Students in Ohio State’s first online degree-granting program will take their seats together Friday and Saturday (1/5-6) for the first and last times. Once they complete orientation, the 33 members of the university’s doctorate degree in pharmacy will head off to their computers to complete their coursework. They will graduate between three and five years from now, depending how quickly they move through both the online and clinical parts of the program. The new degree, called the Non-Traditional PharmD program, is an online version of the doctorate already offered by the college.

Friday will offer an orientation to Ohio State; Saturday the computer programming they’ll need to learn to complete their programs.

Media are invited to cover various parts of the two days. Most activities take place in Parks Hall, 500 W. 12th Ave.

WHO:The 33 licensed, practicing pharmacists participating in Ohio State’s first online degree-granting program.

WHAT:The professionals will meet for orientation as they begin pursuing their doctorates in pharmacology.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, January 5th and 6th. Ohio State Provost Ed Ray will have lunch with the group from noon to 1:15 p.m., and President William E. Kirwan will attend a reception with them from 2 to 3:30 p.m..

WHERE:The College of Pharmacy, 500 W. 12th Ave., and various other campus buildings.