Master’s level degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences specializing in one of Industrial Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry or Pharmacology with an optional basic research component.
The Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences prepares graduates to contribute skills and mastery of advanced topics in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields in both educational and industry environments. Graduates of the program are trained to develop skills in critical thinking necessary for positions in research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academic, and government institutions. The program is delivered in a student-centric format that develops the skills to interpret basic and clinical research through critical analysis to foster lifelong learning. Students are engaged in an inclusive and collaborative learning environment and are trained in an interdisciplinary environment that provides depth and breadth of knowledge. Opportunities for collaborative research experts in other fields are provided within the structure of the program.
The Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences is offered with concentrations in:
The program offers two options, both leading to a degree of Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences. One option involves original research, which culminates with the defense of a thesis (Plan A). The student research is performed under the mentorship of a faculty member with expertise in the student’s chosen concentration.
The second option does not require original research or defense of a thesis (non-thesis option, Plan B) which culminates in a comprehensive subject-specific exam. Within the non-thesis (Plan B) option, there are opportunities for students to participate in research in a voluntary manner outside of their required course load.
Within the Department, there are more than 30 independent research groups lead by faculty with a diverse range of expertise and research interests, including pharmaceutical dosage design, drug discovery, synthesis and production, pre-clinical testing, environmental toxicology, toxic risk assessment, structural and biochemical toxicology, nanotechnology, pharmacogenomics, gene therapy, molecular modeling, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. Some therapeutic areas of interest include cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, and pulmonary disease. Students are trained in an interdisciplinary environment that provides depth and breadth of knowledge with the opportunity for collaborative research with individuals with expertise in other fields.
For information regarding the academic program and requirements for the degree, contact the Graduate Program Director, PHS Department.
Graduate Program Director, PHS Dept.
Summary of application and program requirements.
An applicant must have completed an appropriate baccalaureate degree program. This degree must be in the natural or physical sciences and may include degrees in the pharmaceutical sciences, toxicology, biology or chemistry. Other degree areas are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.
The basic minimum requirements for an applicant with an undergraduate degree include the following:
The admissions committee may require that certain deficiencies be remedied during the first year through additional coursework beyond the minimum of the degree.
The program of study consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours (24 credits of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 6 credits of research PHS 900), exclusive of prerequisites and dissertation research.
The coursework for each student consists of a core curriculum and a specialization curriculum which is determined in consultation with the faculty mentor. In some cases, students may be required to complete more than the minimum number of credits in their area of specialization or a minor field of study to make up for any deficiencies in background experience and education. The final list of coursework, research, and other requirements grows from the advisement process between the student and mentor/advisor and, if necessary, with the PHS Dept. Chair.
The basic research component is completed under the guidance of a faculty mentor who also serves as the student’s academic advisor. Students do not need to secure mentorship prior to enrollment in the program.
The program of study consists of a minimum of 33 credits of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree, exclusive of prerequisites and dissertation research. Completion of the degree requires successful completion of a terminal written comprehensive exam. Students may sit for the comprehensive exam in their final semester of coursework if they have nine or less credits remaining and have completed the core curriculum of their concentration.
The course work for each student consists of a core curriculum and a specialization curriculum which is determined in consultation with the faculty advisor that is suitable to their concentration. In some cases, students may be required to complete more than the minimum number of credits in their area of specialization or a minor field of study in order to make up for any deficiencies in background experience and education. The final list of coursework, research and other requirements grows from the advisement process between the student and advisor and, if necessary, with the PHS Dept. Chair.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course Code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
IPP 265 | Introduction to Industrial Pharmacy I | 3 |
IPP 266 | Introduction to Industrial Pharmacy II | 3 |
IPP 237 | Industrial Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 241 | Advanced Biopharmaceutics | 3 |
PHS 900 | Master’s Research | 3 |
PHS 900 must be taken twice.
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
IPP 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
IPP 231 & 231L | Principles of Manufacturing Pharmacy, Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
IPP 233 | Industrial Pharmacy Journal Club | 2 |
IPP 234 | Pharmaceutical Materials | 3 |
IPP 235 & 235L | Product Formulation, Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
IPP 236 | Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms | 3 |
IPP 237 | Industrial Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 247 | Special Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 250 | Targeted Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 255 | Biotechnological Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 267 | Advanced Physical Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 271 | Degradation and Stability of Pharmaceutical Systems | 3 |
IPP 273 | Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Data Analyses | 3 |
PHS 240 & 240L | Electron Microscopy & Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 250 & 250L | Cell & Tissue Culture and Laboratory | 4 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
IPP 265 | Introduction to Industrial Pharmacy I | 3 |
IPP 266 | Introduction to Industrial Pharmacy II | 3 |
IPP 237 | Industrial Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 241 | Advanced Biopharmaceutics | 3 |
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
IPP 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
IPP 231 & 231L | Principles of Manufacturing Pharmacy, Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
IPP 233 | Industrial Pharmacy Journal Club | 2 |
IPP 234 | Pharmaceutical Materials | 3 |
IPP 235 & 235L | Product Formulation, Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
IPP 236 | Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms | 3 |
IPP 237 | Industrial Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 247 | Special Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 250 | Targeted Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 255 | Biotechnological Drug Delivery Systems | 3 |
IPP 267 | Advanced Physical Pharmacy | 3 |
IPP 271 | Degradation and Stability of Pharmaceutical Systems | 3 |
IPP 273 | Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Data Analyses | 3 |
PHS 240 & 240L | Electron Microscopy & Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 250 & 250L | Cell & Tissue Culture and Laboratory | 4 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
PHS 212/PHS 259 | (select one) PHS 212 Applied Biochemistry I or PHS 259 Cell Signals & Systems | 3 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
MCM 225 | Biocatalysis in Drug Discovery | 3 |
MCM 265 | Principles of Drug Design I | 3 |
MCM 266 | Principles of Drug Design II | 3 |
PHS 900 | Master’s Research (Plan A only) | 3 |
PHS 900 must be taken twice.
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
MCM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
MCM 207 | Peptides and Peptidomimetics | 3 |
MCM 223 | Design of Nucleoside Analogs | 3 |
MCM 231 | Medicinal Chemistry Journal Club | 2 |
MCM 255 | Chemical Aspects of Drug Metabolism | 3 |
MCM 263 | Lab in Analysis of Biomacromolecules | 3 |
MCM 267 | Computer-Aided Drug Design | 3 |
MCM 269 | Advanced Topics in Prodrug Design | 3 |
MCM 270 | Medicinal Chemistry of Antiviral and Anticancer Chemotherapeutic Agents | 3 |
PHS 256 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
CHEM 227 | Organic Spectroscopy | 3 |
CHEM 121 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
PHS 212/PHS 259 | (select one) PHS 212 Applied Biochemistry I or PHS 259 Cell Signals & Systems | 3 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
MCM 225 | Biocatalysis in Drug Discovery | 3 |
MCM 265 | Principles of Drug Design I | 3 |
MCM 266 | Principles of Drug Design II | 3 |
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
MCM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
MCM 207 | Peptides and Peptidomimetics | 3 |
MCM 223 | Design of Nucleoside Analogs | 3 |
MCM 231 | Medicinal Chemistry Journal Club | 2 |
MCM 255 | Chemical Aspects of Drug Metabolism | 3 |
MCM 263 | Lab in Analysis of Biomacromolecules | 3 |
MCM 267 | Computer-Aided Drug Design | 3 |
MCM 269 | Advanced Topics in Prodrug Design | 3 |
MCM 270 | Medicinal Chemistry of Antiviral and Anticancer Chemotherapeutic Agents | 3 |
PHS 256 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
CHEM 227 | Organic Spectroscopy | 3 |
CHEM 121 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
PHS 212/PHS 259 | (select one) PHS 212 Applied Biochemistry I or PHS 259 Cell Signals & Systems | 3 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
PHM 201 | Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System | 3 |
PHM 211 | Biochemical Neuropharmacology | 3 |
PHS 900 | Master’s Research | 3 |
PHS 900 must be taken twice.
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
PHM 102 | Principles of Pharmacology I | 3 |
PHM 103 | Principles of Pharmacology II | 3 |
PHM 202 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 203 | Research Methods in Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 209 | Pharmacological Aspects of Respiratory Disease | 3 |
PHM 216 | Advanced Psychopharmacology | 3 |
PHM 221 | Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 232 | Pharmacology Journal Club | 2 |
PHM 240 | Pharmacology of Anticancer Drugs | 3 |
PHM 246 | Pharmacology of Drugs Abuse | 3 |
PHM 247 | Reproductive Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 249 | Cardiovascular Pharmacology | 3 |
MCM 223 | Design of Nucleoside Analogs | 3 |
PHS 213 | Applied Biochemistry II | 3 |
PHS 250 & 250L | Cell & Tissue Culture and Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 256 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
PHS 257 | Gene Technology in the Pharmaceutical & Health Science | 3 |
PHM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
PHS 212/PHS 259 | (select one) PHS 212 Applied Biochemistry I or PHS 259 Cell Signals & Systems | 3 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
PHM 201 | Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System | 3 |
PHM 211 | Biochemical Neuropharmacology | 3 |
Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
PHM 102 | Principles of Pharmacology I | 3 |
PHM 103 | Principles of Pharmacology II | 3 |
PHM 202 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 203 | Research Methods in Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 209 | Pharmacological Aspects of Respiratory Disease | 3 |
PHM 216 | Advanced Psychopharmacology | 3 |
PHM 221 | Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 232 | Pharmacology Journal Club | 2 |
PHM 240 | Pharmacology of Anticancer Drugs | 3 |
PHM 246 | Pharmacology of Drugs Abuse | 3 |
PHM 247 | Reproductive Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 249 | Cardiovascular Pharmacology | 3 |
MCM 223 | Design of Nucleoside Analogs | 3 |
PHS 213 | Applied Biochemistry II | 3 |
PHS 250 & 250L | Cell & Tissue Culture and Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 256 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
PHS 257 | Gene Technology in the Pharmaceutical & Health Science | 3 |
PHM 101 | Special Problems | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
Credit Load
Core Courses
Course code | Course title | Contribution to minimum credit requirements |
|---|---|---|
PHM 221 | Clinical Pharmacology | 3 |
TOX 218 | Pathophysiology of Organ System | 3 |
TOX 222 | Cellular Pathophysiology | 3 |
PAS 252 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Pharmacology Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHM 201 | Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System | 3 |
PHM 202 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 209 | Pharmacological Aspects of Respiratory Disease | 3 |
PHM 211 | Biochemical Neuropharmacology | 3 |
PHM 216 | Advanced Psychopharmacology | 3 |
PHM 246 | Pharmacology of Drugs Abuse | 3 |
PHM 247 | Reproductive Pharmacology | 3 |
PHM 249 | Cardiovascular Pharmacology | 3 |
PHS Electives
Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHS 212 | Applied Biochemistry I | 3 |
PHS 213 | Applied Biochemistry II | 3 |
PHS 239 | Neuroanatomy & Neuropathology | 3 |
PHS 240 & 240L | Electron Microscopy & Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 250 & 250L | Cell & Tissue Culture & Laboratory | 4 |
PHS 256 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Lab | 3 |
PHS 257 | Gene Technology in the Pharmaceutical & Health Science | 3 |
PHS 259 | Cell Signals & Regulatory Systems | 3 |
PHS 261 | Laboratory in Gene Technology for the Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Professions | 1 |
PHS 270 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3 |
PHS 271 | Oxidants, Antioxidants & Free Radicals | 3 |
PHS 278 | Human Physiology | 3 |
Notes for Elective Courses
Registration for courses should be performed after consultation with your academic advisor/research mentor. Students may choose any of the courses listed above when offered after consultation with their academic advisor/research mentor.
Any course offered by the PHS department in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the graduate level will satisfy the elective requirements. However, courses not listed above can only be taken as electives after approval from their academic advisor/research mentor and the Chair of the PHS department.
Courses offered by different departments within the College of Pharmacy of Health Sciences or by other departments or other academic units of the University can only be used to satisfy the program elective requirements after approval from the academic advisor/research mentor and PHS Dept. Chair. Students should also keep in mind that permission from the other departments or academic units is also typically required for registration.
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