Program Overview

The Master of Science program in Pharmacology and Toxicology prepares students with the knowledge and abilities required for competitive technical positions in pharmacological research and testing, for participating in clinical trials, and for performing toxicological reviews and assessments in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as well as in academic and governmental research laboratories.

Additionally, graduates are well positioned to continue their studies in Ph.D. programs in pharmacology and other biomedical sciences, while other graduates may find the program ideal for improving their credentials toward gaining admission to medical school or other health professional programs.

Career opportunities and employment may include academic departments involved in research, development, and teaching. Rewarding careers are also possible in pharmaceutical companies, government laboratories and agencies including the Centers for Disease Control, The Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense and NASA. Opportunities also exist in areas involving the development of public policy, investment advising, patent law, and scientific writing and editing.

There is excellent potential for rapid advancement in this field due to the importance of the discipline to the drug industry, regulatory agencies, and to the general public.

Graduates of the program have either joined academic departments by securing doctoral fellowships in prestigious laboratories, or obtained jobs in industry. Others have used their degree to facilitate entry into medical and pharmacy schools.

Employment opportunities may include:

• Designing and performing laboratory experiments
• Managing research projects
• Reviewing scientific documents and making recommendations
• Writing scientific communications and papers for publication and non-publication purposes
• Oral communication of scientific findings

In addition to strong scientific background and analytical skills, the successful candidate will also need to possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and high ethical standards.