The Department of Pharmacology graduate program offers courses leading to the degree of Master of Science. Emphasis is placed upon training in research methods including the examination of the action of drugs at the systemic, cellular and subcellular levels, quantitation of responses, statistical analysis, literature search and critical interpretation of data. Special efforts have been made to provide considerable flexibility in determining the student's program based on background, interests and projected aims.
A Master’s degree in pharmacology is good preparation for career opportunities involving research, teaching and administration. Academic positions are found in schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and veterinary medicine. Also, since pharmacology spans many disciplines, academic positions can be found in departments of biology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, immunology, microbiology and molecular biology. Career opportunities also abound in the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology industries as well as in numerous private and government research institutes. There is and will continue to be a high demand for individuals trained in pharmacology to address problems that lie at the forefront of fields relating to basic and applied biological science. Such careers offer intellectual stimulation and creative expression, and will be of practical importance to the future needs of our society.
Active areas of research in the department include investigation into the therapeutic and pathophysiologic role of bioactive lipids (eicosanoids) in cancer, obesity, ophthalmology and cardiovascular diseases including: hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, diabetes, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, angiogenesis, and the impact of periodontal infection on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
A minimum grade of B– must be achieved in each pharmacology core course and pharmacology elective in order to use it to fulfill degree requirements. Elective credits must be in advanced didactic courses in pharmacology (catalog numbers 2000-7999) or, if in other disciplines, in didactic courses approved by the program director. Students who submit a Master’s Thesis (Track B) will be required to present and defend their work before their thesis committee. View the course descriptions here.
The Biomedical Science & Management track (Track C) requires 36 credits overall. This total includes a minimum of 24 credits from the science curriculum, a minimum of 8 credits from the professional skills curriculum, and an internship and capstone project report. A Master’s Literature Review may be substituted for the capstone report if proprietary concerns at the company hosting the internship preclude a formal report. In certain circumstances, with the approval of the program director and associate dean for the professional science Master’s program, a research rotation (PHRM 9800 or BMSM 9800, minimum 3 credits) may be substituted for the internship, along with either a Master’s Literature Review or a Master’s Thesis.
Track A: | |
Required Courses | |
General Biochemistry I (BCHM 1010) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology I (PHYM 1010) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology II (PHYM 1020) | 4 credits |
Cell Biology (CBAM 1360) | 3 credits |
Pharmacology I (PHRM 1010) | 4 credits |
Pharmacology II (PHRM 1020) | 4 credits |
Student Seminar Courses (7101, 7102 series) | 2-3 credits |
Master's Literature Review (PHRM 9750) | 0 credits |
Pharmacology Electives: Cardiovascular Pharmacology (PHRM 2410) Immunopharmacology (PHRM 2710) Other (didactic credits only) |
|
TOTAL | 30 credits |
Track B: | |
Required Courses | |
Pharmacology I (PHRM 1010) | 4 credits |
Pharmacology II (PHRM 1020) | 4 credits |
General Biochemistry I (BCHM 1010) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology I (PHYM 1010) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology II (PHYM 1020) | 4 credits |
Responsible Conduct of Research (BMSM 2020) | 2 credits |
Life in Biomedical Research I (BMSM 3510) | 2 credits |
OR Life in Biomedical Research II (BMSM 3520) | 2 credits |
Graduate Research Workshop (BMSM 8050) | 1 credit |
Master’s Thesis Research (PHRM 9800) | 1-5 credits |
Master's Thesis (PHRM 9850) | 0 credits |
Electives (didactic credits only) | 2-6 credits |
TOTAL | 32 credits |
Program Director:
Charles Stier, Ph.D.
Basic Sciences Building - Room 547
charles_stier@nymc.edu
(914) 594-4138