The USC School of Pharmacy offers graduate education programs in Molecular Pharmacology And Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Economics And Policy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. A new Masters level degree in Regulatory Science is scheduled to commence in May 2001.


Graduate Program Description

The graduate program provides instruction and research training in diverse aspects of drugs including their design, delivery, disposition, and mechanism of action. These subjects are examined at the molecular, cellular, and clinical levels through an interdisciplinary curriculum that is carefully individualized to the needs of the student. The program emphasizes basic as well as applied research in drug delivery and targeting, utilizing biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunology, and molecular and cell biology. In addition, courses in the development, regulation and quality assurance of medical products will be offered beginning in 2001. A strong clinical interface is maintained with the LAC/USC Medical Center, Norris Cancer Hospital, Doheny Eye Hospital, Children's Hospital, the University Hospital, and other affiliated hospitals in the L.A. area. At present, there are more than 60 graduate students working toward Ph.D. degrees within the School of of Pharmacy. The demand from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and government for graduates in selected areas is high.


Requirements For Admission

Applicants for admission are reviewed by the Graduate Committee of the School of Pharmacy and are evaluated on the basis of academic excellence and commitment to scientific research. A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required as well as qualifying scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

For an information/application packet send your name and address to pharmgrd@hsc.usc.edu.


Graduate Degree Requirements

Further information on these graduate programs and admissions requirements can be obtained by contacting the USC School of Pharmacy Graduate Program Office at (323) 442-1474 or pharmgrd@hsc.usc.edu.


Research at the School of Pharmacy

Research is conducted by School of Pharmacy faculty in clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, molecular pharmacology and toxicology, medical-product development and pharmaceutical economics and policy. The knowledge obtained by faculty from their research efforts is passed on to M.Sc., Ph.D., Pharm.D students throughout their curriculum.