Drug Discovery and Development MS
Major: Drug Discovery and Development
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 38.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1001
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1029
About the Program
The MS in Drug Discovery and Development program provides in-depth exposure to multiple aspects of the discovery and development of marketed drugs. This unique program provides the rigorous scientific and technical training necessary to succeed and advance in the complex and multidisciplinary field of drug discovery. It has been designed to prepare students for a smooth transition into an enduring and productive career or accelerate professional advancement in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It covers all facets of drug discovery and development beginning with the identification of a drug target and proceeding through to clinical trials, regulatory approval and commercialization. Students will also be introduced to business aspects as well as to other areas of biotechnology and to the basic sciences of pharmacology and physiology.
The MS in Drug Discovery and Development is available to individuals who have already obtained a BS or BA degree in the biomedical sciences, life sciences, health sciences or related fields who wish to pursue an industry-focused master's-level degree or enhance their qualifications for a doctoral program in the biomedical sciences or medicine. This includes individuals who plan to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnical industries.
This program is also intended for individuals from other disciplines who wish to have a broader base of information about drug discovery and development, those who may wish to transition into the industry, or those who are already active in the industry and seek to increase their knowledge. The curriculum is flexible and has been designed with the recognition that the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries require a diversity of experience and expertise.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, visit the Drug Discovery and Development program web page.
Admission Requirements
For acceptance to the program, the applicant must have completed a four-year life science, physical science, pharmacy, health science or related bachelor's degree program, with a 3.0 GPA preferred. Students must fulfill all requirements for consideration as defined by the Executive Committee of the Interdisciplinary and Career-Oriented Division of the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Professional Studies.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- References from at least two instructors, supervisors or relevant professionals
- Current resume
- Personal statement
- An application fee is required for the full-time program.
- International applicants (non-United States citizens) must meet the same requirements for admission as students from the United States. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to speak, write, and understand the English language by submitting an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or IELTS.
Visit Drexel University's Graduate Admissions site for additional information regarding specific requirements for applying to the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Professional Studies in the College of Medicine, as well as important application dates.
Additional Information
For more information on how to apply, visit Drexel's Admissions page for Biomedical Graduate Studies.
Degree Requirements
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a with a comprehensive understanding of the entire process of drug discovery and development and its scientific foundation, while simultaneously offering multiple options to pursue specialized areas of interest.
| Required Courses | ||
| IDPT 500S | Responsible Conduct of Research | 2.0-3.0 |
| or CR 612S | Fundamentals of Compliance | |
| NEUR 500S | Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research | 2.0-3.0 |
| or IDPT 501S | Biostatistics I | |
| or CR 520S | Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics | |
| PHRM 512S | Graduate Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| PHRM 525S | Drug Discovery and Development I | 3.0 |
| PHRM 526S | Drug Discovery and Development II | 3.0 |
| PHRM 527S | Current Topics in Drug Discovery and Development | 1.0 |
| PHRM 605S | Research in Drug Discovery and Development | 4.0 |
| or PHRM 610S | Practicum in Drug Discovery and Development | |
| Electives * | ||
| Elective Options | 18.0-20.0 | |
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Foundations in Bioscience 1 | ||
| Foundations in Bioscience 2 | ||
| Introduction to Cancer Biology | ||
| Molecular Basis of Cancer | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Emerging Trends in Medical Device Regulation | ||
| Ethical Issues in Research | ||
| Medical Device Combination Product Regulation | ||
| Sponsored Projects Finance | ||
| The History of Misconduct in Biomedical Research | ||
| Fundamentals of Academic Research Administration | ||
| Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D | ||
| World Wide Regulatory Submissions | ||
| Intro to Clinical Trials | ||
| Clinical Trial Budgeting | ||
| Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics | ||
| Current Issues in Review Boards | ||
| Scientific Writing and Medical Literature | ||
| Clinical Data Management | ||
| Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research | ||
| Clinical Project Management | ||
| Patient Recruitment and Informed consent | ||
| Pharmaceutical Law | ||
| Clinical Outsourcing | ||
| Leadership Skills | ||
| International Regulatory Affairs | ||
| Compliance & Monitoring Issues | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Human Research Protection | ||
| Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance | ||
| Health Information Technology in Biomedical R&D | ||
| Patient Generated Data in Clinical Research | ||
| Special Topics in Clinical Research | ||
| Designing the Clinical Trial | ||
| Innovative Product Development | ||
| Fundamentals of Compliance | ||
| Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology | ||
| Informatics in Pharm Res & Development | ||
| Regulatory, Scientific and Social Issues Affecting Biotech Research | ||
| Health Policy and Economics | ||
| Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics II | ||
| Quality Assurance Audits | ||
| Strategic Planning | ||
| Risk Management in Clinical Research | ||
| Healthcare Inequities in Biomedical Research | ||
| Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods | ||
| Biotechniques II: Immunological Methods | ||
| Vaccines and Vaccine Development | ||
| Immunology, Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine I | ||
| Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine II | ||
| Animal Models for Biomedical Research | ||
| Graduate Physiology | ||
| Current Topics in Pharmacology & Physiology | ||
| Pharm & Phys 1st Lab Rotation | ||
| Prin of Neuropharmacology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Physiology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Pharmacology | ||
| New Frontiers in Therapy | ||
| Methods in Biomedical Research | ||
| Internship in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
| Intensive Internship in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
| Drug Development Strategy & Planning | ||
| Special Topics in Pharmacology | ||
Quarter Elective Course Options (must be approved by advisor) | ||
| Total Credits | 38.0-40.0 | |
- *
Courses that are not listed above may be taken as electives only with the approval of the program director.
Sample Plan of Study
Full Time Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CR 520S | 3.0 | PHRM 526S | 3.0 |
| PHRM 525S | 3.0 | IDPT 500S | 2.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | PHRM 517S | 1.0 |
| PHRM 512S | 3.0 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHRM 527S | 1.0 | Electives | 10.0 |
| PHRM 605S | 4.0 | ||
| PHRM 519S | 2.0 | ||
| Electives | 3.0 | ||
| 10 | 10 | ||
| Total Credits 38 | |||
Part Time Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHRM 525S | 3.0 | CR 612S or IDPT 500S | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | PHRM 526S | 3.0 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CR 520S* | 3.0 | PHRM 512S | 3.0 |
| PHRM 527S | 1.0 | Elective | 3.0 |
| 4 | 6 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives | 6.0 | Electives | 6.0 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | ||
| PHRM 605S or 610S* | 4.0 | ||
| 4 | |||
| Total Credits 38 | |||
- *
Note: This term is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.
Program Level Outcomes
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Drug Discovery and Development process and an understanding of the fundamental scientific principles that guide the development of novel therapeutics
- Recognize the role and evaluate the contributions of representatives of different disciplines, organizational functions and agencies involved in advancing a candidate molecule from the laboratory to the market.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the fundamental principles of pharmacology and a familiarity with the mechanism of action of commonly used drugs
- Evaluate the properties of a candidate molecule and assess its therapeutic potential, identify key strengths and weaknesses and recommend remedies to overcome limitations
- Demonstrate sound ethical principles and values and the ability to work independently or in diverse groups to complete tasks or assignments
- Synthesize information from multiple and diverse sources and identify the most fruitful plan of action
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively in both written and oral form to scientific and non-scientific audiences