Master’s in Pharmacology

The M.S. in Pharmacology program trains you in the advanced research methods and statistical analysis required in the pharmacology field. You’ll explore the action of drugs at the systemic, cellular and subcellular levels. As an aspiring pharmacologist, you’ll learn how medicine is developed to treat illnesses like kidney disease, cancer and diabetes.

What Does a Pharmacologist Do?

Pharmacologists develop and test new drugs, as well as determine their pre-clinical safety and effectiveness. Pharmacologists conduct laboratory research and may use cell and animal models to study the effects of new drugs that can then be tested in clinical trials. Pharmacologists also analyze pharmacological studies as part of the drug approval process. In addition to research and testing, pharmacologists decide proper dosages, warnings and safety measures. To succeed in their role, pharmacologists need advanced training in chemistry, biology, math, analytical thinking and creative problem solving.

Pharmacology vs Pharmacy

While pharmacologists are laboratory scientists who research and develop new drugs, find potential cures for diseases and test drug efficacy, pharmacists are clinical professionals who distribute and administer drugs and interact directly with patients.

Whether in a retail or hospital setting, pharmacists make sure individual prescriptions are properly dosed and interact safely with other medication. Pharmacologists make sure the drug is safe, effective and properly tested before reaching patients.

If you’re excited to discover new cures for diseases and make an impact in experimental medicine, pharmacology might be best for you.

Education requirements for both disciplines differ slightly. If you want to become a pharmacologist, you’ll need to complete your M.S. or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, whereas a pharmacist would complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

Pharmacology Careers

A master’s degree in Pharmacology leads to career opportunities in research, teaching and administration. Pharmacologists can work in academic labs, at pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology companies, as well as private and government research institutes. There’s a high demand for individuals trained in pharmacology to address challenges relating to basic and applied biological science. There’s also an emphasis on the growing trend of personalized medicine as applied to pharmacology. You may choose to explore an area like pharmacogenetics, which analyzes the relationship between drug action and genomics.

In addition to industry or government, you can find academic positions in schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry or veterinary medicine. As pharmacology spans many disciplines, you can also find academic positions in departments of biology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, immunology, microbiology or molecular biology.

Program Curriculum

In the M.S. in Pharmacology program, you will take required courses in biochemistry, mammalian physiology and pharmacology. These foundational pharmacology courses will teach you how chemical agents interact with living tissues, essential pharmacological principles and mechanisms, and about the therapeutic and toxic actions of important drugs and poisons. You will also be able to choose from electives in different subspecialities in the field, such as endocrine pharmacology and immunopharmacology. You will learn about modern neuropharmacology, including the pharmacology of selected CNS-active agents, as well as the pathophysiology of neurological or psychiatric disorders and how therapeutic drugs are used as treatment.

For our M.S. programs, you will have the option to choose an academic track tailored to your goals. Track A culminates in a Literature Review, Track B involves more research training and culminates in a Master's Thesis and Track C trains you for a professional career in scientific research and management. In addition to your final project or internship, required courses vary between each track. Visit the Pharmacology curriculum page for detailed track information and course descriptions.

Pharmacology Department Research Areas

• Therapeutic and pathophysiologic role of bioactive lipids (eicosanoids) in cancer
• Obesity
• Ophthalmology

Cardiovascular Diseases

• Hypertension
• Kidney disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Atherosclerosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Angiogenesis
• Connection of periodontal infection to cardiovascular disease

Admissions

We welcome applicants from different academic and professional backgrounds. To be considered for the M.S. program, prior coursework should show above-average academic achievement at the undergraduate level and in any previous work at the graduate level. Strong performance in math and science courses is important, but we do not require specific prerequisites to apply. Apply online after carefully reviewing our application requirements on the M.S. Admissions page.

Pharmacology Faculty

Faculty members in the Department of Pharmacology work on investigating novel questions regarding drug mechanism and action in areas like cardiovascular, metabolic and renal pharmacology. As a student in the program, you'll gain firsthand insight from talented researchers discovering new cures and treatments for disease. Some of the current research topics of faculty include the mechanisms of inflammatory bone loss, the regulation of angiogenic processes related to cancer growth, and the regulation of potassium channels in cardiovascular disease. In our program, graduate faculty mentors provide guidance for your original laboratory research and our 2:1 student-faculty ratio allows for plenty of individual attention. Learn more about our knowledgeable and experienced faculty.