The Pharmacology and Toxicology Program at USP
Pharmacology and Toxicology at USP
Why USP?
Your Life as a Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate
Your Future in the Field of Pharmacology or Toxicology
Learn from the Best
The Curriculum
Professional Connections in Pharmacy
For more information...
Did you know water can be toxic? Do you wonder how chemicals interact
in the human body? Would you like to develop drugs that can be used
to avert, treat, or cure diseases? Are you interested in preventing
the harmful effects of chemicals and developing safer, more effective
substances? Are you interested in research? If so, a career
in scientific exploration and pharmacology and toxicology may be
for you. USP offers a pharm/tox program rich in laboratory experiences.
Why USP?
Acquiring new knowledge about drugs and chemicals is at the heart
of what pharmacologists and toxicologists do. Their work revolves
around the discovery, development, testing, and management of chemicals
and drugs in health and in disease conditions. At USP, you'll study
the characteristics or properties of drugs or chemicals, especially
how and why they are medically effective (pharmacology) and where
and under what conditions they become poisonous (toxicology). Pharmacology
and Toxicology has often been described as the “bridge”
for those interested in biology and chemistry.
As one of the first programs of its kind, the pharmacology and
toxicology major at USP offers you the opportunity to:
- Work in USP's well-equipped laboratories, studying how drugs
work and why some are toxic.
- Conduct supervised independent research
with highly qualified faculty during your third and fourth years
of study.
- Develop the analytical, technical and interpersonal skills to
work at one of many pharmaceutical and chemical companies, research
institutes, or government agencies located in the greater Philadelphia
area.
- Continue your education at USP (in our Master of Science and
Doctorate degree programs) or elsewhere.
Your Life as a Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate
Pharmacologists, emphasizing the mechanisms by which drugs act,
draw on the disciplines of physiology, pathology, biochemistry,
biology, and microbiology to examine the actions of chemicals on
living organisms. Toxicologists are engaged in the investigation
of poisons, or toxins, from the standpoint of detection, isolation,
identification, and determination of their effects on the human
body. Pharmacologists and toxicologists work together as part of
a multidisciplinary team, which may include synthetic chemists,
cell and molecular biologists, clinicians, and experts in other
related disciplines. Graduates of the pharmacology and toxicology
program at USP pursue careers in the pharmaceutical and chemical
industries, and at universities, research institutes, and governmental
agencies. Many graduates also choose to continue their education
in M.S. and Ph.D. programs (science-based, business, public health)
or in professional schools (medical, dental, law).
Your Future in the Field of Pharmacology or Toxicology
The scientific community has experienced an explosion of new knowledge.
The demands for pharmacologists and toxicologists have increased,
and career options have expanded tremendously. Your career might
involve studying the characteristics of chemicals used as drug therapies
in the battles against AIDS, heart disease, cancer, and other afflictions.
Or, you might examine the toxic effects of chemicals such as food
additives and environmental pollutants upon our society.
USP pharmacology and toxicology graduates work for companies such
as: Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth, Aventis Pharmaceuticals,
Schering-Plough, and AstraZeneca.
As a graduate of USP's pharmacology and toxicology program, you
can expect to earn an excellent starting salary, with rapid growth
potential and the flexibility to apply your intellect, experience,
and science savvy to improve the world and have fun doing it.
Learn from the Best
You will learn from highly educated faculty
who are trained scientists, researchers, and published authors,
including:
- Dr. Diane W. Morel
(director of the pharmacology and toxicology program) is an experienced
cell physiologist biochemist exploring the interaction between
oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease.
- Dr. Adeboye Adejare
(department chair) is a premier medicinal chemist/pharmacologist
with expertise in the design, synthesis and testing of bio active
molecules for treatment of neurodegeneration.
- Dr. Bin Chen is
an expert in photodynamic therapy and biomedical imaging used
to understand and treat cancer.
- Dr. Michael Kirifides is a sensory neurophysiologist
doing research to understand the inflammatory causes of orofacial
pain.
- Dr. Ruy Tchao is an
expert cell biologist and pathologist with expertise in cancer
and eye research.
- Dr. Peter J. Harvison
is an expert in chemical toxicology and the role of metabolism
in bioactivation.
- Dr. Shanaz M. Tejani-Butt
is an authority in the mysteries of depressive illness and addiction.
- Dr. Joan B. Tarloff
is an authority in kidney toxicology with experience in the industry.
The Curriculum
Pharmacologists and toxicologists must have an extensive understanding
of a number of basic sciences to be effective in their professions.
The curriculum at USP provides a solid foundation in the sciences
and a broad general education that draws upon the humanities and
the social sciences. During your third and fourth years, you'll
gain practical experience in some of the specialized techniques
used in current research, working alongside your professors on ongoing
projects. Pharmacology and Toxicology students may minor in biochemistry,
chemistry, mathematics, psychology, English or forensics.
Through the Pharmacology and Toxicology program, you will:
- Engage in research, analyze methodology, and evaluate data.
- Develop problem-solving skills and analytical thought processes.
- Expand your communication skills to ensure excellence when
you present your research findings to other students and faculty.
First Year
- College Composition
- General Biology I and II
- General Chemistry I and II
- General Chemistry Lab I and II
- Introduction to Literature
- Mathematical Analysis I and II
- Pharmacology/Toxicology Orientation I
- Physical Education I and II
- Social Science Fundamental Requirement
Second Year
- Core Distribution Requirement
- Functional Human Anatomy/Histology
- Intellectual Heritage I and II
- Introduction to Communication
- Introductory Physics I and II
- Pharmacology/Toxicology Orientation II
- Organic Chemistry I and II
- Organic Chemistry Lab I and II
- Social Science Fundamental Requirement
Third Year
- Biochemistry/Molecular Biology I and II
- Core Elective
- Fundamentals of Immunology or Microbiology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Seminar I
- Physiology I and II
- Techniques in Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Free Electives
Fourth Year
- Biochemical Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Biomethods in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Core Distribution Requirement
- Free Electives
- Pharmacology/Medicinal Chemistry I and II
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Seminar II
- Toxicology I and II
Total credits: 129-131
Professional Connections
You will broaden your knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology through
involvement in USP's Tox Club
as well as professional associations
such as Mid-Atlantic Society of Toxicology.
For more information………
To learn more about the Pharmacology and Toxicology program, contact
the Admission Office at 1-888-996-USIP (8747), e-mail admit@usip.edu,
or fill out our online information request form.
Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy
Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Admission
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