The College of Pharmacy has various ways for students to participate in research (below). Most students engaged in research enter one of the Research Emphasis Area (REA) tracks.
- Working on a specific project with a faculty mentor
- Enrolling in a Directed Research/Study course to provide dedicated time to learn research skills
- Applying and receiving a Melendy or CTSI summer research award
- Entering one of the Research Emphasis tracks to focus elective credits in a given content area (details below)
Research Emphasis Tracks
Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology
The Application Process
The clinical pharmacology research emphasis may not be able to accommodate all interested students due to resource limitations. Students interested in pursuing this emphasis area are required to apply through an application process. A complete application for the Research Emphasis - Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology Area should be completed by the priority deadline of April 30. Applications may be accepted after this date if space is available.
Director
Melanie Nicol, PharmD, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
[email protected]
Mentorship / Coursework
Interested students should meet with ECP faculty to discuss research opportunities in experimental, translational, or clinical pharmacology. Students choose additional courses and a research advisor that aligns with their interests and goals. An Evidence Based Research Paper is written based upon the mentored research that was conducted as part of the research emphasis track. The paper components are at the discretion of the advisor. More details are available on the Canvas ECP Research Emphasis Track Page. Papers are due by the end of February of the graduating year.
A total of 10 core credits and 6 elective credits are required to complete the emphasis for a total of 16 credits. Students need to select at least 6 credits of elective courses, which must be taken A-F. Below is a list of the currently approved list of electives, however, this list is subject to change as new courses are offered or modified. The list of electives from which students may select, with guidance from their mentor, will be approved annually by the faculty. Note, not all classes are taught every semester.
ECP Track Elective Courses | Credits | Semester Offered
- ECP 5220 - Regulatory Issues in Drug Research | 2 credits | Fall
- ECP 5620 - Drug metabolism and Disposition | 3 credits | Spring odd years
- ECP 8900 - Advanced Topics in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology | 1 credit | Fall & Spring
- ECP 8982 - Inter-institutional Journal Club in Translational Research | 1 credit | Fall
- ECP 8983 - Scientific Communications in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology | 1 credit | Spring
- ECP 8992 - Directed Readings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology | 1-2 credits* | Fall & Spring
- ECP 8993 - Directed Study in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology | 1-2 credits* | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 5230 - Principles in Clinical Pharmacology Research | 2 credits | Fall
- PHAR 6160 - Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6224 - Pharmacogenomics | 1 credit | Spring
*A maximum of 2 credits can be counted towards the research emphasis requirements.
Medicinal Chemistry
The Application Process
Acceptance to the Medicinal Chemistry Research Emphasis Area is permissible at any time, however, it is recommended that students enter the program before the end of the P1 year. There is no formal application process. Interested students should meet with medicinal chemistry faculty to discuss research opportunities and potential coursework requirements. When a faculty mentor and student reach a mutual agreement to commit to the research emphasis program, a written agreement will be drafted that includes a description of the research project to be completed, a coursework plan, and a statement of the applicant's objectives for completing the research emphasis designation in medicinal chemistry. The application materials will be forwarded to the Program Coordinator for the Medicinal Chemistry Research Emphasis for review. The faculty mentor is responsible for advising the student and ensuring that the research emphasis area requirements are met. Following completion of the plan and all requirements, the faculty member will notify the Program Coordinator that the research emphasis designation should be awarded upon graduation and included on the student’s official transcript.
Program Coordinator
Elizabeth Ambrose, PhD
Associate Professor and Associate Department Head for Instruction
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
[email protected]
Coursework
A total of 10 core credits and 6 elective credits are required to complete the emphasis for a total of 16 credits. Students need to select at least 6 credits of elective courses, which must be taken A-F. Below is a list of the currently approved list of electives, however, this list is subject to change as new courses are offered or modified. The list of electives from which students may select, with guidance from their mentor, will be approved annually by the faculty. Note, not all classes are taught every semester.
MEDC Track Elective Courses | Credits | Semester Offered
- MEDC 8001: General Principles of Medicinal Chemistry I | 3 credits | Fall (Pre-req for all MEDC 8xxx courses)
- MEDC 8002: General Principles of Medicinal Chemistry II | 3 credits | Spring
- MEDC 8070: The Chemistry and Biology of Infectious Disease | 3 credits | Fall even years
- MEDC 8401: Chemistry of Counterterrorism | 2 credits | Spring odd years
- MEDC 8413: Chemistry of Nucleic Acids | 3 credits | Fall odd years
- MEDC 8435: Bioassay & Data Analysis | 1 credit | Spring
- MEDC 8461: Design of Cancer Therapeutics | 3 credits | Fall even years
- MEDC 8753: Molecular Targets of Drug Discovery | 3 credits | Spring even years
- PHAR 6908: Drugs of Abuse | 2 credits | Spring
- PHAR 6150: Medicinal Chemistry Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6160: Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6260: Pharmaceutics Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6293: Directed Research I | 1-3 | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6393: Directed Research II | 1-3 | Fall & Spring
- PHAR 6493: Directed Research III | 1-3 | Fall & Spring
- SAPH 8100: Social & Administrative Pharmacy Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
*At least one credit of Phar 6150: Med Chem Seminar is required (counted via the core or elective course options). A maximum of 2 seminar credits can be counted toward the research emphasis requirements.
Social & Administrative Pharmacy
The Application Process
There is no formal application process, and students may choose to pursue the Social and Administrative Pharmacy Research Emphasis track at any time. It's recommended that students begin in fall of their second year. Interested students should contact the director to express interest and discuss research and coursework opportunities. Those pursuing a research emphasis will be assigned to a mentor who will help students choose additional courses and a research advisor who will align with their interests and goals. Students who successfully complete the research emphasis will receive special recognition during graduation and a designation on their official academic transcript.
Director:
Jon C. Schommer, MS, PhD, RPh
Professor and SAPh Graduate Faculty Member
[email protected]
612-626-9915
Coursework
A total of 10 core credits and 6 elective credits are required to complete the emphasis for a total of 16 credits. Students need to select at least 6 credits of elective courses, which must be taken A-F. Below is a list of the currently approved list of electives, however, this list is subject to change as new courses are offered or modified. The list of electives from which students may select, with guidance from their mentor, will be approved annually by the faculty. Note, not all classes are taught every semester.
SAPH Track Elective Courses | Credits | Semester Offered
- PHAR 6232 – Health System Pharmacy Practice | 2 credits | Spring (only open to P2s)
- SAPH 5100 – Pro-Seminar | 1 credit | Fall
- SAPH 8054 – Advanced Studies in Pharmaceutical Care | 3 credits | Fall & Spring
- SAPH 8100 – Social & Administrative Pharmacy Seminar | 1 credit* | Fall & Spring
- SAPH 8200 – Research Problems | 1-3 credits | Fall & Spring
- SAPH 8235 – Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy | 3 credits | Fall
- SAPH 8255 – Pharmaceutical Marketing | 3 credits | Spring odd years
- SAPH 8420 – Social & Behavioral Aspects of Pharmacy Practice | 3 credits | Spring
- SAPH 8500 – Pharmacy & Its Environment | 3 credits | Fall
- SAPH 8610 – Pharmacoepidemiology | 3 credits | Spring even years
- SAPH 8810 – Social Psychology in Pharmacy | 3 credits | Spring even years
- SAPH 8840 - Social Measurement in Pharmacy | 3 credits | Fall even years
*A maximum of 2 credits can be counted toward the research emphasis requirements.