Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics MSPharmacology
Medical School
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
6-120 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 626-1248
Email:
phclgrad@umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Pharmacology is the study of drugs, the mechanisms through which they affect living systems, and the ways in which drugs are acted upon by living systems. A drug is defined as any foreign entity that exerts an effect on a biological system, whereas a therapeutic is a drug that is intentionally administered in order to elicit a favorable outcome. Investigators in the program in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT) focus on developing greater insight into the molecular mechanisms that determine biological responses to therapeutic agents, and how underlying biological variation impacts these responses. In addition, MPaT program faculty strive to develop a greater understanding of basic mechanisms of molecular biology, and in particular how these processes are altered in disease states. The ultimate objective of these latter studies is to gain insight that can lead to the development of future novel therapeutic agents. The MPaT graduate program is designed to prepare students academically and professionally in the field of pharmacological research to make them competent as scientists and competitive as job candidates. Students who have earned their MS from this program occupy a diverse array of high-level positions in the fields of scientific research, drug development and discovery, and medical outreach. The MPaT graduate program consists of 74 faculty trainers, each of whom is equipped to offer students training in highly diverse research areas. MS students can expect individualized mentorship and training from their advisors. For their part, students are expected to perform at a high level in the lab and classroom, produce publishable scientific data, and to adhere to the standards established by their advisor, the MPaT graduate program, the Department of Pharmacology, and the University.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
A four-year degree in a basic sciences discipline is required for admission
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Admission to the MPaT program requires a four-year degree (or its equivalent) in a basic sciences discipline, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a diversity statement, and a statement of career objectives. Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not completed post-secondary education at an approved English-speaking institution are required to demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
25
major credits,
up to
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is written and oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
25
major credits and
5
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:A research project the format of which is determined by the student's advisor and committee.
Plan C: Plan C requires
17
major credits and
13
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Courses offered on both the A-F and S/N grading basis must be taken A-F, with a minimum grade of C earned for each.
Required Courses (17 to 25 credits)
All students take 4 credits of PHCL 5109. Plan A and Plan B students take PHCL 8100 twice for a total of 8 credits. Plan C students are exempt from the PHCL 8100 requirement.
PHCL 5108 - Introduction to Laboratory Research
(4.0 cr)
PHCL 5109 - Introduction to Scientific Communication
(1.0-18.0 cr)
PHCL 5110 - Introduction to Pharmacology
(3.0 cr)
PHCL 8211 - Advanced Pharmacology
(5.0 cr)
PHCL 8220 - The Ethical Scientist
(1.0 cr)
Electives
Plan B and Plan C students select electives in consultation with the advisor to meet the required 30-credit minimum.
BIOC 8007 - Molecular Biology of the Genome
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8322 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CMB 5340 - Structural Biology in Biomedical Research
(2.0 cr)
GERO 8021 - Application of Proteomics to Aging
(1.0 cr)
GERO 8022 - Fostering a Career in Aging Research
(1.0 cr)
MEDC 8753 - MOLECULAR TARGETS OF DRUG DISCOVERY
(3.0 cr)
MICA 8003 - Immunity and Immunopathology
(4.0 cr)
MICA 8004 - Cellular and Cancer Biology
(4.0 cr)
MICA 8013 - Translational Cancer Research
(2.0 cr)
MLSP 5011W - Professional Issues in the Health Care Community
[WI]
(2.0 cr)
MLSP 5311 - Fundamental Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
(4.0 cr)
MLSP 5511 - Principles of Immunobiology
(3.0 cr)
NSC 5461 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
(3.0 cr)
NSC 8026 - Neuro-Immune Interactions
(3.0 cr)
OBIO 5010 - Molecular Virology
(1.0 cr)
OBIO 5020 - Virus Pathogenesis and Host Interactions
(1.0 cr)
PHAR 6738 - Pharmacokinetics
(3.7 cr)
PHCL 5111 - Pharmacogenomics
(3.0 cr)
PHCL 8208 - Neuropsychopharmacology
(3.0 cr)
PHCL 8209 - Substance Abuse at the Bedside
(1.0 cr)
PHSL 5510 - Advanced Cardiac Physiology and Anatomy
(2.0-3.0 cr)
PUBH 6420 - Introduction to SAS Programming
(1.0 cr)
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I
(4.0 cr)
Plan Options
Plan A
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Gero 8022/RSC 8022 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CLSP 4305/MLSP 5311 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MVB 8361/NSc 8026/Psy 8026 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.7 [max 3.7] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |