Pharmacology and Toxicology – Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs of advanced study and laboratory research in the disciplines of pharmacology and toxicology, leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees, are intended to prepare qualified students for professional careers as pharmacologists or toxicologists in academia, private industry, or public service. At the completion of the MS or PhD in pharmacology and toxicology, every student will be able to carry out the following:

Conduct experiments using standard written laboratory protocols.
Analyze and interpret data from experiments and publications.
Design experiments to investigate a question.
Present laboratory findings orally as in seminar format and in writing as in a manuscript for publication.
As applicable, defend a thesis or dissertation in a public forum.

Graduate coursework emphasizes integration of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, statistics, and experimental design. Theory and methodologic aspects are considered within the context of current research literature in these fields. At least 20 didactic credits of graduate coursework (700 and 800 level) are required for either degree. Students propose, develop, and perform an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty Advisory Committee and defend their master’s or doctoral thesis before an examination committee of graduate faculty and other expert scientists. Predoctoral students must pass written and oral comprehensive qualifying exams. Publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals is expected. Current research interests of the pharmacology and toxicology faculty encompass cancer pharmacology, metabolism and cellular mechanisms of toxicity of drugs and xenobiotics, cancer cell motility and signaling, and cardiovascular pharmacology and neuropharmacology.

Pharmacology and Toxicology MS Program Requirements

Award of MS degree in pharmacology and toxicology depends on successful completion of both didactic course study and independent research.

The didactic course requirement for the MS degree is to complete a minimum of 20 credits coursework. Courses fulfilling this requirement primarily should be core courses at the 700 or 800 level required by the program and research advisor/advisory committee. A maximum of 6 credits of courses at the 300 or 400 level can be accounted for this requirement.

Courses can be waived or replaced by other courses by the program director.

Core Courses

PC 701 - Physiology I Credits: 4
PC 702 - Physiology II Credits: 4
PC 711 - Principles of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Credits: 4
PC 740 - Pharmacology Credits: 4
PC 801 - Research Literature in Pharmacology and Toxicology Credits: 1 for 2 semesters’ attendance (required in each semester except the final one)
PC 811 - Research Techniques Laboratory Credits: 3
PC 821 - Molecular Pharmacology Credits: 3
PC 880 - Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Seminar Credits: 1 for 2 semesters’ attendance (required in each semester except the final one)
ST 704 - Statistics for Research Credits: 3

Research

All MS degree students are required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 10 research credits and defend Master’s thesis. Submission of peer-reviewed manuscript is strongly recommended.

PC 799 - Research (Master’s Level) Credits: 1 to 12 (minimum of 10 credits)

Elective Courses

Students may take the following courses in the program or courses from other programs as electives. Elective courses may be required by research advisors or program director if it is determined to be necessary for the progression of students.

PC 760 - Biopharmaceutical Proteins: Principles and Applications Credits: 3
PC 851 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology I Credits: 3
PC 852 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology II Credits: 3
PC 853 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology III Credits: 3
PC 854 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology IV Credits: 3

Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD Program Requirements

Award of PhD degree in pharmacology and toxicology depends on successful completion of didactic course study, comprehensive exams and independent research.

The didactic course requirement for the PhD degree is to complete a minimum of 20 credits coursework. Courses fulfilling this requirement primarily should be core courses at the 700 or 800 level required by the program and research advisor/advisory committee. A maximum of 6 credits of courses at the 300 or 400 level can be accounted for this requirement.

Courses can be waived or replaced by other courses by the program director.

Core Courses

PC 701 - Physiology I Credits: 4
PC 702 - Physiology II Credits: 4
PC 711 - Principles of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Credits: 4
PC 740 - Pharmacology Credits: 4
PC 801 - Research Literature in Pharmacology and Toxicology Credits: 1 for 2 semesters’ attendance (required for each semester except in the final one)
PC 811 - Research Techniques Laboratory Credits: 3
PC 821 - Molecular Pharmacology Credits: 3
PC 880 - Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Seminar Credits: 1 for 2 semesters’ attendance (required for each semester except in the final one)
ST 704 - Statistics for Research Credits: 3

Research

All PhD degree students are required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 20 research credits and defend doctoral thesis. Submission of at least one peer-reviewed manuscript is required.

PC 899 - Doctoral Research Credits: 1 to 12 (minimum of 20 credits)

Elective Courses

PC 760 - Biopharmaceutical Proteins: Principles and Applications Credits: 3
PC 851 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology I Credits: 3
PC 852 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology II Credits: 3
PC 853 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology III Credits: 3
PC 854 - Advanced Pharmacology and Toxicology IV Credits: 3

Faculty

Bin Chen
BS, MS (Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China); PhD (Catholic Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium)
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Director, Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 215.596.7481
E-mail: b.chen@usciences.edu
Research: mechanisms and therapeutic enhancement of photodynamic therapy and molecular-targeted anticancer agents.

Adeboye Adejare
BS, MS (University of Iowa); PhD (Ohio State University)
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phone: 215.596.8944
E-mail: a.adejar@usciences.edu
Research: mechanisms of neurodegeneration; drug targeting; pharmaceutical profiling; chemistry of fluoroaromatic compounds

Peter J. Harvison
BS (Carnegie Mellon University); PhD (State University of New York, Buffalo)
Abramson Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 215.596.8979
E-mail: p.harvis@usciences.edu
Research: metabolism of drugs and environmental chemicals in vivo and in vitro; role of glutathione in toxication and detoxication

Jean-Francois Jasmin
BS, PhD (University of Montreal)
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Associate Provost, Research and Graduate Education
Phone: 215-596-8512
E-mail: j.jasmin@usciences.edu
Research: identification of novel cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Zhiyu Li
BS (Nakai University, China); MS (University of Science and Technology of China); PhD (University of Maryland)
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Director, BS Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 215.596.8943
E-mail: zh.li@usciences.edu
Research: design and engineering protein-based carriers for drug formulation, targeting, and delivery; protein and nucleic acid drug delivery

Isabelle Mercier
BS (University of Montreal); MS, PhD (University of Montreal)
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phone: 215.596.7151
E-mail: i.mercier@usciences.edu
Research: focuses on finding new and more effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets to ameliorate the clinical outcome of cancer patients that develop hormone-refractory and chemo-resistant cancers. We are mainly focusing on the specific targeting of novel proteins involved in cellular metabolism with a focus on tumor microenvironment.

Catherine C. Moore
BA (Colgate University); PhD (University of Pennsylvania)
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 267.295.3180
E-mail: c.moore@usciences.edu
Research: regulation of G protein-coupled receptors in cancer cells; biochemical mechanisms of tumor metastasis involving monomeric G proteins

Raymond F. Orzechowski
BS (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science); MS, PhD (Temple University)
Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Marvin Schulte
BS (St. John’s University, Minnesota); MS, PhD (University of Minnesota)
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phone: 215.596.8903
E-mail: m.schulte@usciences.edu
Research: understanding and manipulating the underlying mechanisms involved in diseases of the central nervous system; developing new approaches to drug development and to identify new drugs relevant to the treatment of these debilitating diseases

Ruy Tchao
BS (University of Nottingham, England); PhD (University of Manchester, England)
Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 215.596.8978
E-mail: r.tchao@usciences.edu
Research: extracellular matrix molecules and effects of pharmacologic agents on cancer-cell motility and invasion; in vitro toxicity assays with epithelial cell lines

Shanaz M. Tejani-Butt
BS, MS (University of Bombay, India); PhD (Medical College of Virginia)
Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: 215.596.8594
E-mail: s.tejani@usciences.edu
Research: molecular mechanisms associated with regulation of biogenic amine transporters; the role of these systems in modulating stress responses; therapeutic actions of psychoactive agents in psychiatric disorders

Adjunct Faculty

David W. Cragin
BS (University of Rhode Island); PhD (University of California, Davis)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Lynn Flowers
PhD (West Virginia University)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Matthew V. Lorenzi
BS (Marquette University); PhD (Miami University)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Steve J. Offord
PhD (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

William Pare
PhD (Carnegie Mellon University); PhD (University of Delaware)
Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Thomas H. Rushmore
BSc (Muhlenberg College); MSc (Fairleigh Dickinson University); PhD (Thomas Jefferson University)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Barry Sachais
BS (Rutgers University); PhD (New Jersey College of Medicine)
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Lindon Young
BA (Immaculate College); PhD (University of the Sciences)
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences