The Pharmaceutical Sciences Division does not admit students for a terminal Master of Science (MS) degree (research track) in pharmaceutical sciences, but in some cases, it is appropriate for students to obtain a MS degree (research track). For example, a student may wish to complement a degree in a related program with a MS degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. PhD students in Pharmaceutical Sciences do not have to earn the MS degree en route to their PhD, but the option to do so is open to all Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD students. If you would find value in documenting a MS degree as you continue to pursue the PhD, you are encouraged to talk to (i) the DGS, and (ii) your PI.
I. Master of Science (MS) Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences
The MS degree can be offered to students who plan to terminate graduate study before obtaining a PhD. Students who are working toward the PhD are not required to earn the MS degree, but may elect to earn it “on the way” to the PhD with the consent of their thesis advisor and thesis committee. Graduate students in other programs may earn a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences if their thesis advisor is a member of the Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty or holds affiliate faculty status in the Division. Degree requirements can typically be completed in 4 ± 1 semesters.
The MS degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences constitutes recognition of significant achievement in both coursework and research. To earn the degree, the Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate student must satisfy the following requirements:
- Minimum credit and grade requirements of the Graduate School
- Formal course requirements of the Program
- Research component
II. Minimum Credit /Grade Requirements
The MS Pharmaceutical Sciences requirement is a minimum of 30 credits (16 of which must be done in residence). See Section J of the PSD Handbook.
An overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate level (300 level or above, non-research) courses is also required, unless conditions for probationary status require higher grades.
School of Pharmacy policy requires that no student carry more than 7 credits with grade BC or lower in all coursework.
III. Course Requirements
Courses required for the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences are listed in Section J (Course Requirements) of the PSD Handbook.
Thesis advisors have the option to require additional courses beyond the minimum requirements listed above.
IV. Research
Although research experience is not a University requirement for the MS degree, the Pharmaceutical Sciences Program expects the MS candidate to engage in a research project of a scope appropriate to the time devoted to earning the degree. The MS (research) degree may be awarded following approval of the candidate’s committee after either of the following: 1) passing of the preliminary exam or 2) writing a MS thesis describing the candidate’s research that is presented and defended before the student’s MS thesis committee.
For the later route, a MS thesis must be both presented and defended before a faculty committee consisting of at least three graduate faculty members of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division (one of whom is the student’s thesis advisor). A public defense is not required, but if the candidate would like to have a public defense, they should consult with their advisor. Public defenses may be advertised by emailing (at least 2 weeks in advance) Debra King (debra.king@wisc.edu) and Sally Griffith-Oh (sally.griffithoh@wisc.edu) a notice or flier about your final MS Defense that minimally includes the Title, Abstract, Author, Date/Time, and Location. You may wish to include in this notice or flier graphics such as photos, a graphic abstract, or other images that celebrate you and/or your work. Although smaller in scope, the MS thesis should be written in a format similar to a doctoral thesis and consist of the following sections: Title Page, Acknowledgements, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References. The completed thesis should be given to members of the faculty committee no less than two weeks before the oral defense date.
V. Procedures
- If you are planning on not continuing to the PhD and therefore plan to write an MS thesis, please discuss your plans with your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Then review the Guide’s instructions on how to change a program. You’ll want to add the “MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Research” option and select “no” when asked if this is a joint degree being added. The Grad Program Manager will approve your request and then it will take a few business days for it to be added to the system. Students should submit a warrant request online at least four weeks in advance of the MS defense date. The Grad Program Manager will notify the student when the warrant is available.
- If you have already passed your prelim and want to add the MS, please discuss your plans with your advisor and committee. Then read the Guide’s section on how to add a program. You’ll want to add the “MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Research” option and select “no” when asked if this is a joint degree being added. The Grad Program Manager will approve your request and then it will take a few business days for it to be added to the system. Students should also submit an MS warrant request. Students who have already passed the prelim can skip the coursework section. The Grad Program Manager will notify the student when the warrant is available.
- If you have not already taken your prelim and would like to earn the MS “on the way to the PhD” please discuss your plans with your advisor and committee. Then review the Guide’s instructions on how to add a program. You’ll want to add the “MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Research” option and select “no” when asked if this is a joint degree being added. The Grad Program Manager will approve your request and then it will take a few business days for it to be added to the system. Students should also submit a request for a prelim and MS warrant at least four weeks in advance of the prelim. The Grad Program Manager will notify the student when the warrant is available.
(Approved by the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division faculty, Spring 2023)