General description and timeline
A PharmD paper (approximately 20 pages) and seminar presentation are required of all PharmD students. This is a rigorous project and students are encouraged to work on it before the end of Year 3 if possible. A wide range of topics are appropriate for the paper/seminar, for example: clinical or lab research of a drug-related problem; review of a drug class with treatment options and recommendations; an extensive report to a Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee; a comprehensive drug review; a critical literature review and analysis.
Each student is assigned an administrative faculty advisor and a content advisor. The administrative advisor is randomly assigned by the end of spring semester of Year 2. The administrative advisor is responsible for helping the student identify a topic or topic area and providing guidance in the selection of a content advisor.
Each student selects a content advisor by the end of fall semester of Year 3. The content advisor serves as the “content expert” for the paper and gives guidance in the paper/seminar process. The content advisor may be a full-time College of Pharmacy faculty member, a part-time faculty member, a clinical or adjunct faculty member, or a health care professional. The content advisor and administrative advisor can be the same person if that person is a salaried employee of the College of Pharmacy.
Timeline for the PharmD paper and seminar is as follows:
Spring Semester, Year 2:
- Each student is randomly assigned an administrative advisor by the end of the semester.
Fall Semester, Year 3:
- Students take Phar 6181 PharmD Paper and Seminar (1 credit). This course introduces students to the paper, the writing process, research methods, and so on.
- Each student identifies a content advisor by the end of the semester.
- PharmD Paper/Seminar Project Agreement (see next page) is signed by the student, administrative advisor, and content advisor.
Fall Semester, Year 4:
- Students take Phar 6183 PharmD Paper (2 credits).
- The final paper is due in December.
Spring Semester, Year 4:
- Students take Phar 6182 PharmD Seminar (1 credit).
- Students give 15-minute presentations on their projects/papers.
Summary timeline:
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Year in Program
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Fall Semester
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Spring Semester
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Year 2
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Administrative advisor assigned by end of semester.
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Year 3
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Phar 6181 (1 cr) Content advisor identified by end of semester.
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Year 4
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Phar 6183 (2 cr) Paper due in December.
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Phar 6182 (1 cr) Seminar presentation.
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Sample timeline
Sample syllabus
Pharm.D. Paper/Seminar Project Agreement form
Pharm.D. Paper - Evaluation form
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