The strength of the scientific community depends on academic and personal integrity. At Johns Hopkins University and in the Pharmacology Graduate Program, we expect students to be honest and truthful. Ethical violations are taken seriously and may result in dismissal from the Pharmacology Program. All students sign a general School of Medicine Honor Code upon matriculation. In addition, there is a specific Graduate Program Academic Ethics Policy and Honor Code that is signed by each student in the presence of the Program Director at the beginning of the first year.

Grades in required and elective courses must be B- or better.  A student who receives 1) a grade lower than B- (and/or a “fail” in a pass/fail course) in three required courses, or 2) a grade lower than C- in any required course is subject to dismissal from the Program. Each such instance is reviewed by the Graduate Program Steering Committee and acted upon on a case-by-case basis, taking all aspects of the student's performance (coursework and laboratory research) into account.  Required courses may not be audited or dropped because of academic difficulties.  In most scenarios, if a student receives a grade lower than a B- in a required course, the class must be repeated, and a grade of B- or better must be achieved. In the case of a grade below B- in an elective course, the student has the option of retaking the course to achieve a satisfactory grade or of taking another elective course and achieving a grade of B- or better. An “incomplete” in any course must be resolved within one month. The student may be placed on academic probation if he/she fails to resolve an Incomplete within this period.

The Pharmacology Graduate Program Policy for Probation, Funding Withdrawal, and Dismissal addresses consequences of student underperformance. Failure to meet any Program requirement by the specified deadline could result in placement of the student on probation. Dismissal from the Program is a possible consequence of failing to successfully complete probation terms. Students may be also be subject to dismissal without a formal probation period under certain circumstances.

In addition to university holidays, a maximum of two weeks (10 days) of vacation are permitted during the first year and three weeks (15 business days) during subsequent years. Unused days may not be carried over into the following 12-month period and are not payable upon departure. Additional vacation or personal leave time must be approved in advance by a student's faculty preceptor and the Program Director.

Sick leave should not exceed 15 calendar days per year. Unused days may not be carried over into the following 12-month period and are not payable upon departure. Extended absences (more than 14 business days) must be reported by the student and/or faculty preceptor to the Program as quickly as possible. If the illness requires an extended absence, the student may apply for a leave of absence.

All eligible full-time graduate students, regardless of gender, will receive an eight-week accommodation to care for a new child, with no loss in tuition benefits, stipend support, or benefits from a training grant, fellowship, or scholarship. See the full SOM policy here. The Program Director must be notified if a student plans to use parental leave.

Students may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) for a medical condition, military duty, personal hardship, or to pursue an internship. Time spent on LOA is not counted toward the time to degree. Students seeking a LOA must apply accoring to SOM procedures described in the Policy for Graduate Student Leave and Voluntary Leave of Absence.