Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)

The two-year MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) degree requires the successful completion of 36 credit hours of didactic and thesis coursework.  During this program, students will complete and defend a written thesis. The primary objective of the MSPS program is to prepare graduates for a career in pharmaceutical research. Students are provided with a strong foundation in pharmaceutical science knowledge, highlighted by the development of scientific research skills.

The didactic curriculum for MSPS students will be centered around a core of graduate level coursework. These courses will provide a rigorous foundation of education built on fundamentals of research, communication and leadership, and concepts in the biomedical sciences.

Upon satisfactory completion of the MSPS Program, graduates should be able to:

Knowledge

• Apply a broad knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and human disease in scholarly activity in the field.
• Use advanced pharmaceutical science knowledge to understand and investigate questions that improve human health.
• Utilize knowledge of the principles and processes of the basic sciences and the scientific method in their completion of basic science courses, and apply this to the research process.

Skills

• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature.
• Apply fundamental concepts in the core areas of pharmaceutical sciences to a research problem in their chosen area of research.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate adequate scientific questions to solve specific research problems.
• Apply laboratory skills such as planning of experiments, data acquisitions, data management, analysis and interpretation to a specific research problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to accurately record and manage research data.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in a written format with peers, researchers, and other scientists.
• Demonstrate biostatistical, research design, and program evaluation skills.

Attitudes

• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest level of ethical standards and scientific practices in the conduct of pharmaceutical research.
• Demonstrate an appreciation for the role of the research discipline in improving health outcomes.
• Engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches and teamwork through team-based coursework and research learning.

Admissions Materials

An applicant must submit the following materials:

1. completed application
2. $75 non-refundable application fee
3. an official transcript from each college or university attended, listing all courses taken, grades and degrees earned, and dates of graduation
4. three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic program, scholastic ability, or professional performance
5. a brief autobiographical statement describing the applicant’s educational and professional goals and objectives
6. a curriculum vitae

Additional material or standards may be required by the academic unit’s Graduate Studies Committee for the purpose of evaluating prospective students and making admission decisions. These requirements may include:

• minimum requirements for the GRE or other standardized tests, as may be relevant to the field of study
• specific pre-requisite courses
• other training/preparatory activities, as applicable

Admissions Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the Life Sciences (biology, biochemistry, biotech, chemistry, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences or related field) with a preferred GPA of 3.0.
• Three letters of recommendation emphasizing academic performance.
• A personal statement, stating future goals and research interests and interest in the MSPS program