Fall Semesters - 3 s.h.

An introductory course for undergraduate students that covers the basic principles of drug action and drug toxicity.  Agents discussed include antibiotics, oral contraceptives, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, narcotics, steroids and various over-the-counter products.  This general education course is designed for non-science majors.

Fall Semesters - 3 s.h.

This intermediate level course introduces basic pharmacological principles by following a drug's journey from its site of administration to its site of elimination.  There are two additional units discussing 1) common mechanisms by which drugs affect the body and 2) mechanisms underlying drug action on two primary body systems: nervous and cardiovascular.  This course provides a structured learning environment bolstered by highly interactive discussion sessions where students learn to apply course material via collaborative work on problem sets/activities.  This course is well-suited for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, research, and industry.

Spring Semesters - 3 s.h.

This course expands on basic pharmacological concepts and further explores how they are applied to understand and define a drug’s actions on the body.  Students will continue their exploration of the body by discussing various disorders, such as: cancer, diabetes, microbial infections, immune disorders, and neuropsychiatric disorders in conjunction with current and new methods of treatment. This course provides a structured learning environment bolstered by highly interactive discussion sessions where students learn to apply course material via collaborative work on problem sets/activities. This course is well-suited for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, research, and industry. 

Fall and Spring semesters - variable s.h.

This course allows undergraduate students interested in laboratory experience the opportunity to actively participate in research under the supervision of one of the Department’s faculty. Through this course, students will not only gain valuable research experience but also course credit.

Course Guidelines
Grading Rubric

Spring Semesters - 3 s.h.

This advanced graduate course introduces basic pharmacological principles underlying drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism and how these processes determine drug dosing, drug receptor interactions, and their quantitation. The course also provides students with the opportunity to selectively explore two of the following receptor/signaling systems commonly affected by drugs: growth factors, neurotransmitters, ion channels, and steroid & G protein-coupled receptors.

PCOL:5130 Basic Concepts in Pharmacology is a series of 3, 1-credit modules 

Module 1: Principles of Pharmacology (PCOL: 5135)

Module 2 and 3 are selected by the student from the following list:

• Neurotransmitters (PCOL: 5137)
• Growth Factors (PCOL: 6225)
• Ion Channels (PCOL: 6207)
• Steroids and G Protein-Coupled Receptors (PCOL: 6211)

Students will select modules 2 and 3 after registration is complete, in discussion with the course director.

Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering the basic pharmacological principles underlying drug absorption, drug distribution throughout the body, drug-receptor interactions, drug metabolism, and drug elimination and how these processes determine drug dosing.  Mathematical approaches to drug receptor interactions and multi-compartment distribution models are also discussed.

Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering the impact of genetic variation on the actions and metabolism of drugs. Genomic approaches to studying drug action and database search techniques to identify variants are also discussed.

Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering the mechanisms of neurotransmission.  The course focuses on mechanisms of synthesis, release, action, and degradation of important neurotransmitters, as well as the major CNS pathways and disease states each is involved in.

Fall Semesters - 1 s.h.

This module course is designed to provide a brief overview of the theory of experimental design and data analysis in the biological sciences for graduate-level students.

Fall and Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

This journal club provides a platform for discussion surrounding recent advances in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, developmental neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, and related areas.

Fall and Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

Seminar presentations by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and other scientists from outside of the department.

Fall and Spring Semesters - variable s.h.

Research for pharmacology graduate students conducted in the laboratories of department faculty.

Graduate Student Laboratory Performance Rubric

Fall and Spring Semesters

Independent Study in Pharmacology

Fall Semesters - 5 s.h.

An advanced course for graduate students that covers the basic principles of pharmacology, mechanisms of drug action, and how these provide the basis for therapeutic applications of drugs.  This course also includes a “mock comps” component where students practice writing and orally defending of a research proposal.

Fall Semesters - 5 s.h.

An advanced course for nurse anesthetist students that covers the basic principles of pharmacology, mechanisms of drug action, and how these provide the basis for therapeutic applications of drugs.

Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering semi-quantitative approaches to ion channel physiology and pharmacology.  Discussions include physical principles, classification, and structure / function relationships for major voltage-gated ion channels that facilitate the application of abstract concepts to physiological, pharmacological and general biological problems.

Spring Semester - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering the structure-function relationships of small molecular weight of steroid hormone receptors and G protein-coupled receptors.  Special emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms of signaling for both receptor families.

Spring Semester - 1 s.h.

An advanced module course for graduate students covering growth factors, cytokines and related molecules that regulate cell proliferation, development, differentiation, and survival. Special emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms of signaling and relevance of these signaling processes to various human diseases.

Fall and Spring Semesters - 1 s.h.

Discussions of methodologies, strategies and approaches commonly used to solve research problems in the pharmacological sciences.  Based upon discussions, students employ interpersonal problem solving skills to develop experimental plans of study for solving contemporary scientific problems in the pharmacological sciences.