Pharmaceutical Sciences/Medicinal Chemistry, M.S.
About the Program
The School of Pharmacy offers a graduate program leading to the M.S. and to the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry. The program is designed to prepare students for positions in the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and faculty positions in schools of pharmacy.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years
Campus Location: Health Sciences Center, Main
Some courses may be offered at the Fort Washington campus. Research must be carried out at the Health Sciences Center campus under the supervision of an advisor who is a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Full-time status is recommended due to the nature of ongoing research.
Interdisciplinary Study: The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and collaborations among faculty and students with interests in biochemistry, molecular modeling, organic chemistry, and pharmacology.
Areas of Specialization: The focus is Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, including design and synthesis of ligands for nicotinic receptors and ligands for retinoic acid receptors, novel anticonvulsants, and the development of analytical methodologies.
Job Prospects: The program primarily concentrates on providing research scientists for the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and faculty positions in schools of pharmacy.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are able to take up to 9 credits before formal application must be made to the program.
Financing Opportunities: Master's-level students are generally not considered for financial support. Financial support in the form of University fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships is generally available to Ph.D. candidates only. Only under rare circumstances are M.S. students considered for support.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: December 15
All applications are evaluated together after the deadline.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence and professionals in a supervisory position.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: It is recommended that applicants complete the courses (or their equivalent as determined by the School of Pharmacy) taken in obtaining a B.S. in Chemistry, preferably Organic Chemistry, before entering the program.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry (preferably Organic Chemistry), or Pharmacy is required.
Preferably, official transcripts are forwarded electronically. Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended may be sent electronically to tuspgrad@temple.edu. Alternately, unopened official transcripts bearing the school’s seal must be sent directly from the Registrar at each institution to the School of Pharmacy’s Office of Graduate Studies.
Applicants who earned a degree at a non-U.S. institution must submit an equivalency evaluation of their transcript(s) through a third-party provider, either World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, state your specific interest in Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Waived for Fall 2021 admission. If submitted, scores are expected to be in the 65th percentile or above.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 85
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 58
Resume: Current resume or CV required.
Transfer Credit: With approval, courses specific to Medicinal Chemistry or Organic Chemistry may be transferred into the program. Applicants must present supporting documentation (syllabus, course description, and/or transcript) for transfer consideration at the time of application. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer into the M.S. program is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36
Required Courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
PS 8002 | Pharmaceutical Analysis | 3 |
PS 8051 | Seminar in Pharm Science | 1 |
PS 8121 | Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series | 1 |
PS 8127 | Pharmacokinetics | 3 |
PS 8128 | Principles in Drug Discovery | 3 |
PS 8129 | Bioethics in Research | 2 |
PS 8403 | Advanced Pharmacogenomics | 2 |
PS P151 | Medicinal Chemistry I | 4 |
QARA 5451 | Statistical Quality Control | 3 |
Concentration-Specific Courses | ||
PS 8009 | Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I | 3 |
PS 8011 | Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II | 3 |
Electives 1 | 2 | |
Research Course | ||
PS 9996 | Master's Research | 6 |
Total Credit Hours | 36 |
1 | Electives should be taken primarily in Chemistry, although courses in Pharmacology and Computer and Information Science are also permissible. |
Culminating Events:
Thesis:
The M.S. thesis is an original, theoretical, and/or empirical study that contributes to the field of Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry. It should expand existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. The thesis should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the pharmaceutical sciences; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of medicinal chemistry; and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.
Students who are preparing to defend their thesis should confirm a time and date with their advisor and register with the Administrative Assistant at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Administrative Assistant arranges the time, date, and room within two working days and forwards to the student the appropriate forms. Once approved, the public announcement of the defense is posted.
The Thesis Examining Committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. This committee is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be members of the Graduate Faculty of the School of Pharmacy. The Thesis Examining Committee votes to pass or fail the thesis and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
Courses
PS 5451. Statistical Quality Control. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5471. Biotechnology:Bioprocess Basic. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5477. Good Manufacturing Practices. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5478. High Purity Water System. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5492. Production of Sterile Products. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5493. Sterilization Processes. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5499. Pharmaceutical Drug Dosage Forms. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5501. Development of Sterile Products. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 5575. Regulatory Sciences. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8000. Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 8001. Principles of Drug Action/Pharmacokinetics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8002. Pharmaceutical Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8003. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing I: Preformulation/Formulation. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8004. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8005. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8006. Physical Pharmacy I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8007. Applied Biopharmaceutics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8008. Advanced Principles of Pharmacokinetics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8009. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8011. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8012. Radioisotope Methodology. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8051. Seminar in Pharm Science. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 8111. Introduction to Toxicology. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8121. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8122. Writing and Publishing a Review Article. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8123. Bioinformatic Genes Drug. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8125. Journ Club/Pharmacodynam. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8126. Laboratory Experience in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 8127. Pharmacokinetics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8128. Principles in Drug Discovery. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8129. Bioethics in Research. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8131. Principles of Biochemistry. 4 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8132. Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8133. Introduction to Translational Molecular Technology. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8134. Neuroscience of Pain. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8402. Pharmacodynamics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8403. Advanced Pharmacogenomics. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
PS 8131|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
PS 8404. Pharmaceutical Sciences Literature Review. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8464. Abuses of Drugs and Chemicals. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8478. Modified Release Dosage Forms. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8502. Advanced Pharmacokinetic Modeling I. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8582. Physical Pharmacy II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8583. Chemical Surfaces & Interfaces. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8584. Advanced Drug and Gene Delivery Systems. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8592. Food and Drug Law. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8603. Dermatopharmaceutics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 8985. Teaching in Higher Educ. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
PS 9994. Preliminary Examination Preparation. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 9996. Master's Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 9998. Pre-Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
PS 9999. Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Dissertation Writing Student.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://pharmacy.temple.edu/academics/graduate-program
Department Information:
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences Office of Graduate Studies
School of Pharmacy
3307 N. Broad Street, Suite 528
Philadelphia, PA 19140
215-707-4972