Pharmacology (Non-Thesis)

Earn your Master of Science in Pharmacology via the non-thesis track at the Duquesne University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Application Checklist

Before starting your online application, please gather the following:

  • Official Transcripts (Credential Evaluations Required for International Students)
  • Résumé
  • Essay
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • GMAT/GRE Scores (Optional)
  • TOEFL/IELTS Scores (International Students Only)

International Students

If your undergraduate and/or graduate degrees are from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report. The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts. Please review our Transcript Credential Evaluation Instructions.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program. Many programs allow students to apply for the fall or spring semester. Some programs also allow for a summer start term.

Tuition Information

Tuition for the Master of Science in Pharmacology is $1,973 per credit. More information on tuition rates can be found here.

Program Information

Earn your Master of Science in Pharmacology degree via the non-thesis track at the Duquesne University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Master's

School

School of Pharmacy

Duration

2 Years

Required Credit Hours

30

Course Descriptions

A course designed to introduce the molecular and biochemical basis of pharmacologic selectivity and drug actions. These principles will be discussed in areas such as receptor theory, receptor regulation and signal transduction, and receptor classification. Offered fall term, odd years. Lecture. Offered fall only, odd years.
A  lecture laboratory course, which encompasses the use of physiological and analytical methods, used in determining the site, mechanism of action, and toxicity of drugs and chemicals. The sequence of laboratory experiments involves interdisciplinary approach incorporating the various areas of pharmacology and toxicology. This includes basic techniques used to monitor drug action and toxicity, evaluating drug action on selected disease states. In vitro biochemical methods used to determine pharmacologic and toxicologic actions, teratogenicity and reproductive toxicity. The analytical techniques include spectro- photometry, gas-liquid chromatography, GC-mass spectrometry, high-pressure liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, immunoassays, gel electrophoresis, and tissue cell techniques. Offered fall term, even years. Lecture. Offered fall only, even years.
Part 2 of a lecture-laboratory course that employs pharmacological, physiological and analytical methods used in determining the binding site, mechanism of action, and toxicity of drugs and chemicals. The sequence of laboratory experiments involves an interdisciplinary approach incorporating the various areas of pharmacology and toxicology. This includes basic techniques used to monitor drug action and toxicity, and evaluating drug action on selected disease states. In vitro biochemical methods are used to determine pharmacological and toxicological actions. Offered spring term, odd years. Lecture. Offered spring only, odd years.
The course covers mechanisms by which pharmacological agents interact with the living organism to provide the student with a rational basis for investigations in biomedical research. Topics include the pharmacodynamics of the drug classes indicated. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles of pharmacology with respect to the molecular mechanisms and biochemical responses to the drugs within the human system. Lecture, Online. Offered spring only, odd years.
This course is designed to introduce students to the foundational ethical principles and practices related to pharmaceutical research. Lecture. Offered fall only.
The intent of the course is to survey the pharmacological mechanisms of various drug classes that affect the peripheral and central nervous systems. A second goal is to examine effects of toxicants from the perspective of mechanism(s) of action at the cellular and molecular level. The initial lectures will present foundational principles of toxicity and survey how particular toxicological mechanisms affect various organ systems. The remainder of the course will focus on the mechanism(s) of action of drugs in peripheral and central nervous system physiology and pathophysiology with a focus on signal transduction cascades. Offered spring term, even years. Lecture. Offered fall only, even years.
Oral presentation by graduate students, faculty, and invited speakers on topics of current research. Participation is required of all graduate students during each semester of matriculation. Offered spring only. Lecture. Offered spring only.
The course will provide training in the effective presentation of scientific research in a formal setting with an added emphasis on developing scientific writing skills. Offered fall only. Seminar. Offered fall only.
Choose from a variety of electives offered through the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.