Pharmacology Program Coursework

If you’re interested in pursuing a pharmacology degree, read below to get a feel for Kent State’s Pharmacology Program coursework. We require students to complete a set of core courses, but you also have the opportunity to select your own set of electives, take a seminar and participate in professional development.

If you have any questions about the Pharmacology Program coursework outlined below or would like additional information about the requirements, please contact the Department of Biomedical Sciences today!

Curriculum

Core Courses

  • Molecular Pharmacology (4)
  • Introduction to Biomedical Sciences (1)
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (1)
  • Topics in Pharmacology (1)
  • Pharmacology Journal Review (1)
  • Cellular and Molecular Signaling (3)
  • Quantitative Methods in Statistics (choose one):
    • Analysis of Bioanthropological Data II (3)
    • Analysis of Bioanthropological Data I (5)
    • Statistical Inference in Psychology (3)
    • Biological Statistics (4)

Additional Electives as needed and recommended by a student's guidance Committee.    

Concentration or General Electives

These electives should serve primarily as a guide to students. The Guidance Committee will be charged with approving the plan of study including the selection of electives. As part of this plan of study, students will also be expected to participate in Seminars and Special Topics courses and in courses that may be developed in the future where these are appropriate to the student’s research interests.

  • BMS 6/70429 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (4 cr)
  • BSCI 5/70432 Endocrinology (3 cr)
  • BSCI 6/70431 Neuroendocrinology (2 cr)
  • BMS 6/70591  Seminar in Pharmacology (1 cr)

The purpose of these seminars is to help the student develop effective oral communication skills in a group setting, as well as demonstrate his/her integrative capacity, mastery of the background literature, and scientific inquiry. Seminars (2/yr) will be presented in years 1 and 2. Informative seminars on pertinent areas of modern pharmacology are expected. The seminars should include:

  • Introduction to the field
  • Methods used
  • Pros and cons of the contrasting hypotheses
  • Future directions

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities beneficial to their professional development. The teaching of laboratories and lecture courses, as appropriate, is considered valuable, and each student should have this experience during his or her graduate career, including those on non-teaching scholarships or research appointments for most or all of their tenure. Students should also seek membership in professional organizations, attend meetings to present research results, and maintain currency in the relevant literature.