Jun 04, 2026  
DRAFT 2026-2027 Graduate Catalog 
    
DRAFT 2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Hemachand Tummala, Department Head, Graduate Program Coordinator and Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Avera Health and Science Center 255, Box 2202C
605-688-4236

Program Information

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers courses and research opportunities in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Department also offers an opportunity for a combination Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)/Ph.D. degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The didactic courses, along with the research concentration in a specific area of pharmaceutical sciences, provide a strong foundation for academic, regulatory affairs, the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and other research-related careers. The program places a strong emphasis on comprehensive and high-quality graduate education and research experience for the students.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Doctor of Philosophy

  • 60 Credit Plan
  • 90 Credit Plan 

Core Requirements


60 Credit Plan


90 Credit Plan


Additional Admission Requirements


The following prerequisites are the courses required for admission to the Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.) program:

  • Two semesters of general chemistry
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry
  • One semester of biochemistry

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (scale of 4.0) in the undergraduate program.

Letters of Recommendation - Two personal reference letters from people acquainted with the academic ability and professional competence of the applicant are required.

International students, where English is not the primary language, must submit the scores of any one of the following English proficiency tests. Minimum scores required for admission include,

GRE: Not Required
TOEFL iBT: 4
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

The Institutional Code for SDSU is 6653.

A Statement of Personal Goals and Philosophy - The statement should be brief and no more than one page.

Selection Criteria

The Department admits students in all three semesters, contingent upon the availability of funds and research openings in faculty laboratories. The selection is primarily based on the nature and quality of the student’s research experience, and its fit to the available projects, their motivation and commitment to graduate studies as relayed in essay/personal statement and interview, and their communication skills.

General Requirements


Graduate students must consult with their advisors before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements .

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