Program Overview

Introduction to the M.S. in Pharmacognosy

The M.S. in Pharmacognosy is a dynamic pharmaceutical sciences degree that focuses on the chemistry and pharmacology of bioactive natural products and their application in disease treatments. This area of study delves into the chemistry, origins, and biological functions of small molecules found in nature, whether from plants, animals, fungi, or microbes across diverse environments.

About the M.S. in Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy, or natural products research, has its roots in the earliest herbal remedies developed by indigenous cultures and continues to play a pivotal role in modern science. The program builds on traditional methods with cutting-edge approaches, including molecular biology and advanced analytical chemistry to explore how natural products are biosynthesized and their roles within ecosystems.

Program Information

Degree

• M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Emphases

• Pharmacognosy

Required Credit Hours

• 30 - 36 Hours

Program Type

• Master's Program

Program Location

• Oxford

School

• School of Pharmacy

Duration

• 2 - 3 Years

Pharmacognosy Program Details

Degree Requirements

M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Minimum total credit hours: 30
• Course requirements:
  • Graduate Student Survival Strategies (BMS 601) (2 hours)
  • Biosynthesis (Phcg 627) (3 hours)
  • Advanced Biochemistry (Phcg 620, or equivalent) (3 hours)
  • 500/600/700-level elective courses (500-level courses require adviser approval) (12 hours)
• Seminar requirement: Students must register for BMS 643 (Z grade) every semester, except when presenting a seminar, and instead register for BMS 641 (graded). No more than four seminar hours can be used toward the 24 minimum total credit hours.
• Thesis requirement: A minimum of 6 hours of thesis research must be taken to meet degree requirements.

Other Academic Requirements

• A thesis based on experimental work in the general area of pharmacognosy is required.
• Pharmacognosy graduate students must meet a high level of academic achievement to maintain eligibility, with an expected overall GPA of at least 3.0 (B).

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

• Fall: February 1
• Spring: October 1

Application Requirements

• Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member in the applicants major study area.
• A statement of purpose.
• Undergraduate/graduate transcript(s).
• IELTS/TOEFL score (institutional code for the University of Mississippi is 1840, department code for TOEFL is 99).
• GRE score is not required for admission.

Research Areas

The program emphasizes both basic and applied research, offering pathways to explore cutting-edge solutions for global health challenges. As a graduate student in the BioMolecular Sciences (BMS) programs, students thrive in a collaborative environment focused on improving health and quality of life through innovative research.

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