Program Overview

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Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences program introduces students to cutting-edge approaches in drug discovery, formulation, development, and application, as well as the toxicology of drugs and other xenobiotics. This program prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry or in the health sciences.

Flexibility to Tailor to Your Specialty

While completing a 9-credit hour core curriculum, students can tailor their training program with 21 or more credit hours of work in one of five specialty tracks based on their career interests. All specialty tracks are offered in a remote learning or on-campus format:

• Cannabis Science and Medicine
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Drug Discovery
• Molecular and Systems Toxicology
• Biotechnology and Drug Delivery

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

Applications for all master's and doctoral programs are submitted electronically through the Graduate School of the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.

Program Entry Requirements

The MSPS program welcomes applications from U.S. and international students who have completed a minimum of a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in a chemical, biological, or pharmaceutical science.

Curriculum

A minimum of 30 credits is required for completion of the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, inclusive of either 6 credits for a laboratory research thesis project or 3 credits for a literature-based capstone project.

Fall Semester

• Required core curriculum course: PHSC 7310 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences I (3 credits)
• Required core curriculum course: PHSC 7400 Ethical Issues in Toxicology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit)
• Required core curriculum course: PHSC 7565 Applied Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences & Toxicology (2 credits)

Spring Semester

• Required core curriculum course: PHSC 7315 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences II (3 credits)

Summer Semester

• Required core curriculum: PHSC 6950 Master's Thesis in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2 credits) or PHSC 6990 Capstone in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit)

Specialty Tracks

Cannabis Science and Medicine

• Prerequisites: B.S. or B.A. in a biological, chemical, or health/medical science
• Course Delivery and Academic Requirements: The online nature of the course and self-directed learning modules will allow flexibility for learners and offer wide geographic engagement.
• Tuition: $773 per credit hour for Colorado residents and $995 per credit hour for out-of-state and international students

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

• Description: Pharmacokinetics (PK) examines the factors that influence the concentration of a drug at a site of action.
• Curriculum:
  • Fall: PHSC 7310 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences I (3 credits), PHSC 7400 Ethical Issues in Toxicology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit), PHSC 7565 Applied Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences & Toxicology (2 credits)
  • Spring: PHSC 7315 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences II (3 credits), PHSC 7665 Pharmacokinetic Principles & Application (3 credits)

Drug Discovery

• Description: Modern drug discovery has been transformed by the integration of medicinal chemistry with systems approaches, computational and high throughput screening, and bioinformatics.
• Curriculum:
  • Fall: PHSC 7310 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences I (3 credits), PHSC 7400 Ethical Issues in Toxicology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit), PHSC 7565 Applied Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences & Toxicology (2 credits)
  • Spring: PHSC 7315 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences II (3 credits), PHSC 7328 Computational Design in Drug Discovery (3 credits)

Molecular and Systems Toxicology

• Description: Mechanistic toxicology has been transformed by the application of systems approaches and the integration of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques to elucidate molecular mechanisms of toxicity.
• Curriculum:
  • Fall: PHSC 7310 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences I (3 credits), PHSC 7400 Ethical Issues in Toxicology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit), PHSC 7565 Applied Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences & Toxicology (2 credits)
  • Spring: PHSC 7315 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences II (3 credits), TXCL 7322 Molecular & Target Organ Toxicology (3 credits)

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Drug Delivery

• Description: Biologic-based drugs have revolutionized the treatment of cancer and other immune- and inflammatory-based diseases.
• Curriculum:
  • Fall: PHSC 7310 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences I (3 credits), PHSC 7400 Ethical Issues in Toxicology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (1 credit), PHSC 7565 Applied Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences & Toxicology (2 credits)
  • Spring: PHSC 7315 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences II (3 credits), PHSC 7653 Protein Formulation (2 credits)

Graduate Learning Objectives

Each graduate degree program (MS, PhD) at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences sets their own Graduate Program Learning Objectives for the students enrolled in each program.

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Capstone, Non-Thesis Path)

1. Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences.
2. Critically evaluate the scientific literature.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in assimilating and interpreting assigned subject matter.
4. Develop basic skills in the responsible conduct of research.
5. Communicate scientific assessments effectively through oral presentations and written reports.
6. Establish a professional plan for a career in science.

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Thesis Path)

1. Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences.
2. Critically evaluate the scientific literature.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in subject matter related to thesis research.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in assimilating and interpreting assigned subject matter.
5. Develop basic skills in the responsible conduct of research.
6. Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations and written reports and publications.
7. Present research results at regional or national meetings, and in peer-reviewed publications or thesis.
8. Establish a professional plan for a career in science.

Tuition

Tuition for this program is $773 per credit hour for Colorado residents and $995 per credit hour for out-of-state and international students, for a program total of $23,190 (in-state) to $37,080 (out-of-state/international).

Accreditation

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.