MS Program

Apply for MS

MS Application deadline: Applications are accepted for Autumn admission only. Applications must be submitted by March 17, 2023 for admission to begin the program in Autumn Quarter 2023.

The department of Pharmaceutics offers an MS degree which is typically completed within two years as a terminal degree. The program of course work is divided into four components: prerequisites which define the level of entry into the program; a core MS program listed below; seminars and literature review; and research.

Prerequisites

• Differential Calculus (MATH 124; 5 cr)

The Department of Pharmaceutics implemented a new curriculum beginning in Autumn Quarter 2019, with transition beginning Spring 2019. Please see Appendix G in the Graduate Program Handbook for the typical schedule of core requirements.

 Core Courses

This applies to students who entered the MS program beginning in or later than Autumn Quarter 2019 (with transitional options for those who entered in 2018). The didactic pharmaceutics core consists of the following disciplines and specific courses:

The MS degree entails an accrual of minimum 41 credits, of which 20 must be graded (the graded credit must be from graduate courses of 500 level or above). In addition, 26 credits must be derived from courses that do not include independent study, seminar, journal club and thesis study. Of the 41 required course credits, 20 are derived from the following “core” courses that are intended to give the student the minimum knowledge base in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

• PCEUT 502: Drug Disposition Science (2 cr)
• PCEUT 505: Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences I (2 cr)
• PCEUT 506: Concepts in Pharmacokinetics (2 cr)
• PCEUT 507: Advanced Pharmacokinetics (3 cr)
• PCEUT 532 Clinical Pharmacokinetics (4 cr)

Additional didactic core courses:

• MEDCH 501: Medicinal Biochemistry (3 cr)
• BIOST 511: Medical Biometry I (4 cr)

Seminars and Literature Review

• PCEUT 520: Seminar (1 cr/quarter; 3 qtr/year until graduation)

MS students are not required to make a presentation, but they may take the opportunity to present for the experience.

• PCEUT 583: Journal club (1 cr/quarter; 3 qtr/year until graduation)

MS students are expected to make 2 presentations each year (beginning at the start of their 2nd year, until graduation.

Research

• PCEUT 600, 700 (variable credits)

MS students will have selected a thesis advisor at the end of spring quarter in their first academic year, and must begin their laboratory research by summer quarter of their first academic year in the lab of their advisor. Due to the course work and research demands of the program, most students may find that after-class and off-hours are the best and most productive time for their laboratory research. Some MS students may have entered the program directly into a particular lab and will have selected an advisor by mutual agreement before starting the program.

MS students sign up for PCEUT 600 (lab research, variable credit) during their first year in the program and PCEUT 700 (Master’s Thesis) thereafter until the defense of their thesis, in order to meet the research requirements of the program and the Graduate School.

Master’s Thesis

MS students are required to submit a Master’s thesis. The content of the thesis should be a research summary of their laboratory project. Under special circumstances and with the consent of the advisory committee, a comprehensive review of a relevant area of pharmaceutical research may be permitted. Each student should work closely with their major advisor in order to identify and develop the content of the Master’s thesis and the composition of the supervisory committee.

Students admitted into the MS program can formally apply to the PhD program only after successful completion of the first year in the MS degree program. The application will be reviewed competitively with other PhD applicants.

You may find additional information in the Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Handbook  and the Applications webpage.