Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics
Join a dynamic Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis in pharmaceutics, where you'll engage in cutting-edge research to identify, understand, and solve challenges in drug delivery through advanced dosage form design.
About this Emphasis
The Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences with an emphasis in pharmaceutics offers unparalleled research opportunities in the science of developing safe and effective medications. Pharmaceutics plays a crucial role in dosage form design, transforming new chemical entities into pharmaceutical products that can be safely used by patients. This dynamic field spans everything from understanding the physical and chemical properties of drug substances to formulating them into various dosage forms, evaluating their performance in both laboratory and clinical settings, and developing efficient manufacturing processes.
In our Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, you’ll work alongside renowned faculty with expertise in a wide range of drug delivery systems, including solid and liquid oral forms, topical applications, and advanced techniques like transdermal, ocular, intranasal, and targeted delivery systems. One of our key research strengths is hot melt extrusion technology, which is at the forefront of optimizing drug delivery and advancing manufacturing methods.
As a Ph.D. student, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that bridges lab work with real-world applications. If you’re driven to bring new medications from discovery to the marketplace, this program will equip you with the advanced knowledge, hands-on experience, and innovative techniques necessary to excel in pharmaceutical sciences.
About Pharmaceutical Sciences
Do you want to be involved in the development of new medicine? Want to conduct new and exciting research? Then, a degree in pharmaceutical sciences is for you.
At the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, you won't just learn from our team of faculty and researchers. You will work alongside them and help explore the future of health and medicine.
We offer various disciplines, from environmental toxicology to pharmacy administration. Join us and find the right path for you.
Being an Ole Miss Pharmacy graduate student allows you to be part of a diverse community that is comprehensive in scope yet relatively small in size. This provides an excellent opportunity for advanced studies in a supportive and nurturing environment.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Doctorate Program
Area of Study
Health and Social Services
Pharmacy
Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology
School
Duration
4 - 6 Years
Degree
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Program Location
Emphases
Pharmaceutics
Required Credit Hours
54 Hours
Pharmaceutics Program Details
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Course Requirements
The Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with an emphasis in Pharmaceutics requires students to complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework and 18 hours of dissertation.
Core Courses
- Product Development (Phar 749)
- Statistics and Experimental Design (Bisc 504 or HP 626)
- Advanced Pharmaceutics (Phar 741)
- Colloid and Surface Science (Ch E 545)
- Stability of Pharmaceutical Systems (Phar 744)
- Applied Pharmacokinetics (Phar 760)
- Graduate Student Survival Strategies (BMS 601)
- Applied Pharmaceutics (Phar 750)
- Seminar in Current Pharmaceutical Topics (Phar 543, 544)
- Dissertation (Phar 797)
Elective Courses
- Formulation Development (Phar 650)
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Phar 658)
- Problems in Pharmaceutics (Phar 541)
- Regulatory Science I (Phar 651)
- Regulatory Science II (Phar 652)
- Analytical Pharmaceutics (Phar 735)
- Surfactant Science and Applications (Ch E 547)
- Introduction to Polymer Science (Ch E 543)
- Coating Materials Processing and Applications (Ch E 597)
- Principals of Physical Chemistry I (Chem 535)
- Physical Biochemistry (Chem 534)
Additional courses may be required by the student’s graduate adviser and/or advisory committee. If a required course is unavailable, the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery graduate faculty may approve an alternative course for a particular student.
Other Academic Requirements
Comprehensive Examination
After completion of all required coursework, including any additional coursework required by the research director and/or dissertation committee, a student must successfully pass a comprehensive examination. If a student fails one of the sections of the examination, he or she will be allowed to retake a second examination from the relevant faculty member. If a student fails more than one section of the examination, he or she will not be allowed to enter the Ph.D. candidacy stage but will be allowed to enter the master’s program. After passing the examination, a student will be entered into the Ph.D. candidacy stage.
Dissertation Prospectus and Dissertation
Doctoral candidates must prepare a written dissertation prospectus in an original and independent research area and orally defend the prospectus before their dissertation committee. Doctoral candidates must then prepare a written dissertation and orally defend the dissertation before their dissertation committee. The general procedures and composition of dissertation committees are governed by the University of Mississippi Graduate School policy.
The deadline for application submission is April 1 (rolling) for Fall admission and October 1 (rolling) for Spring admission.
Admission to the graduate program in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery is open to superior students with a bachelor of science degree or a master’s degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, biotechnology, or a related area. A “B” average or better in undergraduate and graduate coursework is required for consideration for admission. Admission is competitive, so it is unlikely that all students who meet the minimum requirements will be admitted.
A GRE score is NOT required for admission.
International applicants also must submit an English Proficiency Test score. To be considered for full-standing admission, the applicant needs to submit scores of at least 79 on the TOEFL (ibt) or six on the IELTS. Two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose are used to evaluate candidates. You may apply to all of the graduate programs online and get additional application information from the University of Mississippi Graduate School website.
The official transcripts should be mailed to:
The University of Mississippi
Graduate School
PO Box 1848
University, MS 38677 USA
Pharmaceutics Research
As a graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, you'll engage in groundbreaking research on drug delivery systems. With access to cutting-edge tools and faculty expertise, you'll be prepared to contribute to the future of pharmaceutical sciences.
Did You Know?
internationally-recognized research centers are housed in the School of Pharmacy and located on the Oxford campus.
publications authored by School of Pharmacy researchers in 2023.
DIRECT Program
The Diversifying Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community Building and Training (DIRECT) Program is a National Institutes of Health funded program offering financial, technical, operational, and professional resources for Ph.D. students interested in careers in the biomedical field. DIRECT trainees receive annual stipends, fully paid tuition, health insurance, conference travel support, and childcare cost reimbursement. The program emphasizes cohort building, mentoring, networking, and skill development.
Meet the Program Coordinator
If you have any questions about the Pharmaceutics emphasis, don't hesitate to reach out!
Eman Abdellatif Ashour
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery and Research Assistant Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?