Pharmaceutical Sciences Courses
Course Code and Number, Course Title, Credit(s) PHAR 600 Principles of Drug Discovery (3) PHAR 601 Principles of Drug Development (3)
Describes the interrelationship among disciplines of the pharmaceutical sciences, and establishes the basic theoretical background essential to the drug design and development process. Emphasizes ability development; content progresses, beginning with traditional drug design and optimization of drug structure, continuing with principles of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and drug metabolism. Also covers integrative competency in the final module. This is a two-semester course divided into seven integrated modules. These modules relate the various disciplines within the pharmaceutical sciences to the drug design and development process. PHAR 602 Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics (3)
Focuses on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion coupled with dosage and the parameters of clearance, volume of distribution, and bioavailability. These processes determine the concentration of drug at the site of action in the body. Covers the quantitative relationship between dose and effect as a framework to interpret measurement of drug concentrations in biological fluids, and pharmacokinetic principles using mathematical processes and descriptive parameters that describe the time course of drugs in the systemic circulation and the relationship of drug concentrations to observed effect. PHAR 608 Research Rotations (1)
Students become familiar with research conducted by departmental faculty members. Rotations through the laboratory of a faculty member help students in their selection of a faculty mentor and doctoral dissertation project. The rotation provides an opportunity for participation in the experimental aspects of active research projects. Typically, students participate in two laboratory research rotations. PHAR 610 Pharmaceutical Formulation and Unit Processes (4)
Addresses the rational design and formulation of dosage forms, and the processes and equipment in their large-scale manufacture. Consideration is on to how the interplay of formulation and process variables affects both the manufacturability of the dosage form and its performance as a drug delivery system. PHAR 620 Modern Methods of Drug Delivery (2-4)
Focuses on the rationale for existing and future drug delivery systems. Students explore underlying physical, chemical, and biological bases for each system and identify benefits and drawbacks. Examples of delivery systems include inhalation aerosols, transdermal patches, microspheres, implants, and tablets. Emphasis is on the biopharmaceutics, and transport properties and barriers associated with each method of delivery. The course also stresses written and oral presentation skills through student presentations and paper critique sessions. PHAR 628 Bioanalytical and Pharmacological Methods (1-3)
Covers theory and applications of separation techniques used for low molecular weight compounds, such as most drugs, larger biopolymers, such as proteins and DNA, and cell sorting analyses. Also covers the separation of chiral compounds, and assay requirements and techniques for the sensitive and accurate measurement of drugs and metabolites in biological matrices, with emphasis on pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutical applications. In addition, the analysis of cell signaling proteins and their activities is covered. PHAR 638 Pharmacometrics and Experimental Design (3)
Covers the theoretical and practical application of statistics and experimental design to help students use tools in research problems. The class discusses and uses computer programs to analyze data representing actual experimental situations. PHAR 639 Molecular Spectroscopy and Imaging (6 modules, 1-3)
Introduces students to spectrometric techniques for the elucidation of molecular structure and to the analysis of pharmaceutically important materials. The methodologies covered include ultraviolet-visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass and fluorescence spectrometry. The class includes discussions of physical principles, instrumentation involved, exercises in the interpretation of spectrometric data, and examples of applications. PHAR 653 Advanced Pharmacology I (4) PHAR 654 Advanced Pharmacology II (4)
These courses cover mechanisms by which pharmacological agents interact with the living organism to provide the student with a rational basis for investigations in biomedical research. Topics include the pharmacodynamics and the biochemical and physiological effect of drugs on biological systems, including the central and peripheral nervous system, and the endocrine, renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Lectures supplement weekly conferences and discussion groups. PHAR 702 Theoretical Aspects of Solid Dosage Forms (3)
A survey of the performance and processing of solid dosage forms. As most pharmaceuticals are prepared from powders, emphasis is on identifying, measuring, and controlling those properties that decide the processing characteristics of powdered materials.
Prerequisite: PHAR 535, physical chemistry (calculus based), or consent of instructor PHAR 707 Drug Transport and Metabolism (4)
This course will provide basic knowledge about drug absorption at different sites in the human body (e.g. intestine, blood-brain barrier, kidney, liver) and the physicochemical and pharmaceutical factors, as well as pathophysiologic conditions, that influence drug penetration. This course will allow the students to understand the choice of a particular absorption route and dosage form. Furthermore, the interplay of drug metabolism and drug transport will be discussed. PHAR 708 Comprehensive Exam Seminar (1)
As part of the students’ advancement to candidacy exam, students make an oral presentation based on a research grant proposal prepared by the student, which is based on their proposed dissertation project. PHAR 709 Departmental Seminar (1)
Students orally present and critically review the progress and findings that are related to their research project. PHAR 747 Advanced Pharmacokinetics (3)
A detailed study of the principles of drug transport, distribution, biotransformation, binding and excretion, with emphasis on quantitative aspects and measurement of these processes. PHAR 751 Drug Design (3)
Applications of chemical and biological principles to the rational design of drugs. Topics include targets of biologically active molecules, approaches to studying ligand and target interactions, overview of drug discovery, agents acting on specific targets, combinatorial chemistry, computation chemistry, and structure-activity relationships. *A permission slip from the program director or instructor is necessary to enroll in this course. top | 
