Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S.

Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences

The concentration in Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences requires a minimum of 30 hours beyond the baccalaureate (or Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, including at least 9 credit hours of thesis preparation. The MS degree requirements include an admission-to-candidacy examination, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis.

Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences

The concentration in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences requires a minimum of 30 hours beyond the baccalaureate (or Doctor of Pharmacy) degree, including at least 6 credit hours of thesis preparation. The MS degree requirements include an admission-to-candidacy examination, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis.

MS Degree, Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences Concentration

  1. A research advisor must be chosen by the end of the first year. 
  2. Admission to candidacy must occur by the end of the third semester, and includes the following:
    1. Submission of a program of study form.  Satisfactory completion of all coursework taken in the first three semesters will be evaluated by the committee.
    2. Submission of a written initial research proposal, followed by an oral presentation and defense of the proposal to the thesis committee. 
  3. The comprehensive written and oral examination must be completed.
  4. A written thesis, along with an oral presentation and defense, is required for the completion of the MS degree.

 In addition to the general requirements listed above, candidates for the MS degree are required to complete two departmental seminar courses.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses:
PHAR 700Principles of Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmaceutics4
PHAR 701Current Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences4
PHAR 712ASeminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences 11
PHAR 712BSeminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences 11
PHAR 799Thesis Preparation1-6
Select 11 hours of electives 211
1

A maximum of 2 hours credit can be earned for PHAR 712.

2

Electives will be chosen based on the needs of the graduate student. Areas of emphasis include Biomedicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmacology. Electives will be chosen based on the area of emphasis and must be approved by the advisory committee and the Graduate Program Director. Electives must be 700 level and above, or any course approved by the Graduate School for Graduate Credit.

MS Degree, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences Concentration 

All students must successfully complete at least 30 hours of graduate course work. All students must submit a thesis based upon original research, meeting all requirements of The Graduate School prior to award of the degree. No more than six hours of credit for PHAR 799 will be allowed for thesis research and writing. Further degree requirements are listed below.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses:
PHAR 711ASeminar in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research1
PHAR 711BSeminar in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research1
PHAR 740Socio-Economics of Pharmacy Practice3
PHAR 742Research Methods in Pharmaceutical and Health Outcomes Sciences3
PHAR 748Principles of Pharmacoeconomics3
ECON 720Managerial Economics3
PHAR 750Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology2
PHAR 749Introduction to Implementation Science2
BIOS 701Concepts and Methods of Biostatistics3
BIOS 757Intermediate Biostatistics3
PHAR 799Thesis Preparation6
Total Credit Hours30

Note: Depending on the student’s needs, additional courses may be required as identified and approved by the major advisor and Graduate Program Director in consultation with the student.