Accelerated MS in Pharmacology

Highly motivated Georgetown BS in Human Science students can complete the requirements for the MS in Pharmacology in one semester after completing the bachelor’s program.

The Master of Science in Pharmacology program offers a foundation of rigorous coursework as well as the option to do research or tailor the curriculum with a selection of elective courses from across our biomedical departments.

Our typical cohort of 15-20 students benefits from a small class size in our main pharmacology courses and receives personalized attention from our faculty, whether in the classroom or in the laboratory. Core courses are taught by a team of departmental faculty and researchers, many of whom also teach in the medical school. In fact, Program Director Dr. John Partridge also directs the Medical Pharmacology curriculum for first- and second-year medical students at Georgetown.

Our alumni continue on to further education (PhD, medical, and other health sciences) or take positions in the public and private sphere, such as at the NIH, FDA, pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, and university laboratories. Of students pursuing further education, 65% are accepted either during the program or within 1 year of graduation; 85% are accepted within 3 years.

Application

HSCI students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major are eligible to apply to this program by January 15 of their junior year. Students who wish to apply should inquire with Sumaira Akber, Assistant Dean, School of Health.

MS in Pharmacology Admissions

For more information about our program and admissions, please contact us.

Timeline

Undergraduates start taking master’s courses in their senior year, earning the master’s degree in the fall after completing the Bachelor of Science.

Human Science Accelerated Master's Program Timeline. HSCI Junior Fall/Spring: Apply to M.S. program. HSCI Senior Fall: 2 HSCI core courses, 2 M.S. courses. HSCI Senior Spring: 2 HSCI core courses, 2 M.S. courses. M.S. Program Fall: Complete M.S. requirements.

Degree Plan

Senior – Fall

Course NameCredit(s)
HSCI 4972: Human Science Seminar/Capstone I3
HSCI 4510: Physiological Adaptations4
PHAR 6000: Principles of Pharmacology4
PHSL 6501: Fundamentals of Human Physiology5
16 Credits

Senior – Spring

Course NameCredit(s)
HSCI 4973: Human Science Seminar/Capstone II3
HSCI 3090: Immunology3
PHAR 6001: Graduate Pharmacology10
16 Credits

Master’s – Fall

Course NameCredit(s)
PHSL 6534: Cell & Molecular Physiology4
PHAR 7950: Pharmacology Research (Research Track only)5
Graduate elective(s)5
14 Credits

Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. and/or a laboratory-based career are encouraged to take the Research Track. The Pharmacology Research course will immerse you in a “wet lab” experience alongside research professors, postdocs and Ph.D. students.

Pre-health/pre-medical students should take PHSL 6602: Biomedical Career Pathways.

Learn More About the Laboratory Research Track

Master’s Courses

Senior – Fall

Course Directors: Dr. Gerard Ahern & Dr. Ghazaul Dezfuli
Tues & Thurs, 10:00am–12:00pm

This course focuses on the most basic principles of pharmacology and covers, in detail, molecular and cellular drug targets, drug-receptor interactions, agonism, antagonism, drug metabolism, pharmacogenomics, and pharmacokinetics. Quantitative problem solving regarding these topics will be required. An introduction to several important neurotransmitter/receptors and their signaling mechanisms is included.  This course is meant to prepare the student for Graduate Pharmacology (PHAR 504) in the spring and is its pre-requisite.

Course Director: Dr. Lewis J. Watson
Mon, Wed, & Fri, 10:00am–12:00pm

This course is designed to provide students with a basic overview of the function of human body This course provides an overview of the functioning of human body systems, taught by a team of expert Medical Center faculty. Presentations will include cellular and molecular concepts but the emphasis will be on the integrated regulation among systems.

Senior – Spring

Course Directors: Dr. John Partridge & Dr. Ghazaul Dezfuli
Mon–Fri, 9:45–11:50am

This course covers the major pharmacology of the peripheral and central nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, immune system, and basic cancer pharmacology. Throughout the course, both normal function (covered previously in Physiology) and pathophysiology will be emphasized where appropriate. The course focuses on mechanisms of drug action above and beyond simple memorization of pharmacological agents. Throughout the semester, methods and models in pharmacology are emphasized to aid understanding of the drug development process.

Master’s – Fall

Course Director: Dr. Thomas Sherman
Mon & Wed, 1:00–2:50pm

This course covers the principles of biochemistry. The first section examines protein structure/function and enzymology; the middle section focuses on cell signaling, and the final section integrates it all in the context of metabolism. Current concepts regarding physiological processes at the cellular and molecular levels are investigated. This course meets twice a week for two hours and has three exams. The primary textbook is Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry.

Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. and/or a laboratory-based career are encouraged to take the Research Track. The Pharmacology Research courses will immerse you in a “wet lab” experience alongside research professors, postdocs and Ph.D. students.

Learn more about Research in Pharmacology.

Many electives are available to our students. Browse recommended electives on our MS courses page.

Learn More

Research Opportunities

Learn about research experiences in the MS in Pharmacology.

Lab Research

Alumni Outcomes

Follow the success of our graduates in industry and academia.

Alumni Outcomes

Career Readiness

Our students benefit from the services of the Biomedical Graduate Education career office, including one-on-one advising, skills workshops, leadership programs and more.

Master’s Student Career Services