Pharmacology, MS

Program Description

The College offers an 11-month, 34-credit, accelerated program leading to the award of a Master of Science in Pharmacology degree. The program is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive background in medical pharmacology, basic biochemistry and the physiologic and pathophysiologic basis for drug therapy. Successful completion of this program will fully prepare a candidate for additional medical or basic research training.

Admission and Selection

General requirements are a bachelor’s degree with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 from an accredited college or university. Students may submit competitive MCAT scores or a Graduate Record Examination combined score (verbal and quantitative) of at least 300 for the revised exam. For students whose native language is not English, a score of at least 213/79 on the computer-based/Internet-based TOEFL or evidence of proficiency in English. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be provided.

Technical Standards and Accommodations

The minimum abilities for eligibility to participate successfully in educational programs and activities by students enrolled in the College of Graduate Health Sciences are listed below. All persons who wish to enter one of the programs in the College should be aware of the minimum abilities required for success. Admission decisions for the College programs do not take disabilities into consideration; students may disclose their disabilities after admission.

Minimum abilities are as follows:

1. To make proper assessments and ethical judgments regarding research and professional decisions.
2. To communicate effectively with colleagues and professional staff.
3. To acquire necessary information developed through classroom instruction, laboratory experience, independent learning, and consultation.
4. To search and evaluate articles in the scientific literature.
5. To obtain, interpret, and accurately document research data.
6. To complete computer-based assignments and use computers.
7. To understand and carry out safety rules and precautions in the laboratory.
8. To handle emergencies in the laboratory, including fire, exposure to dangerous agents, and explosions.

These abilities may be accomplished through direct student response, use of prosthetic devices, or personal assistance (e.g., readers, signers, and note takers). Purchase of prosthetic devices to aid the student in meeting these requirements is the responsibility of the student. On a case-by-case basis and upon written request of the student, the College may assist in providing attending services.

Upon admission, students are invited to disclose any disabilities (with certification) to the Student Academic Support Services and Inclusion (SASSI) https://www.uthsc.edu/sassi/. The college will provide reasonable accommodations, as required by the student’s documented disabilities with SASSI, and at the student’s written request to the Dean, College of Graduate Health Sciences. In summary, the mission of the college is to prepare students for the practice of biomedical research and teaching. The College of Graduate Health Sciences, in accord with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Public Law 101-336), has established the aforementioned essential functions of graduate students. The college will consider for admission applicants who demonstrate the ability to perform or to learn to perform the essential skills required for a career in biomedical research. Students will be judged primarily on their scholastic accomplishments in demanding academic courses as well as the ability to perform research and prepare a thesis or doctoral dissertation of high quality. Candidates will also be judged on physical and emotional capacities for a career in biomedical research.