Pharmacology and Physiology
MS with thesis: 48.0 semester credits
PhD: 96.0 semester credits
About the Programs
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.
About the MS Program
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.About the PhD Program
PhD candidates must pass a qualifying examination by November of their third year and they must have one first-author manuscript accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal during the course of the program.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.To learn more about applying to Drexel College of Medicine programs visit the Drexel College of Medicine's Biomedical Studies website.
About the Curriculum
The core curriculum is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program of study for all first-year research master’s and PhD students in the Biomedical Graduate Studies 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, MS and PhD students may 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.
For more information about scheduling and developing a plan of study, visit the College of Medicine's Pharmacology and Physiology page.
MS and PhD Degree Requirements
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| MS Degree Requirements: Non-Thesis Option | 36.0 semester credits | |||
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| Required Courses | ||||
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| IDPT 500S | Scientific Integrity and Ethics | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 501S | Biostatistics I | 2.0 | ||
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| NEUR 500S | Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 521S | Molecular Structure and Metabolism | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 526S | Cells to Systems | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 850S | Literature Review Non-Thesis MS | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 502S | Current Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHRM 507S | Principles of Neuropharmacology | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 512S | Graduate Pharmacology | 3.0 | ||
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| PHRM 516S | Special Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHGY 503S | Graduate Physiology | 4.0 | ||
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| Advanced Pharmacology and Physiology electives | Minimum of 3 courses | |||
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| Students are required to select a minimum of three advanced electives. Students normally consult with their committee to select advanced electives. | ||||
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| MS Degree Requirements: Thesis Option | 48.0 semester credits | |||
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| Required Courses | ||||
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| IDPT 500S | Scientific Integrity and Ethics | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 501S | Biostatistics I | 2.0 | ||
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| NEUR 500S | Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 521S | Molecular Structure and Metabolism | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 526S | Cells to Systems | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 600S | Thesis Defense | 9.0 | ||
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| PHRM 502S | Current Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHRM 503S | Pharmacology and Physiology 1st Lab Rotation | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 504S | Pharmacology and Physiology 2nd Lab Rotation | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 507S | Principles of Neuropharmacology | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 512S | Graduate Pharmacology | 3.0 | ||
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| PHRM 516S | Special Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHRM 600S | Pharmacology Thesis Research | 9.0 | ||
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| PHGY 503S | Graduate Physiology | 4.0 | ||
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| Advanced Pharmacology and Physiology electives | Minimum of 2 courses | |||
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| Students are required to select a minimum of two advanced electives. For more information about advanced elective options, visit the College of Medicine's Pharmacology and Physiology website. | ||||
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| PhD Degree Requirements | 96.0 semester credits | |||
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| Required Courses | ||||
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| During the third year, students develop a plan for their doctoral research in conjunction with their thesis advisor. A formal, written thesis proposal is then presented to the student’s Thesis Advisory Committee. Acceptance of this proposal after oral examination by the Committee leads to the final stage of doctoral training. PhD candidates then spend the majority of their time on thesis research. After concluding their research, they must submit and publicly defend their thesis before the Thesis-Examination Committee. | ||||
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| IDPT 500S | Scientific Integrity and Ethics | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 501S | Biostatistics I | 2.0 | ||
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| NEUR 500S | Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research | 2.0 | ||
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| IDPT 521S | Molecular Structure and Metabolism | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 526S | Cells to Systems | 5.0 | ||
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| IDPT 600S | Thesis Defense | 9.0 | ||
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| PHRM 502S | Current Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHRM 503S | Pharmacology and Physiology 1st Lab Rotation | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 504S | Pharmacology and Physiology 2nd Lab Rotation | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 505S | Pharmacology and Physiology 3rd Lab Rotation | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 507S | Principles of Neuropharmacology | 4.0 | ||
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| PHRM 512S | Graduate Pharmacology | 3.0 | ||
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| PHRM 516S | Special Topics in Pharmacology and Physiology | 1.0 | ||
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| PHRM 600S | Pharmacology Thesis Research | 9.0 | ||
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| PHGY 503S | Graduate Physiology | 4.0 | ||
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| Advanced Pharmacology and Physiology electives | Minimum of 2 courses | |||
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| Students are required to select a minimum of two advanced electives. For more information about advanced elective options, visit the College of Medicine's Pharmacology and Physiology website. | ||||
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| Additional electives | ||||
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| Students are required to select additional electives to complete the minimum of 96.0 credits for graduation. Additional courses from the Biomedical Graduate programs may be taken as electives. Students should check with the College of Medicine's Biomedical Graduate Studies programs. | ||||
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