College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mastering the Art of Pharmaceutical Research and Development

From novel medications to innovative skincare therapeutics, new applications for existing drugs to breakthroughs in immunology, the field of pharmaceutical sciences is vast and growing. With a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree from WNE, you will be ready to make the most of emerging opportunities in research or industry through a customizable program that you align with your personal career goals.

Why Choose the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences?

Central to the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program is the flexibility for interest-based specialization through electives and selection of a thesis advisor in such disciplines as medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, cosmeceuticals, pharmacogenomics, toxicology, neuroscience, oncology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacoeconomics, data analytics, and biomedical engineering. Faculty from the Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences Department of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, as well as faculty from the Colleges of Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Business may serve as thesis advisors to varied MSPS research projects.

What to Expect

“I started out with aspirations of being a hospital pharmacist. But I discovered that pharmaceutical research was much more aligned with my goals and interests,” says Dominick Buccitti, Graduate Student. “WNE gave me the flexibility and support to easily change my major from Pharmacy to Health Sciences with a minor in Chemistry, so that I could build the academic foundation to confidently enter a master’s program.”

What Will You Study?

The thesis-based 38-credit MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program can be completed in five full-time semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall, spring). The curriculum builds on science-related undergraduate study, making it ideal for students holding bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry, health sciences, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, or health sciences. Through coursework taught in the state-of-the-art classrooms and labs of the Center for the Science and Pharmacy, you will be well-prepared for career paths as a research scientist or in product development and/or quality assurance. As a WNE graduate, you will also possess the skillsets prized by employers: divergent thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset—essential to careers in discovery and innovation.

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Curriculum & Outcomes Academic Calendar Current Course Offerings Dual Degree

Top Five Reasons to Choose the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Broad-based Research Opportunities

We have 7 focus areas, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, biomedical sciences, pharmacogenomics, neuroscience and administrative sciences, allowing you to tailor your education to your interests while providing the background knowledge you will need to be successful.

Individualized Attention

WNE is committed to keeping the cohort for the MSPS small, giving you the opportunity to develop strong relationships with your peers and professors, as well as receive any necessary support along the way.

Stand Out to the Pharmaceutical Industry

This program provides outstanding preparation for work in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in related fields such as cosmeceuticals.

woman in meeting standing at a white board

Mentorship and Cross-disciplinary Research

You’ll have the opportunity for mentorship, collaboration, or advisement not only by Pharmacy faculty, but also professors from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences or Engineering.

Excellent Preparation for Medical School or PA Programs

This program can provide another valuable credential as a stepping stone for entry into highly-competitive programs.

The Masters of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program offers students a wide array of research focus areas in which to develop their Master’s thesis and research. Faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, as well as other University faculty are engaged in the provision of instruction and thesis advice, depending on the focus area. The curriculum's elective sequences are designed to provide a solid foundation in the principles of the subject matter, as well as research experience in the applicable setting. The six focus areas are:

Pharmacology/Neuropharmacology – Pharmacology is the science of drug action, research areas focus on identification of new therapeutic targets, therapeutic and toxicological mechanisms of drug action, and novel approaches to therapeutics. Neuropharmacology allows a student to explore the effects of natural and synthetic drugs on the nervous system, to better understand neuropathology and develop potential pharmacotherapies.
Biomedical Sciences – These sciences encompass several disciplines with a primary focus on the biology of human health and disease. Research areas include molecular and cellular disease mechanisms, physiological and pathological processes of disease development.
Pharmaceutics - These sciences provide curricular content in the areas of formulation science, biomaterials, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical compounding, nanotechnology, and pharmacokinetics.
Medicinal Chemistry – This research area deals with rational-based drug design, the synthesis of new drug molecules, the structure-activity relationship of drug classes, the uses of combinatorial chemistry, the methods of drug biotransformation, and the development of assays to test drug candidates.
Pharmacoeconomics and Healthcare Data Analytics – This research area explores the science of exploring costs and outcomes of pharmacy products and services as well as data in various healthcare industries to predict trends and treatment outcomes, modify health behaviors, support decision-making, optimize costs and improve various aspects of healthcare delivery.
Pharmacogenomics – This research area allows a student to explore the field of Pharmacogenomics in a research-intensive manner, compared to our more clinically oriented MS in Pharmacogenomics, studying personalized/precision medicine.

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