Academic Programs Catalog

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Anne McLaren Dorrance, Chairperson

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is administered jointly by the colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. The College of Veterinary Medicine is the primary administrative unit. All three colleges offer a Master of Science degree program in Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology, a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology. The College of Osteopathic Medicine offers an online Master of Science degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, an online Master of Science degree program in Integrative Pharmacology, and an online Graduate Certificate program in Safety Pharmacology. 

The department is responsible for teaching the fundamental and applied aspects of pharmacology and toxicology and offers courses at the undergraduate, professional, and graduate levels.

A Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology is available to undergraduates through the College of Veterinary Medicine.


Graduate Study

The graduate programs in Pharmacology and Toxicology are primarily designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and related activities.  Research interests range from the effects of drugs and chemicals on macromolecules to their actions in humans.  Research strengths include neuropharmacology, neurotoxicology, cardiovascular pharmacology, cancer pharmacology and prevention, environmental toxicology, drug discovery, drug receptor pharmacology, gastrointestinal pharmacology, immunopharmacology, immunotoxicology, and integrative pharmacology.

The online Master of Science programs are designed for individuals who are seeking additional academic qualifications which will facilitate their advancement in their place of employment or enhance their competitiveness for admission to other advanced degree programs regardless of their geographic location or work schedule.


Integrative Pharmacology - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Integrative Pharmacology is an online program designed to train individuals in whole animal and organ systems-level pharmacology as well as to develop knowledge in business acumen. The program provides advanced science and practical knowledge in integrative pharmacology and is designed for individuals who seek career advancement and leadership roles in academic, government or industrial laboratories. The Master of Science degree in Integrative Pharmacology is especially suited to those individuals with some professional experience in laboratory research, but all graduates of biology or chemistry programs will benefit.  Course work provides freedom to explore those physiological systems that will allow students to continue to build upon their current research endeavors, while providing skills to interface with colleagues in regulatory affairs, production, and marketing.  All courses are offered online in order to provide full opportunity for students regardless of their geographic location or work schedules.

Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Applicants will be accepted into the program after review of application materials by an admissions committee rom the department.  A faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will serve as the student’s academic advisor.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with at least 3 credits in chemistry and 3 credits in a biological science.  Preference will be given to applicants with undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry or related sciences and who are currently employed in an academic, government or industrial laboratory.  A letter of intent outlining the student's interests and professional goals and two letters of recommendation are required for consideration for admission.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Integrative Pharmacology 

The student must complete at least 31 credits under Plan B (without thesis). Students may not earn more than 9 credits at the 400-level.
1. All of the following courses (14 credits):
PHM 813 Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 819 Principles of Drug-Tissue Interactions 2
PHM 822 Academic and Research Integrity 1
PHM 830 Experimental Design and Data Analysis 3
PHM 832 Applied Integrative Pharmacology Laboratory 3
PHM 850 Communications for Scientists 2
2. One of the following courses (2 to 6 credits):
PHM 895 Applied Project in Integrative Pharmacology 3 or 4
or
PHM 982 Master of Science Capstone Literature Review 2
3. Science electives (as needed to total 31 credits for the degree with a minimum of 4 credits at the 800-level):
BLD 830 Concepts in Molecular Biology 2
HM 803 Epidemiology and Public Health 3
HM 806 Environmental Factors of Health 3
HM 833 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health 3
PHM 430 Human Pharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction 3
PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
PHM 461 Tropical Medicine Pharmacology 2
PHM 483 Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases 3
PHM 492 Pharmacotherapy of Human Viral Infections 2
PHM 811 Global Health: Pharmacology and Toxicology Perspective 2
PHM 817 Neurotoxicology 2
PHM 818 Practical Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Modeling and Simulation in Drug Development 1
PHM 823 Current Topics in Pharmacology and Toxicology 1
PHM 828 Concepts in Carcinogenesis 2
PHM 829 Neuropharmacology 2
PHM 831 Endocrine Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 833 Gastro-Intestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 834 Respiratory Pharmacology 2
PHM 835 Biopharmaceuticals: From Development to Manufacturing 3
PHM 837 Autonomic Pharmacology 1
PHM 838 Pharmacogenomics 2
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology 2
PHM 841 Cellular and Molecular Toxicology 3
VM 812 Food Safety Toxicology 3
4. Professional electives (4 to 7 credits):
BLD 842 Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
PHM 851 Intellectual Property and Patent Law for Biomedical Sciences 2
PHM 854 Leadership and Team-Building for Biomedical Research 2
PHM 855 The Business of Biomedical Research Organizations 2
PHM 857 Project Management 2
PHM 858 Project Management and the Drug Development Process 3


Academic Standards

Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Integrative Pharmacology are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0. A student who does not maintain a 3.0 grade-point average will be placed on probation. Students will be given one year of enrollment to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average, otherwise, dismissal from the program may result.


Pharmacology and Toxicology


Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology - Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The program leading to the Master of Science degree is usually restricted to those persons who have a medical doctorate or who are concurrently enrolled in a medical doctoral program.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology

The Master of Science in Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology serves to broaden the scope of professional training to encompass scientific inquiry.

The student must complete 30 credits under Plan A (with thesis) as approved by the student’s guidance committee.

 


Pharmacology and Toxicology - Master of Science

The program is designed to train individuals in molecular, cellular and organ systems pharmacology and provides advanced science knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology  for individuals who are seeking additional academic qualifications that will facilitate their advancement in their place of employment and enhance their competitiveness for admission to degree programs. Online courses provide full opportunity for students regardless of their geographic location, work schedules, or family responsibilities.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Applicants will be accepted into the program after review of application materials by an admissions committee from the department. A member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will serve as the student’s academic advisor and will assist the student in planning a program of study related to the student’s interests and professional goals.

Applicants must:

  1. have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. have earned at least 3 credits in chemistry and 3 credits in biological science.
  3. submit a letter of intent outlining the student’s interests and professional goals.
  4. submit two letters of recommendation.
  5. present evidence of competency in English if English is not the first language. Competency may be assessed with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) scores.

Preference will be given to applicants with undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, or related sciences.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology

The Master of Science degree program is available only under Plan B (without thesis) and is offered entirely online. The student must complete 31 credits as approved by the student’s advisor. Optional concentrations are available in pharmacology and in toxicology.

The student must:

1.  Complete all of the following core courses (10 credits):
PHM 819 Principles of Drug-Tissue Interactions 2
PHM 822 Academic and Research Integrity 1
PHM 830 Experimental Design and Data Analysis 3
PHM 850 Communications for Scientists 2
PHM 982 Master of Science Capstone Literature Review 2
2. Complete up to 21 credits, a minimum of 7 credits of 800-level PHM courses and a maximum of 9 credits of 400-level courses of science electives chosen from the following:
BLD 830 Concepts in Molecular Biology 2
HM 803 Epidemiology and Public Health 3
HM 806 Environmental Factors of Health 3
HM 833 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health 3
PHM 430 Human Pharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addition 3
PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
PHM 461 Tropical Medicine Pharmacology 2
PHM 483 Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases 3
PHM 492 Pharmacotherapy of Human Viral Infections 2
PHM 811 Global Health: Pharmacology and Toxicology Perspective 2
PHM 813 Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 817 Neurotoxicology 2
PHM 818 Practical Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Modeling and Simulation in Drug Development 1
PHM 823 Current Topics in Pharmacology and Toxicology 1
PHM 828 Concepts in Carcinogenesis 2
PHM 829 Neuropharmacology 2
PHM 831 Endocrine Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 833 Gastro-Intestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 834 Respiratory Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 835 Biopharmaceuticals: From Development to Manufacturing 3
PHM 837 Autonomic Pharmacology 1
PHM 838 Pharmacogenomics 2
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology 2
PHM 841 Cellular and Molecular Toxicology 3
VM 812 Food Safety Toxicology 3
3. Complete no more than 5 credits of professional electives:
BLD 842 Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
PHM 851 Intellectual Property and Patent Law for Biomedical Sciences 2
PHM 854 Leadership and Team-Building for Biomedical Research 2
PHM 855 The Business of Biomedical Research Organizations 2
PHM 857 Project Management 2
PHM 858 Drug Development Process 3
4. Completion of a final examination or evaluation.
Students who wish to complete a Pharmacology concentration must complete all core courses listed in item 1. above and the following:
1. Complete 8 credits from the following:
HM 833 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health 3
PHM 430 Human Pharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addition 3
PHM 813 Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 829 Neuropharmacology 2
PHM 834 Respiratory Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 835 Biopharmaceuticals: From Development to Manufacturing 3
PHM 837 Autonomic Pharmacology 1
2. Other elective science courses:
BLD 830 Concepts in Molecular Biology 2
HM 803 Epidemiology and Public Health 3
HM 806 Environmental Factors of Health 3
PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
PHM 461 Tropical Medicine Pharmacology 2
PHM 483 Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases 3
PHM 817 Neurotoxicology 2
PHM 828 Concepts of Carcinogenesis 2
PHM 831 Endocrine Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 833 Gastro-Intestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology 2
PHM 841 Cellular and Molecular Toxicology 3
VM 812 Food Safety Toxicology 3
3. Professional Elective Courses (not more than 5 credits):
BLD 842 Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
PHM 851 Intellectual Property and Patent Law for Biomedical Sciences 2
PHM 854 Leadership and Team-Building for Biomedical Research 2
PHM 855 The Business of Biomedical Research Organizations 2
PHM 857 Project Management 2
PHM 858 Drug Development Process 3
Students who wish to complete a Toxicology concentration must complete all core courses listed in item 1. above and the following:
1. Complete 8 credits from the following:
HM 806 Environmental Factors of Health 3
PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
PHM 817 Neurotoxicology 2
PHM 828 Concepts in Carcinogenesis 2
PHM 841 Cellular and Molecular Toxicology 3
VM 812 Food Safety Toxicology 3
2. Other elective science courses:
BLD 830 Concepts in Molecular Biology 2
HM 803 Epidemiology and Public Health 3
HM 833 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health 3
PHM 430 Human Pharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addition 3
PHM 461 Tropical Medicine Pharmacology 2
PHM 483 Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases 3
PHM 813 Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 829 Neuropharmacology 2
PHM 831 Endocrine Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 833 Gastro-Intestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 834 Respiratory Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 835 Biopharmaceuticals: Development to Manufacturing 3
PHM 837 Autonomic Pharmacology 1
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology 2
3. Professional Elective Courses (not more than 5 credits):
BLD 842 Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
PHM 851 Intellectual Property and Patent Law for Biomedical Sciences 2
PHM 854 Leadership and Team-Building for Biomedical Research 2
PHM 855 The Business of Biomedical Research Organizations 2
PHM 857 Project Management 2
PHM 858 Drug Development Process 3


Academic Standards

Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0. A student who does not maintain a 3.0 grade-point average will be placed on probation and given one year of enrollment to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average, or dismissal from the program may result.


Pharmacology and Toxicology - Doctor of Philosophy

The principal objective of the departmental Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is to prepare students for pharmacology- and toxicology-related careers. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Human Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to the doctoral program is conducted by the BioMolecular Science Gateway. An applicant to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution. Applicants who hold a master’s degree may also apply.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology

During the first two years of the program, the primary objective is to provide students with a firm foundation and a broad background from which they may specialize in a more sharply delineated aspect of the discipline. This objective is accomplished in two ways:  (1) specific course requirements including biometry, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology and (2) laboratory rotations with two different faculty members during the first year.

The comprehensive preliminary examination is given by the end of the second year. It consists of a written examination and an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal to the student's dissertation committee.

The potential areas of specialization for dissertation research are limited to those areas which are afforded by the research interests of the faculty.

Approximately four and one–half calendar years of study beyond the bachelor's degree are needed to meet the requirements.

Students must complete the following required courses for the degree:

1. All of the following courses (10 credits):
PHM 801 Fundamental Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 802 Cellular, Molecular and Integrated Systems Pharmacology 3
PHM 803 Chemical Disposition in Mammals 1
PHM 816 Integrative Toxicology: Mechanisms, Pathology and Regulation 3
2. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
PHM 827 Physiology and Pharmacology of Excitable Cells 4
PSL 828 Cellular and Integrative Physiology I 3
PSL 829 Cellular and Integrative Physiology II 3
3. One of the following courses (3 credits):
BMB 801 Molecular Biology 3
BMB 802 Metabolic Regulation and Signal Transduction 3
4. The following course (24 to 36 credits):
PHM 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research 24 to 36
5. Successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.


Academic Standards

A candidate must maintain at least a 3.0 grade in all required PHM courses.

 


Safety Pharmacology - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology is an online program designed to train individuals in safety pharmacology, a distinct scientific discipline that incorporates the concepts of pharmacology, physiology, and toxicology. Students will examine the potential undesirable pharmacodynamic effects of substances on physiological functions in the cardiovascular, central nervous, and respiratory systems. The program follows the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for safety pharmacology and is aligned with FDA regulations. By providing advanced science knowledge and training in safety pharmacology guidelines, students will be prepared to face the challenges of risk-benefit assessments required for evaluation of drug safety.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology, students must:

  1. Have a bachelor’s degree with at least one course in biology and one course in chemistry.
  2. Write a reflective essay about why this certificate program would be well-suited for their future work.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology

Students must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the following courses (11 credits):

1. All of the following courses (7 credits):
PHM 819 Principles of Drug-Tissue Interactions 2
PHM 858 Drug Development Process 3
PHM 840 Safety Pharmacology 2
Students must attain grades of at least 3.0 in these core courses and an overall grade-point average of 3.00.
2. At least 4 credits chosen from the following courses (4 credits):
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction 3
PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
PHM 813 Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3
PHM 817 Neurotoxicology 2
PHM 829 Neuropharmacology 2
PHM 830 Experimental Design and Data Analysis 3
PHM 831 Endocrine Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 833 Gastro-Intestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology 2
PHM 834 Respiratory Pharmacology 2
PHM 835 Biopharmaceuticals: From Development to Manufacturing 3
PHM 841 Cellular and Molecular Toxicology 3
PHM 857 Project Management 2
3. Create an electronic portfolio.

BioMolecular Science Gateway - First Year

Students are encouraged to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program through the BioMolecular Science Gateway – First Year, where students choose a doctoral major from any of six Ph.D. programs: biochemistry and molecular biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics and genome sciences, microbiology and molecular genetics, pharmacology and toxicology, or physiology. For additional information refer to the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.