PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Our graduate program is interdisciplinary, with 50 faculty, offering programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology. The Master of Science degree also offers a special concentration in Perfusion Science or Industrial Hygiene. Faculty members have diverse research interests in carcinogenesis / cancer chemotherapy, cardiovascular pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, endocrine pharmacology, environmental and biochemical toxicology, immunopharmacology, molecular/ biochemical pharmacology, molecular toxicology, neuropharmacology, natural products chemistry, and pharmacokinetics. Well funded research opportunities and the strong interdisciplinary nature of the program provide our students with a highly interactive approach to research and education in pharmacology and toxicology.

PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacology is the science concerned with all aspects of the action of drugs and other chemicals on living systems. Its primary aim is the discovery of chemical mechanisms by which cellular and molecular functions are regulated for the purpose of understanding how existing drugs act and to develop new drugs for treatment of diseases. The broad scope of interests of pharmacology ranges from the study of intermolecular reactions of chemical constituents of cells with drugs to the effects of chemicals in our environment on entire populations. Professional pharmacologists tend toward careers in basic research and teaching in academia, research in pharmaceutical or biotech companies, research institutes, or government agencies.

TOXICOLOGY

Toxicology is the study of how chemical and physical agents adversely affect living organisms. Toxicologists study the mechanisms by which environmental agents contribute to cancer, respiratory disease, neurologic diseases and many other degenerative disorders. In the emerging post-genomic era, toxicology is increasingly focused on chemical genomics, which is the study of how chemicals affect the expression of genes and the functions of gene products. Graduate training in toxicology prepares scientists for diverse career opportunities in academia, industry and government. The job market for scientists with toxicology training is strong and continues to expand.
Toxicologists are key members of interdisciplinary drug discovery teams in the pharmaceutical industry; they direct safety assessment for new products in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry; they perform critical research for informed assessment of the risks of environmental and occupational pollutants; they perform basic research that identifies fundamental processes underlying many diseases.

PERFUSION SCIENCE

Perfusion Science incorporates the investigation of pharmacological, biomaterials, laboratory and clinical aspects of extracorporeal circulation.  This discipline will prepare students for professional practice in perfusion with a wide range of experiences including: cardiovascular research, systems design and development, cardio-pulmonary bypass, and life support systems.

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INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

Industrial hygiene is the applied science concerned with the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of chemical and physical agents that can affect health status in occupational and environmental settings.  An Industrial Hygiene concentration is offered with the Master of Science program.  The concentration prepares students for professional practice in a wide range of both private and public sector organizations.