Professional Pharmaceutical Development 1 – PSCI 510
0.5 credit hours
This required course is designed to enable students to effectively and accurately communicate through writing and develop their interpersonal skills to become effective communicators, listeners and team players.
Foundations of Pharmacology and Cell Biology – PSCI 511
1.5 credit hours
This course begins with the background material in cell biology necessary for understanding the latter section on pharmacology and bioprocessing. The pharmacology, case studies and production of insulin will be used as a prototype protein drug. The focus will be on experimental methods for discovery of the biochemical mechanisms of cell function and drug action.
Basic Protein Properties and HPLC Theory – PSCI 512
1.5 credit hours
The lecture course covers advanced analysis of proteins from a theoretical standpoint and introduces the concept of bioassay. The analytical techniques covered are commonly used as part of the Quality Control for industrial production of proteins. Theory and applications of liquid chromatography, appropriate sample preparation techniques, and method justification are discussed.
Foundational Analytical Lab Skills 1 – PSCI 513
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the use and application of basic analytical techniques used in the pharmaceutical industry, such as, spectroscopy and chromatography.
Intermediate Cell Biology and Bioreactors – PSCI 521
1.5 credit hours
This course continues with more advanced material in cell biology necessary for understanding the latter section on cellular and molecular pharmacology. The focus will be on experimental methods for Bioreactors and Cell culture techniques.
Method Development and Validation – PSCI 522
1.5 credit hours
The lecture continues the discussion of liquid chromatography delving into the method and techniques of HPLC method development. The lecture continues on the chromatographic concept of adsorption. Aspects of Validation are discussed from a risk based approach and concludes with cleaning validation.
Production and Purification of Biologics Lab Skills – PSCI 523
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the techniques to successfully complete a bioreactor run and maintain a healthy mammalian cell culture line.
Method Development and Validation Lab Skills – PSCI 524
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the development, optimization and validation of HPLC chromatography. Aspects of affinity chromatography will also be covered.
Professional Pharmaceutical Development 2 – PSCI 530
1 credit hour
This course is designed to enable students to effectively and accurately communicate through writing and develop their interpersonal skills to become effective communicators, listeners and team players.
Intermediate Pharmacology – PSCI 531
1.5 credit hours
This course builds upon the background material from previous courses to develop an understanding of cellular and molecular pharmacology. The pharmacology of drugs to treat depression will be used as an example to illustrate drug. The focus will be on theory for discovery of the biochemical mechanisms of cell function and drug action.
Foundations of Pharmaceutics – PSCI 532
1.5 credit hours
This course builds upon the background material from previous courses to develop an understanding of pharmacokinetics and introductory drug delivery. The pharmacology of drugs to treat depression will be used as an example to illustrate drug. The focus will be on theory for discovery of the biochemical mechanisms of cell function and drug action.
Pharmacology Lab – PSCI 533
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the use and application of pharmacology laboratory techniques used in drug development.
Intermediate Biotechnology – PSCI 541
1.5 credit hours
This course builds upon the background material from previous courses to develop an understanding of proteins and HPLC. The focus will be on theory for discovery of the biochemical mechanisms of cell function and drug action.
Intermediate Pharmaceutics – PSCI 542
1.5 credit hours
This course builds upon the background material from previous courses to develop a further understanding of the principles of pharmaceutics and dosage formulation.
Protein Lab Skills – PSCI 543
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the use and application of in vivo laboratory techniques used in drug development for studying proteins.
Drug Formulation Lab Skills – PSCI 544
1 credit hour
The course will emphasize the use and application of laboratory techniques used in drug development for drug formulation.
New Product Development – IPE 515S
2 credit hours
In this course, students will explore how new drugs are made available for ultimate use in appropriate patients. Topics covered include unmet medical needs, discovery, pre-clinical and clinical development, regulatory pathways, and the roles of various healthcare professionals. The goal of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to learn the contemporary processes that lead to discovery and development of medications that address unmet medical needs.
Note: This is an online course required for all MS in Clinical Research and MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences students.
Research Proposal – PSCI 610
1.5 credit hours
This course is intended to provide students with an understanding and practical experience in rational study design to test a specific hypothesis. It is typically taken in the 6th block of the program.
Co-op – PSCI 611
3 – 4 credit hours
The CO-OP provides practical experience in the pharmaceutical, chemical or biotechnology industries. Students and participating industrial facilities are matched to provide a comprehensive work experience. Students present an overview of the companies in which they worked and provide a synopsis of their roles in the organizations during their internship.
Research Project – PSCI 690
4 credit hours
This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth understanding of research. This is achieved by an intensive, hands-on laboratory experience in research methods and strategies used to test a specific hypothesis. Unlike other courses in the MSPS program, this course is semester-long and should be taken in the final semester of the MSPS program.
Elective Courses
PSCI 604 – Advanced Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Credits: 1-2 hours
This advanced research elective course is in- tended to provide students with a practical, hands-on, application of previously obtained knowledge from the didactic setting. Alter- natively, this course may be used for other scholarly pursuits such as a research paper to investigate primary literature for a thorough review of a specific area of scientific inquiry that is timely, rigorous, and novel. This course will involve a minimum of 42 hours of work per credit hour throughout the block or semester. The research project will be conducted under the guidance of a Faculty Research Advisor (FRA) with consultation with the course director. The student will utilize prior didactic experience in the MSPS program to propose, design, and conduct the research assignment.
PSCI 640 – Bioinformatics
Credits: 1 hour
This course looks at a growing area in molecular biology and biotechnology called bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. We will explore topics like DNA sequencing (Sanger and Next Gen), the human genome project, primer design, NCBI data- base navigation, data mining for genomes and gene expression, microarrays, Pubmed, BLAST searches, and restriction mapping. This course will be primarily lecture with some in silico in-class activities. Knowledge and experience in this area would be beneficial in the biotechnology and bioprocessing industries.
PSCI 642 – Molecular Biology and Cloning
Credits: 2 hours
This course further explores techniques commonly used in molecular biology, specifically cloning and PCR. We will explore topics like agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR (including qPCR), primer design, site-directed mutagenesis, CRISPR, restriction endonuclease digestion and ligation of DNA, vectors, and siRNAs. This course will be a mixture of lecture and lab to maximize didactic and hands-on learning. Experience with these techniques is integral for any student that wishes to pursue a career in biotechnology or bioprocessing.
PSCI 650 – Special Topic: Advanced Chromatography
Credits: 1 hour
The course presents advanced practices and applications of separation techniques including gas and liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and appropriate sample preparation techniques for analysis of complex chemical and pharmaceutical samples.
PSCI 652 – Advanced Spectroscopy
Credits: 1.5 hours
The course presents advance spectroscopic techniques through the basic principles of interaction of light and matter for analysis of pharmaceutical compounds and excipients. It covers theories, instrumentation, and interpretations of data for mass spectrometry, and various types of spectrophotometry including MS, PXRD, AA/AES, and IR/ Raman.
PSCI 660 – Advanced Pharmaceutics: Non-Sterile Formulations
Credits: 2 hours
This course expands on the industrial pharmacy applications that were taught during the first year of the MSPS program. It emphasizes areas in pharmaceutics that are relevant to the practice. Dosage form development, physical and chemical characterization, oral solid and liquids formulation aspects, and sampling of raw materials and packaging components will be discussed from the point of view of non-sterile dosage forms. Lab exercises are also integrated with the lectures to provide hands-on experience to students.
PSCI 662 – Advanced Pharmaceutics: Sterile Formulations
Credits: 2 hours
This course expands on the industrial pharmacy applications that were taught during the first year of the MSPS program. It emphasizes areas in pharmaceutics that are relevant to the practice. Dosage form development, physical and chemical characterization, oral solid and liquids formulation aspects, and sampling of raw materials and packaging components will be discussed from the point of view of sterile dosage forms. Lab exercises are also integrated with the lectures to provide hands-on experience to students.
PSCI 664– Design of Experiments (DoE)
Credits: 2 hours
This course demonstrates the applications of an advanced statistical tool, DoE, as data evaluation and predictive tools in pharmaceutical research and industrial operations.
PSCI 668 – Quality by Design
Credits: 1 hour
The course will discuss the concept of quality by design and its applications in drug product development. The objectives and elements of pharmaceutical quality by design will be discussed. It will focus on its applications in product development and manufacturing.
PSCI 670 – Drug Discovery & Development I
Credits: 1 hour
This course and PSCI 671 go through each step in the discovery and pre-clinical development of a new drug, except for formulation and manufacturing topics, which will be offered in other courses. Using one particular drug as an example, many hands-on labs are included.
PSCI 671 – Drug Discovery & Development II
Credits: 1 hour
This course is the sequel to PSCI 670 and continues the step in the discovery and pre-clinical development of a new drug, except for formulation and manufacturing topics, which will be offered in other courses. Using one particular drug as an example, many hands-on labs are included.
PSCI 672 – Pharmacogenomics
Credits: 1 hour
Pharmacogenomics explores the genetic differences in humans for optimal drug response. It is applicable in drug development and clinical practice. This course will provide the students with an understanding of the basic principles of genetics and pharmacogenomics as they relate to the variability in drug response. Additionally, it will provide an understanding of the basic principles of the molecular techniques and genetic tests that are currently utilized in drug development and clinical drug use.
PSCI 674 – Applied Pharmacokinetics Using PKPD Software
Credits: 1 hour
Phoenix WinNonLin and NONMEM are two major Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PKPD) computer programs/software approved by the US-FDA and used in the industrial and clinical settings for pharmacokinetic analysis and PKPD modeling. This course trains students in hands-on use of Phoenix WinNonLin software and provides necessary familiarity and competencies that prepare students for industrial and clinical pharmacokinetics. Material is presented in both lectures and supervised hands-on sessions, during which students will do inter- active programming.
PSCI 678 – Herbal Medicine
Credits: 1 hour
Herbal remedies recently being used as alter- native solution to treat and prevent different diseases. The most commonly available herbs and natural products will be covered concerning their therapeutic effect and the dosage forms. In addition, an overview of the Eastern therapies will be presented.
PSCI 679 – Botanical Medicine Seminar
Credits: 1 hour
This course offers the student the opportunity to expand his/her knowledge in dietary supplements, in particular, those of botanical origin. The course is taught in an environment where students are encouraged to express their opinion on the use of these supplements in therapy. Rules governing dietary supplements and agencies responsible for monitoring their use are also discussed.
PSCI 680 – Applied Statistical Research
Credits: 2 hours
This course offers the student pharmaceutical scientist the opportunity to learn how to use JMP® Statistical Discovery Software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) in managing, analyzing, and reporting basic/pharmaceutical science research data. It serves to prepare the student pharmaceutical scientist for designing their research in basic sciences study.
PSCI 682 – Multivariate Analysis Techniques (MVA)
Credits: 1 hour
This course demonstrates the applications of advanced statistical tools, MVA techniques, as data evaluation and predictive tools in pharmaceutical research and industrial operations.
PSCI 684 – Multicultural Health Practices and Health Disparities
Credits: 1 hour
This course is designed to provide the student with a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and cultural disparities that can impact receipt of health- care. Furthermore, this course is designed to help students become more competent in providing compassionate care to the patient populations discussed.