost all the other scientific fields of study. The different disciplines are assigned to different faculties. Philipps-Universität is considered to be the cradle of prosperity and emancipation in the Marburg region of Germany.

GREIFSWALD  UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1456, the University of Greifswald was and is one of the oldest academic institutions in Europe taking pride in decades of tradition.  Over 12,000 students from all over the world receive the most modern academic guide ways and exciting research opportunities in a learning- friendly environment. Research priorities at the University of Greifswald are in the life sciences, physics and geosciences, cultural interaction in the Baltic/Nordic region, as well as law and economics. The students engage in inter-disciplinary collaborations across faculties and aim for excellence in both research and teaching.

FRANKFURT UNIVERSITY

Goethe University Frankfurt, positioned among the top international research universities, offers a wide variety of academic programs, a diverse group of research institutes, and a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex problems. The university is named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Frankfurt-born polymath renowned for his exceptional contributions to literature, science, and philosophy. In the department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, 32 professors are involved in research and teaching. They are supported by 215 permanent members of staff and are involved in teaching for more than 1.850 undergraduate and 500 PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in four different subjects: Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Study at GISMA University of Applied Sciences

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FREIBURG UNIVERSITY

Among the great study conditions and circumstances the University of Freiburg offers a great practical approach to its students. The pharmaceutical bioinformatics lab at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences develops algorithms and software for pharmaceutical research. The fields of research at this institution include the modeling of molecular interactions, prediction of biological effects of molecules, and identification of potential new drug agents. Also, different reactions and effects of therapeutics can be analyzed and explained. A further area of work in the lab is the evaluation of the vast amounts of data, produced by up-to-date measurement methods and processes of systems biology.

KIEL UNIVERSITY

Situated in the city of Kiel Germany, the University of Kiels foundations go way back 1665. The institution was found and established as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. There are approximately 24,000 students studying in the University of Kiel today. The University of Kiel is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The Institute of Pharmacy belongs to the department of Pharmacy and is divided into the sub-departments Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics and Bio pharmaceutics.

WURZBURG UNIVERSITY

Interdisciplinary research training is the key to the success of tomorrow’s life scientists, as the motto of the University states. The University of Würzburg provides a world class environment of research institutions, which have a long and successful tradition of cooperation across faculties. The Graduate School of Life Science results from a common initiative of the Faculties of Biology, Medicine, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Physics, and Philosophy. It is this interdisciplinary spirit that propelled Würzburg to among the top four German Universities in the Life Sciences.

The Institute of Pharmacy at Freie Universität Berlin is one of the largest pharmaceutical training facilities in Germany. In Berlin-Brandenburg Freie Universität is the only university that has the discipline of pharmacy. Teaching and research are carried out in the fields of pharmaceutical biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical technology. The institute focuses on drug development and testing, the analysis of natural substances, alternative testing methods, and innovative drug delivery systems.

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CU Campuses

Cu anschutz medical campus.

• CU Colorado Springs
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Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

At CU Pharmacy, we’re training scientists who make an impact. Our doctoral program in pharmaceutical sciences is focused on solving problems. In particular, the program covers the formulation, synthesis, manufacturing, development, stability, biophysical analysis, characterization, delivery, and biodistribution of small molecules and biopharmaceutical agents.

Our goals are to provide the best training for students interested in pursuing careers in biopharmaceutical drug development; conduct high-quality research relevant to pharmaceutical biotechnology; offer innovative educational programs; and to support the biopharmaceutical industry, especially in Colorado.

Here, you’ll have access to a wide range of researchers and research equipment; cross-training with chemical engineers; essential non-scientific training in regulatory affairs, business topics and pharmacoeconomics; experience with real world compounds and research and development problems; and interaction with industry scientists.

We have a strong track record of setting our students up for success. Graduates of our program have advanced into successful careers as senior scientists in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. We’re here to make sure you have the training you need to pursue a career in drug and biopharmaceutical discovery, development or clinical optimization.

As part of the CU Anschutz Graduate School, all PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed financial support.

All regular full-time departmental faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences are formal members of the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program and can take students into their laboratories if appropriate.

On average, students in this program earn their PhDs in 5.5 years.

Applications for all doctoral programs are submitted electronically through the Graduate School of the University of Colorado Denver. After signing up for an account, select 'PhD' under the 'Academic Interests' menu and scroll down to 'Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences' and select "PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences."

Application requirements are:

• A completed Graduate School application and $50.00 application fee (Domestic) $75.00 application fee (International)
• A baccalaureate degree of arts or science from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.** One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date with awarded baccalaureate degree. University transcripts from other countries must include a transcript evaluation from World Education Services ( WES ). Applicants who complete a transcript evaluation with WES will have their application fee waived automatically.
• All applicants for the program should complete a year of study in the following subjects: general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, biology, English and physics. In addition, courses in the following subjects are highly recommended to supplement the student's background: physiology, biochemistry, statistics, cell biology, physical chemistry, and computer science.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors familiar with your aptitude for graduate study

Additionally:

• The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required but is optional.
• The TOEFL is required of applicants for whom English is not their first language, Duolingo and IELTS also accepted (more information on this here )
• Please use 4875 as the Institution Code so that the test results will be sent directly to our institution
• Under special circumstances, deficiencies in important areas may be made up within the first year after entrance into the program. Normally, admission to the program will be based on an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. However, applicants' recommendations, research experience and additional individual accomplishments will also be considered in the admissions process.

Application opens September 1, 2023. Applications will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. The application deadline for Fall 2024 admission is December 1, 2023 for all students.

Admission to the program includes financial support via a stipend awarded on a 12-month basis. Based on the rules of the CU Anschutz Graduate School, all PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed financial support.

Although a priority of the School of Pharmacy is to provide financial support to our graduate students, payment of stipend, tuition and any fees by the School of Pharmacy or by grants, contracts or gifts to the School of Pharmacy faculty is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the graduate school’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Handbook ) and completion of required teaching duties, core courses, research rotations, seminars, and examinations (as listed on the progress report form). We also reserve the right to review and adjust our funding policies at any time. All students are expected to work full-time toward program requirements for 12 months of the year.

Is the GRE required to apply?

What kind of students should pursue a phd degree in pharmaceutical sciences.

We are looking for bright, self-motivated people with degrees in chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, biochemistry, pharmacy and other related areas in biomedical science, who want a satisfying career connected with the pharmaceutical industry. This may involve working for a company, a federal laboratory, or an academic institution.

Just what does 'pharmaceutical sciences' mean?

Pharmaceutical sciences is a multi-disciplinary approach to solving problems associated with improving drug therapy for patients. It includes designing and synthesizing new drugs, developing new analytical methods to determine the purity and quality of therapeutic agents, finding better ways to deliver the drug to a patient, minimizing side effects, and assessing the activity and stability of drug compounds. Classically, pharmaceutical sciences was defined by the sub-disciplines of pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, but most modern research problems cross these traditional boundaries. In short, a graduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences is an ideal choice for anyone who wishes to work on developing new drug products and devices.

What makes the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program at the University of Colorado different than other PhD programs?

Emphasis on biotechnology.

Different graduate programs have different strengths. While one might come to the University of Colorado to pursue studies in any aspect of the pharmaceutical sciences, the real strength of our Pharmaceutical Sciences program lies in its emphasis on the use of quantitative, biophysical methods to address issues in pharmaceutical biotechnology. Pharmaceutical biotechnology describes a course of study that uses molecular biology, biophysical chemistry, and bioengineering methods to prepare and develop sophisticated therapeutic and diagnostic agents. These materials include recombinant proteins, vaccines, oligonucleotides, and gene therapy approaches. Students who pursue studies in pharmaceutical biotechnology might examine the stabilization of proteins and/or nucleic acids during storage, improved methods of drug delivery, analytical assay development, mutational effects on protein structure and function, molecular biology approaches to drug therapy, novel vaccines, bioprocessing, or formulation development. Students are required to take a core curriculum that reflects these areas of research. This effort has been strengthened by the formation of the Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, which is centered on a partnership between chemical engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the School of Pharmacy.

The Opportunity to Work on 'Real World' Problems

Today's biotechnology products are quite complex. Therefore, it is advantageous for students to have the opportunity to work with therapeutic agents that are in development or on the market. Due to the generosity of industrial collaborators, students in our program have access to recently-discovered drug candidates before these compounds are marketed as commercial pharmaceuticals. Each year, industrial sponsors provide millions of dollars worth of compounds for research purposes.

Partnering with Industry

In order to facilitate interactions, we have established the Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, which promotes graduate education and research opportunities by partnering with the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry. These interactions often result in the student participating in an industrial internship with a scientific mentor from the company.

Training in Financial and Legal Aspects of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Since most of our students ultimately are employed in a highly regulated industry affected by market pressures, all of our graduate students take courses covering regulatory affairs (i.e., the drug approval process), patent law, intellectual property issues, pharmaceutical marketing, and financial analysis. These skills are essential, but rarely found in other PhD programs. For students who wish to focus on these issues, we have established a separate PhD track in pharmaceutical Outcomes within the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program. Students interested in pursuing Outcomes research should view the Outcomes Research webpage.

What are the job prospects for a graduate with a PhD degree in the pharmaceutical sciences?

Considering the unique strengths of our program, someone who is successful and productive in our program will find a high demand for their talents. Most of our students find jobs with large pharmaceutical companies or smaller biotechnology enterprises. Typically, our students have multiple job offers awaiting them upon graduation.

Required Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Courses

Representative elective courses.

Through the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program, our goal is to educate pre-doctoral students to develop independent research careers in pharmaceutical sciences with a basic, clinical or pharmaceutical outcomes emphasis. Upon completion of the graduate program, our students use their training to make a difference in academia, industry or government. The learning objectives for the graduate program are:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biomedical sciences.
• Understand the current concepts in basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences.
• Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature.
• Formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field and design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects.
• Present research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a dissertation.
• Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues.

School of Pharmacy Graduate Degree Requirements

The following are specific rules approved by the graduate faculty of the School of Pharmacy for graduate studies leading to doctor of philosophy degree in toxicology. All other requirements for these degrees will follow the guidelines of the Graduate School, which can be found in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Handbook . The student carries the major responsibility of meeting the rules of the School of Pharmacy and the Graduate School. Failure to meet the following rules and guidelines may result in delay of graduation. ​

Student Progress Reviews

Each student will meet at least every six months with their temporary/thesis committee (starting the week before classes begin in the first year) in order to keep the committee apprised of all aspects of the student’s progress. A progress report form listing the requirements will be maintained in the School of Pharmacy graduate program file for each student.

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange meetings with his/her committee, and ensure that the deadlines listed on the progress report form are fulfilled. After fulfilling each requirement, it is required that the student make certain that the progress report form is updated by the committee chair.

Student Committees

Temporary Committees

The graduate program committee will appoint temporary committees for new students to serve for the first year. Each committee will consist of at least two full-time faculty from the School of Pharmacy. Each student will meet with their temporary committee the week before classes begin, and in March and September of the first year of the graduate program.

Thesis Committees

Students will choose the chair of their thesis committee subsequent to the successful completion of the preliminary examination and selection of a major advisor (at the end of the first year). The student’s major advisor cannot serve as chair of the thesis committee. The student together with the chair and major advisor will choose other members from the faculty of the school and at least one from outside the school who will serve on the thesis committee.

Thesis committees must consist of at least five faculty members, and will meet with the student every six months, starting in September at the beginning of the student’s second year. The graduate program director must approve the make-up of the thesis committee. The graduate program director will fill vacancies as they arise or make replacements when necessary, with consideration given to student/advisor recommendations.

Thesis committees shall evaluate the student’s progress to ensure that she or he has made satisfactory progress since the previous meeting. Upon calling the meeting to order, the Committee Chair will ask the student to leave the room to obtain feedback from the advisor regarding student progress. Upon completion, the student will be asked to return to the room and the thesis advisor will leave the room to obtain private feedback from the student regarding issues that might exist in terms of interactions with the advisor. It is also the responsibility of the committee chair to complete an on-line evaluation form summarizing the student’s progress. In case of a non-satisfactory performance, steps required to rectify the situation should be suggested in the report.

Doctor of Philosophy

In order to graduate, a student must satisfactorily complete the requirements described in A through H below as well as adhering to all requirements of the CU Anschutz Graduate School as defined in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Handbook .

A. Coursework and General Requirements

A program of study with required core courses will be designed by the chair of the temporary/thesis committee to accommodate the student’s long-range goals, possible undergraduate deficiencies, immediate research interests and the requirements of the Graduate School. A minimum of 30 semester hours of courses numbered 5000 or above is required for the degree. In addition to the coursework and requirements described below, students are expected to attend all seminars associated with the graduate program in pharmaceutical sciences. Also, each year the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences hosts a research retreat. Attendance at the retreat is mandatory, unless the program director permits the absence for overriding personal reasons. A presentation (oral or poster) by each student at the retreat is required.

B. Research Rotations

All PhD students must satisfactorily complete one research rotation in each of the fall and spring semesters of their first year. It is expected that the student will meet with his/her temporary committee the week before classes start in the fall semester to determine an appropriate research rotation for the ensuing fall semester. A research rotation is one semester in length, and the student must be housed in the lab in which the rotation is conducted. The student will present his/her research findings from each rotation in seminars (20 mins) to the graduate faculty (date arranged in advance by the director of the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program). In cases where a student opts for a third research rotation in the summer, a third rotation seminar is not required.

C. Seminars

In addition to rotation seminars and semiannual presentations to the thesis committee, all students enrolled in the program must present a thesis seminar to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences that describes the findings from his/her thesis research. The thesis seminar is normally performed at the end of their PhD program.

D. Preliminary Examination

Each student will be required to undergo a preliminary examination during the summer of their first year in the program. This examination will consist of two half-day written examinations during the summer session. Selected faculty will contribute questions to the exam primarily focusing on the first year’s coursework. Students will be given the general topic areas for the exam questions at least one month prior to the examination date.

The director of the graduate program will be responsible for coordinating and administrating the examination. The preliminary examination is intended to test the student’s assimilation and understanding of material presented in coursework, and assess his/her ability to complete a doctoral–level course of study. It is expected that students will satisfactorily answer each question, but students are permitted to remediate one question if his/her answer is judged to be inadequate by the faculty member providing the question. In these instances, the individual faculty member will decide what constitutes appropriate remediation, and completion of remediation will be reported to the graduate program chair. Students that unsatisfactorily answer two or more preliminary examination questions will be dismissed from the graduate program.

E. Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination will be administered by the chair of the student’s thesis committee. This committee must include the major advisor and at least four other members of the graduate faculty. At least one of the five members must be from outside the School. The comprehensive examination will serve as the formal test for admission to candidacy for the PhD degree and can only be taken after completion of 30 semester hours of graduate credit. The comprehensive examination will be completed by September 31 of the third year, after formal coursework is completed.

The examination shall consist of a written examination as well as an oral examination. The suggested format of the examination is for each faculty member to administer a separate written examination that can be completed within one day. The student should meet with members of the thesis committee individually to discuss the topic areas for the comprehensive examination. After the written portion of the comprehensive exam, students should meet with each member of the thesis committee to discuss the student’s performance on the written questions. It is expected that any weaknesses will be addressed in the oral portion of the exam that is to be taken within two weeks after completion of the written portion. Possible outcomes of the comprehensive examination are in accord with the CU Anschutz Graduate School rules and are Pass, Pass with Conditions, and Fail. A failed student may not continue in the program.

F. Thesis Proposal

In order to facilitate the partnership between the student and his/her Thesis Committee, students are required to submit a written thesis proposal that will subsequently be presented orally to the thesis committee. The written proposal is typically approximately 10 pages in length (single-spaced, not including references), and submitted to the thesis committee at least two weeks prior to the oral presentation. The precise format of the written proposal is left to the committee, but it should be a brief, well written document describing the overall research plan for the student’s thesis and include relevant preliminary data. It is expected that the student’s major advisor will have previewed and edited the written proposal prior to its distribution to the rest of the thesis committee. The oral presentation of the thesis proposal to the thesis committee must be completed by March 31 of the student’s third year in the program.

After presentation and approval of the thesis proposal, the student will update the members of his/her thesis committee on the progress toward completion of the thesis research at the semiannual meetings in March and September of each year. It is expected that members of the thesis committee will provide feedback and discuss potential problems at these semiannual meetings.

G. Thesis Research

All PhD candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a research thesis. This work should be of sufficient scope and quality to result in a significant contribution to the literature. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of thesis work. See the rules of the Graduate School describing time restrictions for submitting the finished thesis. A copy of the thesis must be submitted to the student’s thesis committee at least two weeks prior to the thesis defense. It is expected that the student’s major advisor will preview and edit the thesis prior to distribution to the rest of the thesis committee.

H. Thesis Defense

After submission of the thesis to the thesis committee, a seminar describing the thesis research will be presented by the student to the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Immediately following the oral presentation and questions from the attendees, the student will be examined separately by his/her thesis committee. Any changes to the thesis must be approved by the Thesis Committee prior to submission of the final thesis to the Graduate School. Although it is fully expected that problems with the thesis research will be addressed prior to the thesis defense, the thesis committee can require further research to be conducted before final approval of the thesis.

Summary schedule of degree requirements:

• First Year: Research rotations (2), rotation seminars (2), coursework, preliminary exam, selection of major advisor.
• Second Year: Commence thesis research, selection of thesis committee, coursework.
• Third Year: Comprehensive examination, thesis proposal.
• Prior to Completion: Submit written thesis to thesis committee, thesis defense.

Stipend, Insurance, Tuition and Fees

Although a priority of the School of Pharmacy is to provide financial support to its graduate students, stipend, tuition and fees for graduate studies in the School of Pharmacy are the sole responsibility of the student. Payment of stipend, tuition and any fees by the School of Pharmacy or by grants, contracts or gifts to the School of Pharmacy Faculty is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Handbook ) and completion of required core courses, seminars, research rotations and examinations.

The School of Pharmacy also reserves the right to review and adjust its funding policies at any time. Stipends are awarded on a 12-month basis. All students are expected to work toward program requirements for 12 months of the year.

Probationary Status and Suspension

Continuation in the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program is dependent upon satisfactory academic progress as defined by:

• Timely and satisfactory completion of pharmaceutical sciences graduate program requirements (A-H above).
• Adherence to all policies, rules and regulation of the School of Pharmacy.

Students who do not remain in good graduate standing (3.0 GPA or above) or maintain satisfactory academic progress are placed on academic probation. Probation and suspension policies are described in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Student Handbook .

Payment of stipend, tuition, insurance and fees for a student while on academic probation is at the discretion of the graduate program committee.

Rajesh Agarwal PhD

Tom Anchordoquy BS, MA, PhD

Peter Anderson PharmD

Christina Aquilante PharmD

David Bain PhD

John Carpenter PhD

Carlos Catalano PharmD, PhD

Shaodong Dai PhD

Melanie Joy PharmD, PhD

Uday Kompella PhD, FARVO, FAAPS

Daniel LaBarbera PhD

Krishna Mallela PhD

Vanessa Phelan PhD

Philip Reigan PhD

Nichole Reisdorph PhD

Laura Saba PhD

Robert Scheinman PhD

Dmitri Simberg PhD

For questions regarding graduate school programs contact:.

Isabella Jaramillo Email:  [email protected]     Phone:  303.724.7263 ​​​​​

CU Anschutz

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

12850 East Montview Boulevard

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-2882

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International Programmes 2023/2024

Master of Science Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmazeutische Forschung MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmazeutische Forschung

Freie universität berlin • berlin.

• Course details
• Costs / Funding
• Requirements / Registration

Courses are held in English.

Application and registration period: 24 April – 31 May (for the winter semester) and 1 December – 15 January (for the summer semester)

Pharmaceutical Science is an interdisciplinary study programme that covers a broad variety of topics involved in the development and testing of medicinal products. This will give students an insight into pharmaceutical research that combines aspects of different natural sciences - mainly chemistry, biology and physics – with medicinal topics. Specific subjects of this programme include drug discovery and development, testing therapeutic compositions/formulations, investigating drug release systems and determination of drug effects.

Throughout this programme, students learn to deal with complex and current interdisciplinary problems of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development by using scientific methods. The course of study will provide the students with the necessary knowledge, capabilities and methodology to engage in scientific work and to critically assess scientific findings in an independent and responsible way.

• Key skills in pharmaceutical research (lecture, seminar) – only summer semester
• Current areas of pharmaceutical research (lecture, seminar) – only winter semester
• Pharmaceutical research project (seminar, practical workshop)
• Master’s thesis

In total, the semester contribution amounts to 312.89 EUR. It includes a fee of 198.80 EUR for the transportation ticket contribution. This allows you to use public transportation in Berlin for free. Other costs covered by the semester contribution include a 50 EUR enrolment fee, a 54.09 EUR semester contribution to the student support service ("studierendenWERK Berlin"), and a 10 EUR contribution to the student union.

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. However, the cost of living has also risen somewhat in Germany in recent years. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are slightly above the EU average. You will need around 950 to 1,200 EUR each month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is monthly rent, which is between 400 and 700 EUR in Berlin.

The admission requirement for the Master’s programme is a German or comparable foreign higher education graduation certificate in pharmacy, food chemistry, medical chemistry, human biology, medicine, veterinary medicine or a related degree in the natural sciences with a standard study period of at least eight semesters or comprising of 240 credit points (CP).

The equivalence of the presented proof for fulfilment of the admission requirements is decided by the Examination Committee of the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy responsible for the Master’s programme.

Applicants whose higher education graduation certificate was not achieved at an educational institute where English was the language of study must demonstrate English language ability sufficient to meet the requirements of Level B2 of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Applicants are free from proving ability in the German language.

Applicants with a German degree: https://registration.ecampus.fu-berlin.de/selector/fu_master-de/

Applicants with non-German degree: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/bewerbung/master/konsekutive-masterstudiengaenge/uni-assist/index.html

There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as waiting staff, academic assistants, or private tutors. Knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job, but it isn’t necessarily required. However, it is important to be aware of the legal regulations.

The student support service at the university, called studierendenWERK Berlin, and the local representative of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students. When searching for a job, look at online job boards, ads in local newspapers, and notice boards on campus.

You have the option to stay in a public/private student dormitory or in a private (shared) apartment. Student dormitories are not administrated by the university itself, so Freie Universität Berlin does not have any on-campus housing. However, it works together with " studierendenWERK Berlin " regarding student accommodation.

If you do not wish to stay in a student dormitory, you can try to find a room or an apartment on the private housing market. Many students in Berlin live in shared apartments ("WGs"). You can find these offers online (e.g. WG-gesucht  or Craigslist ) or on notice boards on campus.

Available rooms/apartments near the university are rare. Therefore, students mostly commute from other parts of the city. The commute via public transportation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, which is considered a normal travel time in Berlin due to the city's size.

There is support for international students or doctoral candidates.

Freie Universität Berlin

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Higher Education Compass

Pharmaceutical sciences full time, master of science.

Master Degree

4 semesters

Standard period of study (amount)

No information

Overview and admission

Admission semester.

Winter Semester only

Area of study

Pharmacy, Pharmacology

Target group

Admission modus.

Selection procedure / qualifying examination

Admission requirements

Suitable certificate of academic degree in natural sciences\; Aptitude assessment procedure\; Contact the department for details

Lecture period

• 16.10.2023 - 09.02.2024
• 15.04.2024 - 19.07.2024

Languages of instruction

Main language.

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. Kennedyallee 50 53175 Bonn

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Where discoveries are delivered. SM

Ph.D. Program in 'Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development'

Graduate education in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development (PSDD) provides training in research strategies in the design and development of novel therapeutic agents to improve human life in disease and health. The PSDD training area will provide translational sciences research training that bridges basic sciences and clinical research for the purpose of addressing the world’s challenges in unmet therapeutic needs. Research in pharmaceutical sciences encompasses multi-faceted, interdisciplinary drug development research.

Training in PSDD for the Ph.D degree with the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program is described at:  https://biomedsci.ucsd.edu/training-areas/molecular-pharmacology.html

This web site includes information for student applications to the PSDD Ph.D program.

Ph.D Training in ‘Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development’ (PSDD)

Faculty Leader Contact:

Vivian Hook ([email protected])

Summary of PSDD Research Training

The Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development (PSDD) training area is a unique joint effort between the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS), the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), Center for Drug Discovery Innovation (cDDI), the UCSD Drug Development Pipeline , the Center for Compound Resources, the Center for Computer-Aided Drug Design, with programs of the School of Medicine , School of Engineering , and UC BRAID . The overall goal of this training area is to provide students with a visionary perspective on the drug discovery and development process.

Graduate education in “Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development” (PSDD) provides training in research strategies in the design and development of novel therapeutic agents to improve human life in disease and health.  The PSDD training area will provide translational sciences research training that bridges basic sciences and clinical research for the purpose of addressing the world’s challenges in unmet therapeutic needs to improve human lives.  Research in pharmaceutical sciences encompasses multi-faceted, interdisciplinary drug development research in (a) design and discovery of drug molecules targeted to regulators of disease processes, including marine natural products, (b) in vitro and in vivo efficacy of candidate drug therapies, (c) chemical optimization by medicinal chemistry approaches, (d) drug pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics in ADME research based on drug delivery strategies, (e) safety and toxicity of drug molecules, and (f) advanced analytical technologies of drug molecule properties.  Graduate students will be trained in these disciplines through a complete curriculum and state-of-the-art research strategies for drug development.  Faculty of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) and the BMS program will train students in the area of PSDD.  PSDD training will provide students with exciting opportunities in the professional field to become leaders in academic, government, private industry, biotechnology, and related areas to advance innovative drug development via pharmaceutical sciences research.

PhD degree:

Students apply for admissions to the UCSD ‘Biomedical Graduate Program’ (BMS) for training by faculty in ‘Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development (PSDD).  Research training in PSDD is associated with the BMS areas of ‘Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery’.   Graduate students of the BMS program deveop their Individual Development Plans (IDP) with faculty advisors of the program.  The IDP plans the research, coursework, and degree requirements for the student.

How to Apply

Training Areas

Individual Development Plans

PharmD/PhD degree:

First year pharmacy students can pursue the PharmD/PhD degree by conducting 3 research rotations with faculty on research topics of PSDD during years 1-2 of the pharmacy curriculum.  Pharmacy students in their 2nd year can apply for admissions for the PhD program of the Biomedical Sciences graduate program at UCSD (see previous paragraph).  See information about the dual PharmD/Ph.D degree at

https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/degree-programs/dual-pharmd-phd-program

Core Graduate Courses in ‘Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development’

SPPS 263A   Principles in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development: Pre-Clinical Drug Discovery and Development

PPS 263B     Principles in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development: Pre-Clinical to Clinical Drug Development

Courses in Selected Areas of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development

SPPS 226     Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

SPPS 219     Pharmacogenomics

SPPS 222     Pharmaceutical and Physical Chemistry

SPPS 223     Pharmaceutical Biochemistry

SPPS 224     Biopharmaceutics

SPPS 225     Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems

SPPS 268     Systems Mass Spectrometry

SPPS 281     Medicinal Aspects of Natural Products

Faculty in Drug Discovery & Development in Pharmaceutical Sciences