Pharmacology & Physiology MS

Major: Pharmacology & Physiology
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 39.0 (MS, non-thesis); 55.0 (MS, thesis);
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1002
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
19-1042

About the Program

The College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies offers a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology & Physiology. The program requires 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 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 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 completion may apply to the PhD program, and their course credits may be applied to the doctoral program.

In addition to the thesis-based MS program, Drexel offers a non-thesis degree program in which students can earn the degree without a research project by taking additional classes and writing a literature review paper.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Medicine's Pharmacology & Physiology program website.

Admission Requirements

Drexel University College of Medicine has a rolling admissions policy, which means that complete applications are reviewed as they are received. Applicants are therefore advised to apply early, as decisions to accept or deny admission may be made before the official deadlines.

Additional Information

To learn more about applying to Drexel College of Medicine programs visit the Drexel College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies website.

Degree Requirements

About the Curriculum

The core curriculum is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program of study for all first-year research master’s students in the Division of Biomedical Science Programs. The goal of the core curriculum is to provide a broad foundation in biomedical sciences and serve as a framework for advanced study in more specialized areas.

Courses Repeatable for Credit

As well as taking all required courses, students will re-enroll in courses having the status “repeatable for credit” (such as journal club, seminar and research courses) for the duration of their program in order to meet the total number of credits required for graduation.

Additional Information

For more information about the program, please visit the College of Medicine's Pharmacology & Physiology program web page.

Non-Thesis Option

Required Courses
IDPT 500SResponsible Conduct of Research2.0
IDPT 501SBiostatistics I2.0
or NEUR 500S Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research
IDPT 502SLearn Early As Professionals I (LEAP I)1.0
IDPT 504SLearn Early and Practice (LEAP II)1.0
IDPT 533SCore Principles in Biochemistry & Cell Biology4.0
IDPT 850SLiterature Review Non-Thesis MS5.0
PHRM 502SCurrent Topics in Pharmacology & Physiology *4.0
PHRM 507SPrin of Neuropharmacology3.0
PHRM 512SGraduate Pharmacology3.0
PHRM 517SAdvanced Topics in Pharmacology1.0
PHGY 503SGraduate Physiology4.0
Advanced Electives
Select at least three Advanced Electives9.0
Macromolecular Structure & Function
Cancer Biology
Immunology I
Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods
Animal Models for Biomedical Research
Graduate Neuroscience I
New Frontiers in Therapy
Methods in Biomedical Research
Drug Discovery and Development I
Drug Discovery and Development II
General Electives
Teaching Practicum I
Teaching Practicum II
Teaching Practicum III
Thesis Defense
Epidemiology
Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D
World Wide Regulatory Submissions
Intro to Clinical Trials
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics
Scientific Writing and Medical Literature
Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research
Pharmaceutical Law
Leadership Skills
Compliance & Monitoring Issues
Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance
Designing the Clinical Trial
Innovative Product Development
Fundamentals of Compliance
Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology
Informatics in Pharm Res & Development
Total Credits39.0
*

Taken each semester.

Thesis Option

Required Courses
IDPT 500SResponsible Conduct of Research2.0
IDPT 501SBiostatistics I2.0
or NEUR 500S Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research
IDPT 502SLearn Early As Professionals I (LEAP I)1.0
IDPT 504SLearn Early and Practice (LEAP II)1.0
IDPT 533SCore Principles in Biochemistry & Cell Biology4.0
PHRM 502SCurrent Topics in Pharmacology & Physiology *4.0
PHRM 503SPharm & Phys 1st Lab Rotation4.0
PHRM 504SPharm & Phys 2nd Lab Rotation4.0
PHRM 507SPrin of Neuropharmacology3.0
PHRM 512SGraduate Pharmacology3.0
PHRM 517SAdvanced Topics in Pharmacology1.0
PHRM 600SPharmacology Thesis Research **18.0
PHGY 503SGraduate Physiology4.0
Advanced Electives
Select at least two Advanced Electives for a minimum of four credits.4.0
Macromolecular Structure & Function
Cancer Biology
Immunology I
Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods
Animal Models for Biomedical Research
Graduate Neuroscience I
New Frontiers in Therapy
Methods in Biomedical Research
Drug Discovery and Development I
Drug Discovery and Development II
General Electives
Teaching Practicum I
Teaching Practicum II
Teaching Practicum III
Thesis Defense
Epidemiology
Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D
World Wide Regulatory Submissions
Intro to Clinical Trials
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics
Scientific Writing and Medical Literature
Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research
Pharmaceutical Law
Leadership Skills
Compliance & Monitoring Issues
Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance
Designing the Clinical Trial
Innovative Product Development
Fundamentals of Compliance
Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology
Informatics in Pharm Res & Development
Pharm & Phys 3rd Lab Rotation
Total Credits55.0
*

Taken each semester. 

**

Taken each semester starting in the second year. 

Sample Plan of Study

Non-Thesis Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IDPT 502S1.0IDPT 500S2.0
IDPT 533S4.0IDPT 504S1.0
PHGY 503S4.0PHRM 502S1.0
PHRM 502S1.0PHRM 512S3.0
 PHRM 517S1.0
 Advanced Elective3.0
 10 11
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHRM 502S1.0PHRM 502S1.0
PHRM 507S3.0IDPT 850S5.0
IDPT 501S or NEUR 500S2.0Advanced Elective3.0
Advanced Elective3.0 
 9 9
Total Credits 39

Thesis Option 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IDPT 502S1.0IDPT 500S2.0
IDPT 533S4.0IDPT 504S1.0
PHGY 503S4.0PHRM 502S1.0
PHRM 502S1.0PHRM 504S4.0
PHRM 503S4.0PHRM 512S3.0
 PHRM 517S1.0
 14 12
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IDPT 501S or NEUR 500S2.0PHRM 502S1.0
PHRM 502S1.0PHRM 600S9.0
PHRM 507S3.0Advanced Elective2.0
PHRM 600S9.0 
Advanced Elective2.0 
 17 12
Total Credits 55

Program Level Outcomes

  • Identify and describe fundamental concepts in pharmacology and physiology.
  • Design and perform hypothesis-driven research that applies concepts in pharmacology, physiology and drug discovery and discuss its translational impact.
  • Communicate scientific concepts and data from the literature as well as their own research to a broad range of audiences.
  • Critically analyze and evaluate scientific literature regarding the broad range of subject areas associated with pharmacology.
  • Work effectively and collegially in collaborations as well as independently in the execution of research projects and associated analysis of scientific data.
  • Conduct themselves with maturity and integrity in professional endeavors and demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards in science such as appropriate attribution of ideas and truthful presentation of data and conclusions.