2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Pharmaceutical Sciences (M.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, Online


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Hemachand Tummala, Department Head, Graduate Program Coordinator and Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Avera Health and Science Center 255, Box 2202C
605-688-4236

Program Information

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers courses and research opportunities in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences leading to the M.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The didactic courses, along with the research concentration in a specific area of pharmaceutical sciences, provide a strong foundation for the academic, pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and other research-related careers. The program places a strong emphasis on comprehensive and high-quality graduate education and research experiences for the students. The M.S. degree is offered as thesis and non-thesis options.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework is provided primarily through lectures, discussions, and laboratory work.

Student Learning Outcomes


Graduates of the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of key fundamental concepts in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
  • Apply pharmaceutical and biomedical science knowledge and research techniques to drug discovery and development.
  • Retrieve and critically evaluate the scientific literature.
  • Utilize effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Master of Science Thesis 30 Credit Hours
  Non-Thesis 30 Credit Hours

Select one of the following options


Thesis


Non-Thesis


Electives for Non-Thesis Option

Select from the following list of courses. Electives can be taken from graduate-level PHA-prefix courses and related (CHEM, BIOL, etc.).

Total Required Credits: 30 (Thesis & Non-Thesis)


Additional Admission Requirements


The following prerequisites are the courses required for admission to the Pharmaceutical Sciences (M.S.) program:

  • Two semesters of general chemistry
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry
  • One semester of biochemistry

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (scale of 4.0) in the undergraduate program.

Letters of Recommendation - Two personal reference letters from people acquainted with the academic ability and professional competence of the applicant are required.

International students, where English is not the primary language, must submit the scores of any one of the following English proficiency tests. Minimum scores required for admission include,

GRE: Not Required
TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

The Institutional Code for SDSU is 6653.

A Statement of Personal Goals and Philosophy (SOP) - The statement should be brief and no more than one page.

The admission is based on cumulative GPA, relevant science coursework, letters of recommendation, SOP, primary research/work experience, and the interview.

General Requirements


Graduate students should consult with their advisors before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .