Graduate Programs in Pharmaceutical Science

Curriculum

Master of Science (M.S. Thesis) Program Requirements

Successful completion of 30 credits of graduate study, including PHC 502, 2 seminar credits (PHC 693/694), PHC 599, and a thesis.

  • For specialization in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy: BPS 525, BPS 552, BPS 555; 9 credits: BPS 503, BPS 530, BPS 535, BPS 550, BPS 551, BPS 557, BPS 633, BPS 641, BPS 642. Remaining elective credits at the 500/600 level in consultation with the student’s major professor.
  • For specialization in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: BPS 503 and BPS/CHE 540. Three credits of BPS 542, PHP 640, or 500-level statistics course. At least six credits of BPS 525, BPS 530, BPS 535, BPS 542, BPS 546, BPS/CHE 553, BPS 555, BPS 587, BPS 625, BPS 660, BPS 670; and PHC 520 (up to 2 credits). Remaining elective credits as determined in consultation with the student’s major professor.
  • For specialization in Health Outcomes: PHP 540, PHP 550, and PHP 580; at least six credits of statistics courses (400-level for graduate credit and higher), seven to nine credits of PHC 599, and remaining elective credits as determined in consultation with the student’s major professor.
  • For specialization in Pharmacology and Toxicology: BPS 535, BPS 641, BPS 642. Six credits of BPS 436, BPS 503, BPS 525, BPS 530, BPS 546, BPS 550, BPS 555, BPS 587, CMB 581, PHP 540, NEU 502 or NEU 503. Three elective program requirements as determined in consultation with the student’s major professor; No more than 3 credits of special problems (BPS597/BPS598)..
  • See the learning outcomes for the M.S. program curriculum.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program Requirements

Successful completion of a minimum of 64 credits of graduate study in consultation with your major professor and committee, including PHC 502, PHC 699, a qualifying exam, written and oral comprehensive examination, and a dissertation. The comprehensive exam should be taken no later than the 6th semester of full-time study. Extensions to the comprehensive exam timing can be requested by the major professor in writing to the Graduate Program Director and will be granted when extenuating circumstances exist. Dissertation proposals must be submitted after successful completion of the written and oral comprehensive exams and no later than 12 months after the comprehensive exam. Students are limited to taking a maximum of 12 dissertation credits (PHC 699) prior to successful completion of the comprehensive exam and approval of a dissertation proposal. Students are expected to attend and participate in the departmental seminars during their entire tenure in the Ph.D. program, for a minimum of three credits (PHC 693/694) assigned to the core credit requirement..

  • For specialization in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy: BPS 552; Three credits of BPS 530, BPS 535, or BPS 641; at least nine credits of BPS 525, BPS 551, BPS 555, BPS 557, BPS 633, CMB 581, CMB 582, CHM 505, CHM 521 or CHM 522; Additional course credits at the 500/600 level (including up to 3 credits of PHC 520) must be selected in conjunction with major professor and/or doctoral committee. All students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses other than those deemed to carry research, independent study, or directed study credits.
  • For specialization in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: BPS 503, BPS/CHE 540. Three credits of BPS 542, PHP 640, or 500-level statistics course. At least nine credits of BPS 525, BPS 530, BPS 535, BPS/CHE 553, BPS 542, BPS 546, BPS 555, BPS 587, BPS 625, BPS 660, and BPS 670. . Additional 500-/600-level courses (including up to 3 credits of PHC 520) must be selected in conjunction with the major professor and/or doctoral committee. All students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses other than those deemed to carry research, independent study, or directed study credits. 
  • For specialization in Health Outcomes: PHP 540, PHP 550, PHP 580, PHP 640 and PHP 685; Six to nine credits of 500/600 level statistics courses as determined in consultation with the student’s major professor; Twenty-four credits of PHC 699; and a minimum of 18 credits of additional 500/600 level elective courses determined in consultation with the major professor.
  • For specialization in Pharmacology and Toxicology: BPS 530, 535, BPS 641 and BPS 642. Fifteen credits BPS 525, BPS 536, BPS 542, BPS 546, BPS 555, BPS 557, BPS 565, BPS 697, BPS 698, CMB 581 and PHC 520. Additional course credits at the 500/600 level must be selected in conjunction with the major professor and/or doctoral committee. All students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses other than those deemed to carry research, independent study or directed study credits.
  • See the learning outcomes for the Ph.D. program curriculum.

Students transferring 30 credits from an M.S. degree must complete a minimum of 12 course credits, excluding PHC 693/694, PHC 599, and special problems courses, selected in consultation with the major advisor.

A qualifying examination is required for candidates accepted without the master’s degree. This requirement is satisfied by completing, with a grade of B or better, PHC 502 and six credits from BPS 530, BPS 535, BPS 546, BPS 551, BPS 552, BPS 587, BPS 641, PHP 540, PHP 550 or PHP 580 within the first two academic semesters.

Professional Licensure Disclosure: Our program meets the educational requirements for pharmacist licensure in all U.S. States and Territories. Additional requirements may apply depending on the state.