Graduate Training

The PhD degree is awarded by The Graduate School of Northwestern University. A prospective graduate student must select a PhD degree program within the Graduate School at the time of application. Examples of programs relevant to Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology training include Chemistry, Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences (IGP), Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program (IBiS), Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (NUIN), and Engineering.

The Graduate School requires the completion of nine formal courses of instruction and a PhD thesis in the program area. The specific course requirements are enumerated under each PhD degree program (see above links).

The drug discovery and integrative chemical biology curriculum includes formal coursework, a visiting lecture series and an annual symposium. It is recommended that all trainees take the Advanced Topics in Drug Discovery course as one of their nine courses. Other formal coursework is selected based on: 1) the degree program requirements and 2) an area of specialization customized to the individual student in consultation with advisors. For example, IGP and IBiS have 3 required core courses, with remaining courses selected by the student.

For the thesis research, trainees in drug discovery and integrative chemical biology select a primary thesis advisor, and a secondary advisor from a different academic discipline as a way to facilitate interdisciplinary educational development. To explore further details, contact individual faculty or write us at drugdiscovery@northwestern.edu.

For applicants who qualify for and are interested in NIH training grant support, contact: drugdiscovery@northwestern.edu.