Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS

 Return to: Programs of Study

• Clinical Investigation Concentration

Program Description:

The Program of Study leading to the Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology will prepare students for careers in industry, government, education, medicine, and research organizations or for further professional training. Our students are recruited from universities worldwide, as well as military, medical, and industrial sectors.

Our master’s program differs from other graduate-level programs currently offered at Wright State University, both conceptually and with respect to employment and career opportunities. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the broad range of theoretical concepts that comprise pharmacology and toxicology, including both historical context and state-of-the-art technical approaches to solving pharmacological and toxicological problems. Our department’s goal of providing students, in a cohort environment, with a career-oriented yet theoretically based education will be accomplished within the core curriculum through the combination of text and literature-based lectures, department-sponsored seminars, and in-depth dialogue between students and faculty. Our programs also provide students with the opportunities to carry out ground-breaking research using a variety of systems and approaches ranging from molecules to animal and human studies. We offer a choice of study options in which to receive the Master of Science degree:  Research-based (thesis) option and Leader/Administration option. Additionally, our department offers a dual-degree option, available only for current Boonshoft School of Medicine students. Please review each program option below for more specific information.

Admissions Requirements:

Applicants must fulfill the requirements for admission established by the Graduate School. A baccalaureate degree in physical, chemical, or life sciences with undergraduate-level courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology is generally required. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. A personal goals statement and three letters of recommendation are required. For international students, a TOEFL minimum score of 213(CBT) or 79/120(IBT) or a band 6 through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Students pursuing the dual-degree (MD/MS) option must be enrolled in the MD program with the Boonshoft School of Medicine and have successfully completed their first year of the MD curriculum.

For additional information:

• Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Boonshoft School of Medicine

Program Requirements:

To qualify for the Master of Science degree, students must satisfy the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, as well as the program requirements. Students will participate with faculty in intramural seminars and a weekly Journal Club and may be selected to attend and present your research findings at local and national scientific meetings and conferences. Each student must have an advisory committee, which will consist of two members of the Pharmacology and Toxicology faculty and the advisor. The committee will monitor the student’s progress and service as the examination group for the oral exam. Each master’s option has its own specific requirements; more information is provided under the Programs of Study Requirements.

Programs of Study Requirements

I. RESEARCH-BASED (THESIS) OPTION: 30 CREDIT HOURS

During the first year, thesis-option students will be required to enroll in 12-15 hours of didactic course work supplemented by laboratory rotations and research activities. During the second year, students will focus on developing a research-based thesis culminating with an oral thesis defense. Students are required to attend department seminars. This option is only available via classroom/laboratory setting.

• Fall year 1:

• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7003 - Biokinetics/ Biodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7010 - Research Techniques Credit Hour(s): 4
• PTX 7012 - Introduction to Research Credit Hour(s): 1

•  

• Spring year 1:

• PTX 7001 - Cellular Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7011 - Thesis Development Workshop Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX XXXX - Student Choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3

• One of the following, Research Project Dependent:

• PTX 9100 - Pharmacology Graduate Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 18

• or

• PTX 9200 - Pharmacology Clinical Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

•  

  Summer year 1:

• One of the following, Research Project Dependent:  (Present Oral Proposal)

  • PTX 9100 - Pharmacology Graduate Research Credit Hour(s): 1

  or

  • PTX 9200 - Pharmacology clinical Research Cerdit Hour(s): 1

•  

  Fall year 2:

  One of the following, Research Project Dependent:  (Complete Laboratory Work)

  • PTX 9100 - Pharmacology Graduate Research Credit Hour(s): 1

  or

  • PTX 9200 - Pharmacology clinical Research Cerdit Hour(s): 1

•  

  Spring year 2:

  One of the following, Research Project Dependent:  (Defend Thesis)

  • PTX 9100 - Pharmacology Graduate Research Credit Hour(s): 1

  or

  • PTX 9200 - Pharmacology clinical Research Cerdit Hour(s): 1

  (Minimum 1 credit hour in the semester that student defends his or her thesis.)

ELECTIVES:

• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8000 - Selected Topics-Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
• PTX 8001 - Lab Safety Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8002 - Principles of Biomedical Research Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8004 - Medical Chemical, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8005 - Medical Biological Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8006 - Case Studies for CBRN Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8007 - Career Planning in Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8013 - Communications in Science Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8016 - Neuropharmacology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8020 - Pharmacology and Toxicology of DNA Damaging Agents Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8040 - Good Laboratory Practices Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8060 - Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8061 - Lean Six Sigma, Black Belt Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8070 - Cell Culture Training Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8080 - Wound Healing Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8130 - NanoMedicine Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8140 - Human Studies Research Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8260 - Microbiology & Immunology Credit Hour(s): 4

II. LEADER/ADMINISTRATION (NON-THESIS) OPTION: 30 CREDIT HOURS

Students preferring the non-thesis option enroll in 21 hours of core coursework and an additional 9 hours of elective courses. the non-thesis program requires a scientific review and a final oral exam. Students are required to attend department seminars. This option is available fully online or in a classroom setting. This option may be completed in one academic year or two academic years.

• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX 7001 - Cellular Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 (take twice)
• PTX 7003 - Biokinetics/ Biodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7021 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 1 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7022 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 2 Credit Hour(s): 3
• Electives (complete the number of electives needed to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours)

ONE-YEAR LEADER/ADMIN OPTION:

Fall year 1

• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• XXX XXXX - Out-of-dept Journal Club Credit Hour(s): 1 
• PTX 7003 - Biokinetics/ Biodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7021 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 1 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3

Spring year 1

• PTX 7001 - Cellular Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7022 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 2 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3

TWO-YEAR LEADER/ADMIN OPTION:

Fall year 1

• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7003 - Biokinetics/ Biodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7021 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 1 Credit Hour(s): 3
• XXX XXXX -Out-of-dept Journal Club Credit Hour(s): 1

Spring year 1

• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7022 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 2 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7001 - Cellular Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1

Fall year 2

• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3

Spring year 2

• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX XXXX - Student choice of Elective Credit Hour(s): 3

ELECTIVES:

• PTX 6002 - Introduction to Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 6003 - Introduction to Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7010 - Research Techniques Credit Hour(s): 4
• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8000 - Selected Topics-Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
• PTX 8001 - Lab Safety Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8004 - Medical Chemical, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8005 - Medical Biological Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8006 - Case Studies for CBRN Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8007 - Career Planning in Pharmacology and Toxicology Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8010 - Clinical Research: Roles and Responsibilities Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8013 - Communications in Science Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8014 - Integrative Pharmacology and Toxicology Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8040 - Good Laboratory Practices Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8060 - Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8061 - Lean Six Sigma, Black Belt Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8070 - Cell Culture Training Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 8120 - Case Studies for Chemical Biological Radiological Defense Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8130 - NanoMedicine Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8140 - Human Studies Research Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8260 - Microbiology & Immunology Credit Hour(s): 4

III. CLINICAL TRIALS COORDINATION CONCENTRATION (NON-THESIS): 30 CREDIT HOURS

Students preferring a concentration in clinical trials and clinical research related to human studies and human cells will enroll in 30 hours of core coursework. This is a non-thesis option. Electives are not required for this option. This option is available mostly online or in a classroom setting. This option is designed to be completed in one year.

FALL YEAR 1

• PTX 6002 - Introduction to Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7021 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 1 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8010 - Clinical Research: Roles and Responsibilities Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8140 - Human Studies Research Credit Hour(s): 3

SPRING YEAR 1

• PTX 6003 - Introduction to Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX 7002 - Journal Club/Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7022 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 2 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 9200 - Pharmacology Clinical Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

Dual-Degree Programs

IV. CLINICAL INVESTIGATION CONCENTRATION (MD/MS): 26 CREDIT HOURS

The Dual-degree option requires concurrent enrollment in the Boonshoft School of Medicine MD program, and the MS will e awarded only after the MD has been awarded. Coursework is taken over two semesters, between year one and year two, and year two and year three, of medical school. The MS curriculum for the Clinical Investigation concentration is 26 semester hours of PTX coursework with students receiving 4 credit hours from acceptable BSOM coursework taken over two or three summers between years one to four of medical school.

YEAR 1

• PTX 7000 - BioStats for the Health Professional Credit Hour(s): 2 to 3
• PTX 7004 - MD/MS Journal Club Credit Hour(s): 2
• PTX 7021 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 1 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 9200 - Pharmacology Clinical Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

YEAR 2 - 4

• PTX 7004 - MD/MS Journal Club Credit Hour(s): 2
• PTX 7005 - Clinical Investigation Capstone Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 7020 - Laboratory Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 7022 - Effective Scientific Writing: Part 2 Credit Hour(s): 3
• PTX 8008 - Pharm Short Course Credit Hour(s): 1
• PTX 9200 - Pharmacology Clinical Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

MEDICAL SCHOOL COURSES THAT WILL SUBSTITUTE FOR PTX ELECTIVES INCLUDE:

• SMD 8170 - Origins 1, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 1
• SMD 8175 - Origins 2, Cellular Physiology & Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 1
• SMD 8185 - Immunology, Bacteriology, & Virology Credit Hour(s): 1
• SMD 8590 - Staying Alive Module, Cardiac, Respiratory and Renal Systems Credit Hour(s): 1