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M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences Curriculum

Program Description

The M.S. program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue an advanced degree program and to obtain employment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, research institutions and regulatory agencies through well-designed didactic courses, along with the research concentration in a specific area of pharmaceutical sciences. The program places a strong emphasis on a comprehensive and high-quality graduate education and research experience for the students.

The M.S. degree is offered as three options (A, B and C), where option-A requires hands-on research experience. The customizable elective courses in the M.S. program provide opportunities for students in the Pharm.D. and other graduate programs to pursue dual degree options. Additionally, the M.S. curriculum is stackable with the Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of key fundamental concepts in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
  2. Apply pharmaceutical and biomedical science knowledge and research techniques to drug discovery and development.
  3. Retrieve and critically evaluate the scientific literature.
  4. Utilize effective written and oral communication skills.
  5. Demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide broad knowledge and training in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.

Graduate Catalog

Prefix

Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

PHA

720

Introduction to Advanced Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences

3

PHA

721

Advanced Concepts in Medicinal Chemistry

3

PHA

740

Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology

3

PHA

760

Advanced Concepts in Pharmaceutics

3

PHA

725

Advanced Concepts in Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics

3

PHA

790

Seminar

1

PHA

765

Techniques in Pharmaceutical Sciences

3

STAT

541

Statistical Methods

3

Subtotal: 22 credits

Elective courses allow students to further explore topics in the pharmaceutical sciences and related disciplines. 

Prefix

Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

PHA

792

Topics

1-3

PHA

738

Health Informatics

1

PHA

743

Pharmacogenomics

1

PHA

752

Drugs of Abuse and Addiction

2

PUBH

767

Public Health Toxicology

3

CHEM

701

Advanced Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM

706

Advanced Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM

724/724L

Structural Determination of Organic Compounds

3

BIOL

570

Cancer Biology

3

BIOL

645/645L

Microimaging Techniques

3

BIOS

662

Advanced Molecular Biology

3

Other courses as approved by adviser and/or committee.

Minimum Course Requirements for Graduation

Option A: Thesis

Credit Hours

Required courses

22

Electives

0

Thesis (PHA 798)8

Subtotal

30

Option B: Project

Credit Hours

Required courses, all students

22

Electives

6

Research Problem/Project (PHA 788)4

Subtotal

32

Option C: Coursework Only

Credit Hours

Required courses, all students

22

Electives

11

Pharmaceutical Sciences Capstone(PHA 769)2

Total Required for the Degree Total

35