Best Molecular Pharmacology Masters Programs in Illinois

Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Molecular Pharmacology Therapeutics. Master students will graduate with broad training in the biomedical sciences and focused training in Pharmacology. Our training will lead to a solid foundation for successful scientific careers in many areas, including government and the pharmaceutical industry.

In the first semester, students will join the other incoming graduate students from all other medical school based graduate programs to take the Core Curriculum in Biomedical Sciences for the first semester. This is designed to broaden the student understanding of Biomedical Sciences with introductory courses in Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Methods in Biomedical Sciences, and Systems Biology (Physiology). This course work is complemented with training in ethics and statistics. In the second half of the first year and during the entirety of the second year students receive specialized training in Pharmacology. At the end of the formal coursework, students will demonstrate their comprehension through completion of a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination will consist of a uniform written examination covering a broad range of pharmacological topics.

M.S. students are required to complete two research rotations within the first year of the program, after which they will elect their thesis advisor. Major areas of research emphasis within the Program are: Cell Surface Receptors Signal Transduction Mechanisms Neuropharmacology Cancer Pharmacology Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Student research is performed in close collaboration with their advisor. The Graduate Program Director facilitates all aspects of the student’s progress through the program, including course and rotation selection. Once students have selected a thesis advisor, their mentor helps them prepare for the comprehensive examinations, plan a written research proposal, and establish a thesis committee. Throughout the duration of the student’s tenure, their mentor provides advice and direction on the research project, monitors their progress through the various program requirements, and provides counseling needed for successful completion of the program. The research will culminate in the preparation of a thesis and a final oral examination conducted by the student M.S. Thesis Committee. Course work is completed within the first year and the research thesis is typically completed within 1-2 additional years.

Applicants should have a Bachelor degree with an emphasis on the sciences. (Foreign applicants should have the equivalent of a 4-year U.S. Bachelor degree as verified by the Educational Credential Evaluators.) Some business coursework is desirable, but not required. Applicants should have strong letters of recommendation, grades, and GRE scores. The admissions committee focuses on the overall strength of the application, and not just on one criterion.

Students assume responsibility for tuition and fees. Current tuition and fees are determined by the Loyola University Graduate School. Tuition for the 2015-2016 year is $1,003 per credit. Additional fees may . These can be found here.

An important element of our program is participation in seminars and journal clubs. Nationally and internationally known scientists from a range of disciplines present the latest developments in their research. The seminar series serves to bring new ideas and challenges to the attention of members of the department and to increase our knowledge and awareness of research activities outside our department and university. Students will have the opportunity to meet informally with the speakers by joining them for lunch, describing their research, and exchanging points of view.

Journal club is held every week during the fall semester and is attended by graduate students. Students present a recently published article from cutting edge scientific journals. Journal club provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn from each other, while developing their communication and presentation skills.

The department also holds a bi-annual Pharmacology retreat. The goals of the retreat are to welcome and integrate new students into the department, and further promote collaboration and interaction between research groups and to develop new avenues of translational research. The format of the retreat program changes to keep the event fresh and exciting. Our next retreat will focus on trainees and will feature several talks by post-doctoral fellows and senior students. The retreats are held at venues that allow attendees to spend down time relaxing and enjoying the amenities. A recent retreat held at the Chicago Zoo in Brookfield included an opportunity for attendees to visit the exhibits and ended with a social in the Bear Cave .

Though we are serious our research, we also like to engage in fun activities. Our yearly summer picnic is an excellent example. The Department members and friends gather in a nearby park to grill out, and engage in several fun games and activities. student competitions. Of course when anyone graduates, all members of the department join in the celebration.

We encourage international students with a sincere interest in Pharmacology to for the MS in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Please note that our program starts at the end of August. As such, international students must begin the process of obtaining their visa early in the year. We encourage international students to finish their application as soon as possible to ensure that all necessary paper work is completed in time to allow them to travel and be in attendance at the start of the semester.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has developed a well-rounded research and teaching program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology. The Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Program supports research facilities devoted to a wide-range of molecular, physiological, genetic, anatomical, and behavioral techniques.