COURSES DESCRIPTIONS IN THE CATALOG 2021-2024
Courses for (1) Master of Science with specialty in Pharmacology (MS) and (2) Doctor of Philosophy with specialty in Pharmacology (PhD)
PHAR 8500 – Pharmacology. Five (5) credits. This course includes lectures on the nature and application of the more important drugs and general principles of Pharmacology. Laboratory exercises, designed to illustrate some of the lectures, are performed.
PHAR 8503 – Muscles: Biophysics, Physiology, and Pharmacology. Three (3) credits. This course is an introduction to Biophysics, Physiology, and Pharmacology of Muscle. It summarizes basic concepts on structure and energetics of muscle contraction. A general outlook on Physiology will also be included.
PHAR 8504 – Molecular Pharmacology and Biophysics of Excitable Tissue. Three (3) credits. This course will consist of information lectures, discussions, seminars, and laboratories experiments related to the molecular mechanisms by which drugs change the electrical properties of excitable tissues. Considering the direct participation of the students on laboratory work, a limited numbers of applications will be accepted.
PHAR 8505 – Topics in Pharmacology. One (1) credit. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topics to be covered must be approved by the Department’s Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8506 – Topics of Pharmacology. Two (2) credits. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topics to be covered must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8507 – Topics of Pharmacology. Three (3) credits. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topics to be covered must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8508 – Topics of Pharmacology. Four (4) credits. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topic to be covered must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8509 – Topics of Pharmacology. Five (5) credits. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topics to be covered must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8510 – Topics of Pharmacology. Six (6) credits. This course will provide for the discussion of special topics, covered by one or more members of the staff or visiting scientists. The topic to be covered must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Faculty. This course can be taken more than once.
PHAR 8512 – Neuropharmacology. Three (3) credits. The first half of this course will deal with the Biochemistry and Neuropharmacology of the Mammalian Central Nervous System. The second half will emphasize the special situations prevailing in developing and deferented neurons.
PHAR 8513 – Pharmacology Seminar. One (1) credit. This course is designed so that, with the assistance of the faculty, graduate students will present and discuss papers from the scientific literature. It must be taken each semester by departmental studies. Grading System: Passed (P), Not Passed (NP)
PHAR 8514 – Heart Physiology and Pharmacology. Two (2) credits. Lectures and demonstrations.
PHAR 8518 – Renal Pharmacology. Two (2) credits. Renal transport processes as they apply to the handling of pharmacological agents will be described. An overview of method currently employed in the field of Renal Pharmacology will be provided. Particular attention will be given to the use of clearance and renal micropunture studies to determine the site of action along the nephron of various agents.
PHAR 8519 – Cellular Neurobiology: Integrative Approach. Three (3) credits. This course provides a cellular approach to Neurobiology. It begins with a general description of the unique properties of neural cells and the advances toward an understanding several nervous system functions. In this course, integration of the Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology is emphasized.
PHAR 8525 – Pharmacological Methods. Three (3) credits. The purpose of this course is to expose the students to the theoretical and practical aspects of methods being used in pharmacological research.
PHAR 8526 – General Principles in Pharmacology. Three (3) credits. The course is intended to acquaint students with the understanding of the basic concepts of pharmacology and toxicology. Through lectures and group discussions main topics such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME), pharmacodynamics (receptor theory and signaling), membrane transporters, and pharmacogenomics will be discussed.
PHAR 8527 – Modes of Action of Antibiotics. Two (2) credits. Pre-requisites: BCHM 8500. The purpose of this course is to prepare the students to analyze and critically understand the more recent findings in the field of pharmacology of antibiotics. The mechanisms by which antibiotics work, at molecular level, is studied. Interactions of antibiotics with the various biochemical targets for drug action and the molecular basis of bacterial resistance to drugs are also analyzed.
PHAR 8535 – Laboratory Rotation in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Two (2) credits. This course is designed to introduce the student to current research concepts and techniques used in the pharmacology and toxicology areas. Throughout rotations the student will visit three different laboratories to have the opportunity to explore possible research areas in order to define a thesis project of her/his interest, as well as to interact with the possible mentor and her/his research group. The course includes discussion of the research project and exposure to laboratory techniques.
PHAR 8595 – Master’s Thesis. Six (6) credits. This course is the required research for the Master of Science in Pharmacology Degree. It is taken with the approval of the thesis advisor.
PHAR 8598 – Proposal Preparation in Pharmacology. Three (3) credits. Pre-requisites: Approved required credits for the master or doctoral degree (except thesis) of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, also approved comprehensive exam of the Department. Minimum grade of B in core courses. This course offers essential information for the preparation of thesis proposals integrating basic concepts of Pharmacology, theories and research strategies. Topics to be discussed include the development of specific aims, evaluation of literature to develop a rationale for the proposal, analysis of preliminary results, and design of research methodology to evaluate the problems to be investigated. The central focus of the course will be to train students in writing of thesis proposals and federal predoctoral fellowships. In addition, potential pitfalls of the proposed research will be discussed. The material will be presented by the student as discussions of specific topics recently published in scientific journals and as review of literature related to the specific student proposal. Grading System: Passed (P), Not Passed (NP)
PHAR 8599 – Doctoral Dissertation. Fifteen (15) credits. This course is the required research for the Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology Degree. It is taken only with the approval of the thesis advisor.
TOXI 8501 – Basic Toxicology. Three (3) credits. Discussion of the origin action, mechanism of death, signs and symptoms, MLD, metabolism, prognosis of the common poisons from human tissues. Interpretation of these analytical results on a clinical and/or forensic basic.
TOXI 8515 – Special Topics. Two (2) credits. Designation under which from year to year could be registered different courses offered by visiting professors. They will be announced with a detailed description of the course, credits assigned, and professor in charge