A D M I S S I O N  | R E Q U I R E M E N T S 

Admissions|Degree Requirements|Financial Aid

Kerri pic The requirements listed below are special to this department and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School. Admission may be granted to an applicant who has not completed all the required preparation, but in such instances appropriate courses will be added to the student's program.

The department accepts only candidates for the Ph.D. degree. The student earns the M.A. and M.Phil. degrees during the course of study toward the doctorate.

Admission: Admission is based on the student's previous academic performance, Graduate Record Examination score (general test), letters of recommendation and interviews with members of the department. Ordinarily, preference is given to students who have a background in biology or chemistry, with a year of physics and mathematics through calculus.

All applicants must submit a complete application including GRE scores (general test required; subject test welcome), undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) transcripts, a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. Foreign applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores, to be considered for acceptance. Columbia University’s minimum TOEFL scores is 100.

We ask that we receive your application by December 5, 2011. Although we will evaluate any application received after this date, it is to your advantage to submit your application by the deadline, even if it is not complete at that time.

The Qualifying Exam and Thesis Research: The qualifying examination is generally taken before the end of the second year. After passing the qualifying examination, a student devotes minimal time to structured courses, but can elect to take any suitable courses offered at either the Health Sciences or Morningside Heights Campus.

Research leading to the dissertation officially begins after the student has passed the Qualifying Examination. Regulations established by GSAS and governing the research and thesis defense are presented in a booklet available from the Graduate Office. A copy of this booklet should be obtained at the beginning of dissertation research.

Financial Aid: All students in our program are provided with coverage for the cost of tuition and fees, and receive a stipend. As of July, 2011, the annual stipend became $32,064. Further information can be found at student financial services link.
If you have additional questions, please contact:

Dr. Daniel J. Goldberg, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies - Department of Pharmacology
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons
630 West 168th Street
New York, New York 10032
email: djg5@columbia.edu

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