Master of Science in Pharmacology and Physiology

The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology offers graduate programs leading to the MS and the PhD degrees. The programs require independent research under the direction of departmental faculty members who are engaged in highly active research programs involving molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches to experimental pharmacology and physiology in a strongly collaborative environment. Students in both the PhD and MS programs begin their coursework with a core curriculum in biomedical sciences, and immediately start laboratory rotations. Intensive graduate level pharmacology, physiology and neuropharmacology courses round out the core programmatic courses. Specialization in ion channel physiology, smooth muscle physiology, behavioral pharmacology and signal transduction processes may involve the taking of several elective courses. Each program requires the defense of a thesis based on original research. The MS program, requiring two years of full-time study, provides a broad knowledge and technical expertise in pharmacology and physiology, allowing graduates to become partners in research in either an academic or an industrial environment. Students who wish to continue their graduate studies after the MS degree may apply to the PhD program, and their course credits may be applied to the doctoral program.