Education & Training | Graduate
Master of Arts Program in Pharmacology
Program Objectives
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers a Master's degree which is designed to provide an understanding of basic Pharmacology, along with an individualized program of original research. The curriculum provides a general education in the principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Cell Biology; instruction in research methodology; and instruction in the Basic Sciences relevant to the understanding of Pharmacological and Physiological/Biochemical principles.
A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study is required. Students take a core curriculum consisting of a minimum of 10-12 credit hours in Pharmacology, plus courses in Cell Biology and Biochemistry. Students will also complete a Master's thesis by carrying out original laboratory research, authoring an original thesis, and successfully completing a final oral examination.
Continuous registration for a minimum of one semester hour in each of the Fall and Spring terms is required until all requirements for the degree are completed. This course of study is required of all matriculating students unless they have completed equivalent graduate-level courses elsewhere.
Structure of the Program
Admission requirements and student selection procedures:
Entry into the program is contingent upon award of the baccalaureate degree. The candidate should also demonstrate above-average academic skills, particularly in biology and chemistry, and other recommended undergraduate courses.
Recommended undergraduate courses include: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and/or physiology. Knowledge of physics and mathematics, possibly including calculus and statistics, is also favorably considered, although not mandatory.
Applications must be completed and official documentation received through the IGPBS/ Masters Admissions.
The Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department examines all completed applications, conducts interviews with promising candidates when feasible, and makes offers of admission.
Masters students are responsible for their tuition and other financial commitments.
Curriculum and Requirements for the M.A.
Masters Program Requirements:
Requirements are based upon University
at Buffalo Graduate School policies and procedures and departmental
graduate guidelines.
University/Institutional Graduate School Requirements:
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study must be completed in no more than 4 years
- A minimum residence of one year (24 credit hours)
- Continuous registration for a minimum of one semester hour each Fall and Spring term until all requirements for the degree are completed.
Class Schedule
| SEMESTER 1 | Course # | Title | Credits |
| BCH 501 | Biochemical Principles | 4 cr | |
| BMS 501 | Cell Biology I | 4 cr | |
| PMY 751 | Thesis Research | 1-4 cr | |
| ( TOTAL CREDIT HOURS : | 9-12 cr ) |
| Selection of Thesis Advisor |
| SEMESTER 2 | Course # | Title | Credits |
| BMS 505/506 | Cell Biology II | 4 cr | |
| PMY 517 | Autonomic/Cardiovascular Pharmacology | 2 cr | |
| PMY 518 | CNS/Sensory Pharmacology | 2 cr | |
| PMY 752 | Thesis research | 1-4 cr | |
| ( TOTAL CREDIT HOURS : | 9-12 cr ) |
| SEMESTER 3 | Course # | Title | Credits |
| PMY501 | Mechanisms of Drug Action | 2 cr | |
| PMY502 | Toxicology and Chemotherapy | 2 cr | |
| STA 527 | Statistics | 4 cr | |
| PMY 751 | Thesis Research | 1-4 cr | |
| **Select one of the following or elective approved by the Director of Graduate Studies: |
|||
| *PMY550 | Receptor Pharmacology | 2 cr | |
| *PMY626/627 | Toxicology | 4 cr | |
| ( TOTAL CREDIT HOURS : | 7-12 cr ) | ||
| SEMESTER 4 | Course # | Title | Credits |
| GSC 640 | Graduate Research Ethics | 2 cr | |
| PMY 752 | Thesis Research | 1-4 cr | |
| ( TOTAL CREDIT HOURS : | 7-10 cr ) |
Grading and Promotion Standards
The Department requires a minimum grade of "B" in all course work. Failure to meet these requirements in a single course results in a probationary period; multiple failures to meet the "B" requirement may lead to dismissal from the program. The Graduate School also requires an overall average of 3.0 for degree conferral.
Thesis Research, Thesis Preparation, Thesis Review
Mandatory thesis research is conducted by the student under the supervision of his/her Major Professor and a Thesis Advisory Committee. A Major Professor and a minimum of one member of the Department's graduate faculty shall constitute the Thesis Advisory Committee for the Master's degree. The research will culminate in a written thesis dissertation, which is an original contribution to the scientific literature and is supervised by the Major Professor and the Thesis Advisory Committee. The oral defense of the thesis is scheduled after the candidate's Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the thesis as a written document. The thesis is presented to faculty and students in a seminar followed by an oral defense. Completion of the requirements for the Master's degree typically requires 4 semesters.
See Departmental Guidelines for Graduate Studies (PDF) for in-depth program details.
Program and application information.