The impact on the pharmaceutical sciences will be enormous with the development of an understanding of the multiple genetic polymorphisms that cause variation in drug response. For over twenty years, UCSF has had a Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, widely recognized as the premier graduate program in the pharmacological sciences. Students also take eight units of electives in the chemical, biological, mathematical, or physical sciences. All students are appointed as TAs for two quarters during their second year. An oral qualifying examination, required for advancement to candidacy, is taken after the second year.
Students generally finish the program in about five years.