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Graduate Courses

The focus of graduate student training in our program is on learning to develop and carry out high-quality research projects. This is supplemented with course work that assists the student with acquiring skills in scientific communication, critical thinking and iassessment and ntegration of informaiton form the cellular-molecular to translational level. All students are expected to attend and participate in the Department Seminar Series during their course of study, in order to broaden and strengthen their knowledge of our disciplines.

Required M.Sc. Courses

Physiology and Pharmacology 9551 Communications and Critical Thinking

Physiology and Pharmacology Communications and Critical Thinking

Description: required course for 1st year M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in both the Physiology and the Pharmacology Graduate Programs. If Ph.D. students have transferred to this degree program from a Physiology or Pharmacology M.Sc. graduate program and have already completed this course then they are not required to complete the course again. The overall goal of the course is to fill the graduate student "toolkit" so that the graduate student is prepared to conduct their thesis project.

Course Objectives:

To provide an overview of the expectations and standards required to complete a Physiology or Pharmacology MSc and PhD degree.
To present professionalism, "student code of conduct", "supervisory code of conduct" research integrity and ethics topics
To introduce lab safety and animal care protocols to all new graduate students
To introduce the advisory committee meeting and its role in supporting progress over the graduate training period
To foster communication and interaction between students and PIs within the Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Programs.
To allow students to develop skills in scientific oral presentation and critically analyzing journal articles.
To allow students to develop skills in scientific writing including research proposals, journal articles and thesis.
To provide students with an introduction to experimental design and data analysis.

Components of the Course:

CCT will be a 1 credit, two term course with one 2-hour session of classroom time/week. The time commitment will vary depending on the number of students within the program. The evaluation for this course will be based on four criteria:

Oral presentation and critique of a recent journal article in their field (25%)
Presentation of progress in your project in preparation for your first full advisory committee meeting (30%).
a written 5 page grant proposal outlining your research project proposal (30%).
Participation in all student presentations and mandatory attendance at all lectures in the course (15%)

Instructors:

Dr. A. Watson. Email: awatson@schulich.uwo.ca
Dr. L. Dagnino. Email: ldagnino@uwo.ca
Dr. J. Hammond. Email: james.hammond@schulich.uwo.ca
Dr. D. Freeman. Email: dfreeman@uwo.ca
Dr. L. Coolen. Email: Lique.Coolen@schulich.uwo.ca

Day and Time: 9:30 -11:30 am every Friday Morning Starting September 18th
Place: Room University College room 222

Physiology and Pharmacology 9590 M.Sc. Thesis

Students are automatically enrolled when accepted into the Master's program in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.

Thesis Information: Guidelines for the preparation and examination of MSc thesis is provided by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Required Ph.D. Courses

Physiology and Pharmacology 9551 Communications and Critical Thinking

Physiology and Pharmacology Communications and Critical Thinking

Course Objectives:

To provide an overview of the expectations and standards required to complete a Physiology or Pharmacology MSc and PhD degree.
To present professionalism, "student code of conduct", "supervisory code of conduct" research integrity and ethics topics
To introduce lab safety and animal care protocols to all new graduate students
To introduce the advisory committee meeting and its role in supporting progress over the graduate training period
To foster communication and interaction between students and PIs within the Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Programs.
To allow students to develop skills in scientific oral presentation and critically analyzing journal articles.
To allow students to develop skills in scientific writing including research proposals, journal articles and thesis.
To provide students with an introduction to experimental design and data analysis.

Components of the Course:

Oral presentation and critique of a recent journal article in their field (25%)
Presentation of progress in your project in preparation for your first full advisory committee meeting (30%).
a written 5 page grant proposal outlining your research project proposal (30%).
Participation in all student presentations and mandatory attendance at all lectures in the course (15%)

Instructors:

Day and Time: 9:30 -11:30 am every Friday Morning Starting September 18th
Place: Room University College room 222

- Plus additional eligible 0.50 course (A or B):

A) 9553 Translational Research (Bench to Bedside)

The objective of this course is familiarize students with the approaches and issues associated with taking a basic science discovery through to effective therapeutic use in patient populations. An additional objective is to expand the scope of students' understanding of how their graduate research project fits into the ‘bigger picture' of the advancement of science and medicine.

The course will consist of 3 three week modules focused on the current or historical development of a therapeutic regimen involving:

a traditional small molecule drug
a cell based therapy
a therapy involving a protein or antibody

Each of these development paths has different issues associated with it and incorporates different areas of research. This will be followed by a 4th module in which students make a formal presentation on how their own thesis studies might be extended into the clinical/applied realm. Most of the course will involve small group discussion sessions and student presentations.

B) 9557 Pharmacokinetics and Drug Disposition

COURSE INFORMATION: The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to quantitative analysis of drug disposition and relevance to clinical pharmacology and drug discovery/development. In addition to the mathematical basis for drug disposition, the course also includes material on basic chemical, biochemical, and physiological processes that determine pharmacokinetics. Previous background in pharmacokinetics is unnecessary but basic pharmacology/toxicology knowledge and basic mathematical skills are required. The course consists of 10 didactic sessions and a 2 hr practical session on computer-based pharmacokinetic analysis and simulation. Problem sets will be assigned weekly and students will give 2 presentations on topics related to pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacology.

INSTRUCTORS

Rommel Tirona, PhD

LECTURES

Mondays 12-2pm. Beginning Jan. 11, 2010 in Room C3-170 (Boardroom) LHSC-University Hospital, then subsequent Mondays in Auditorium D, LHSC-University Hospital.

EVALUATION: Problem sets (30%) and two presentations (35% each).

Physiology and Pharmacology 9620 Grant Proposal

This course is completed by students within 18 months of entering the Physiology Ph.D. program. Failure to complete Physiology 620 and the comprehensive examination (Physiology 630) by 18 months from the beginning of the Ph.D. program will result in withdrawal from the Ph.D. program.

The objective is to prepare a grant proposal based on the topic of the Ph.D. thesis research. The proposal is to be of a format and quality that could be submitted to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Students complete the Research module of the CIHR application, which is available at http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/.

Students may consult the course manager to review the nature of the exercise and obtain recent publications concerning preparation of successful applications. Supervisors may provide advice on content, style and layout, but should not participate in the writing of the proposal.

The proposal is reviewed by at least two members of faculty. The evaluation provides:
i) The type of critique usually provided by a member of a grants committee.
ii) Suggestions for improving the quality of the application.

INSTRUCTORS

Course Manager
Dr. Marc Tini	SDRI 220B; Tel: 519-850-2942;
	Fax: 519-661-3827

EVALUATION: Producing an application that would achieve an acceptable rating (at least 3.0, on a scale of 0-4.9) in a CIHR competition meets the course requirements.

INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION: Advice on grant writing is contained in the article by Jacob Kraicer, entitled " The Art of Grantmanship".

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination (requirement for Ph.D. program)

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION GUIDELINES FOR PH.D. STUDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY

The comprehensive examination for Ph.D. students in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology is designed to focus not only on the student’s particular area of interest, but also to include studies in related areas deemed to be appropriate by the student’s Supervisor(s), Graduate Advisory Committee and Graduate Studies Committee.
a) Timing
The comprehensive examination is scheduled to take place no later than 18 months from starting the Ph.D. program (or from the transition of M.Sc. to Ph.D. status), and following the successful completion of the grant-writing course (PhysPhar 9620). The organization of the exam will be implemented upon recommendation by the student’s Advisory Committee, and is contingent on appropriate student progress. Comprehensive examinations should normally take place within 4 months after recommendation by the Advisory Committee.
b) Criteria for postponement of examinations
The comprehensive examination should take place at the date scheduled by the GSR. Comprehensive exams may only be rescheduled in the event of illness or for valid compassionate reasons, such as a death in the student’s family. A doctor’s note is necessary in the case of student illness, and documents such as a death certificate or pastor’s note are acceptable in the case of a relative’s death. Approval for postponement must be obtained from the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee.
c) Examination committee
The comprehensive examination is administered by an ad hoc Examination Committee, established by the Graduate Studies Committee, consisting of three examiners who are experts in the identified areas. The Chair of the Examination Committee is normally the Graduate Studies Committee Representative on the student’s Advisory Committee, but is not an examiner. Members of the Advisory Committee, and extra-departmental faculty, but not the supervisor, may serve on the examination committee.
The academic supervisor, in consultation with the Advisory Committee and the student shall first define three scientific topics that are relevant to the student’s research, and will serve to broaden the student’s understanding of his/her general research area. Three faculty members (and alternates) will be identified to serve as examiners. The main criterion to select examiners is their expertise in the topics to be covered. Examiners may belong to graduate programs other than those in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Examiners should not conduct collaborative work with the student and, whenever possible should not include members of the Advisory Committee. The exam is organized and chaired by the Student’s GSR. The Graduate Studies Committee may modify this list of topics and/or examiners, and is responsible for final approval of this list. The student is informed of the list of topics and the examiners at least four weeks prior to the examination.
When a student is registered in a specialty interdisciplinary program, one of the tutor-examiners will normally be a core faculty member from that program.
d) Format
The comprehensive exam consists on an oral examination during which each of the examiners asks questions related to their topics. Typically, the exam consists on two rounds of questions. The duration and order of questioning will be determined just prior to the exam. The student’s GSR is responsible for organizing and chairing the exam.
e) Steps in preparation for the exam
Once the student’s Advisory Committee identifies the examiners, the GSR will forward their names and areas of expertise, as well as relevant information on the student’s research, to the Chair and the Administrative Assistant of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) for approval by the GSC (please see attached form). When the Examining Committee is approved, the GSR will contact all parties involved (examiners, student and supervisor) to determine their availability, to inform them of the topics they have been selected to cover, and to set a date for the exam. The exam should take place within 2-3 months, and no longer than 4 months, from the date of approval of the examining committee.
The student will discuss the topics and material to learn with each of the examiners. Normally, the student will meet with each of the examiners 2-5 times, or as needed.
f) Grading
The examiners’ assessment will be based on the ability of the candidate:
• To demonstrate a knowledge of general concepts and principles of the discipline of study, and their application to scientific investigation
• To answer questions of fact in the specified subdisciplines
• To be aware of the historical developments and recent advances in the specified subdisciplines
• To be familiar with current research methods and use factual information to appropriately address novel problems in his/her own and related fields.
 The examination is usually two to three hours in duration and is normally chaired by the Graduate Studies Committee Representative on the student’s Advisory Committee.
 Only members of the examination committee are permitted to ask questions; other faculty may attend but do not participate.
 The candidate’s supervisor is encouraged to be present for the oral examination but does not participate in questioning or balloting.
 In the unexpected absence of an examiner for the oral component of the comprehensive due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, the exam will proceed with the two remaining examiners. In this case, the Chair of the examination will cast the deciding vote, if necessary.
At the conclusion of the oral examination, the committee will hold in camera discussions on the student’s performance and each examiner will assign a “Pass” or “Fail” grade. A “Pass” grade for the comprehensive exam requires majority, not unanimity. The examining committee may also recommend further study of a given area, as needed. The student will be notified of the results and any recommendations by the Chair of the Examining Committee at the conclusion of the in camera discussions.
g) Number of Attempts
If the oral exam is failed, a student may be permitted one additional attempt at the examination. After two unsuccessful attempts, the student will meet with the Advisory Committee to determine a course of action, which will normally involve withdrawal from the graduate program.
h) Procedure:
 After introductions, the student will be asked to leave the room, at which time the format of questions, and the order of examiners shall be determined. The format of questions will include two rounds, the first round 20-25 min and the second round 10-15 min.
 The student will be invited back into the room and the examination will begin.
 The chair will ensure that the time constraints are followed.
 At the conclusion of the examination, the candidate will leave the room, and the Chair will invite discussion by the examiners of the student’s performance, prior to calling a vote.
 Votes on performance on the examination are collected by written ballots from members of the examination committee. A simple majority decides the outcome of the examination.
 Following the vote, the student’s supervisor may comment.

The following outcomes are possible:
1. Pass
2. Fail, with the recommendation that the exam be re-taken.
3. Fail. In this case, the student’s Advisory Committee shall meet to determine whether student should be required to withdraw from the program.
 At the conclusion of the examiners’ deliberations, the Chair will verbally inform the student of the outcome and transmit any comments the examiners might suggest.
 The Chair of the examining committee will provide the student and advisor with a copy of the examination report from the Chair, stating the results of the examination and, where appropriate, comments on the student’s performance and recommendations, if applicable (see form on following page).
 Should it be necessary, the second attempt (and final opportunity) should take place no longer than one month after the first examination.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
Ph.D. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

Date:
Candidate:
Examining Committee:
Chair:
Examiners:
1.
2.
3.

Comments:

Pass/Fall:
Recommendations:

Chair of Examination Committee

Ph.D. Research Seminar (requirement for Ph.D. program)

The Ph.D. research seminar must be completed during the last year of the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. seminar is normally given as a Departmental seminar within our seminar series. The research seminar is based on thesis work.

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