The College of Pharmacy graduate student, in consultation with an adviser and advisory committee, will develop a doctoral program that reflects the student's research area of interest with the ultimate goal of becoming a pharmaceutical scientist.

A doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences prepares you for a career in either academic or industrial environments of the pharmaceutical sciences. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree from the University of South Carolina will conduct original research and contribute to the literature surrounding their area of expertise. All Ph.D. candidates must submit a thesis or dissertation as appropriate, as well as author research papers and manuscripts for submission for publication.

Candidates will embark on research training in the College of Pharmacy's Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences that encompasses the understanding of disease mechanisms and drug toxicity and the design and development of pharmaceutical and anti-cancer agents. This training in the physical and biological sciences applies to health-related research, and degree holders can pursue extensive career options in academia, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or government agencies.