Joint Degree Program

Doctor of Pharmacy / Master of Science

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy offers a joint program that allows students the opportunity to pursue the Master of Science (M.S.) degree while studying for the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Students may elect to study in any one of the four specialization areas described in the graduate program: medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics, pharmacology and toxicology. This program is designed for highly-qualified and motivated students who are interested in simultaneously pursuing the Pharm.D. and M.S. degrees. Students are expected to complete the Pharm.D. program as described in the catalog. In addition, students must complete all additional credits required for the M.S. degree, complete a research project, and write and defend a thesis. It is expected that the motivated student will be enrolled during the summer sessions after the fourth, fifth and six years with the objective of completing both degrees at the same time or in one additional semester.

For more information
Contact the COP Graduate Program Office at 401-874-2789.

Admission requirements
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program are eligible to apply for admission to the joint program during the second semester of their fourth academic year (P2 year) by May 1. The following are required at that time:

Online Application
GRE (GRE is not required if you complete your Pharm.D degree before you start the MS)
Statement of Purpose
Resume
Letters of Recommendation (2)
Application Fee

Specializations

Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy: Molecular mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis; mutation and repair; combinatorial chemistry; solid-phase peptide synthesis; screening, isolation and structure elucidation of physiologically-active natural products; biosynthesis of microbial and plant natural products; herbal medicine, bioinformatics.

Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: Design, development, production, evaluation and regulatory approval of pharmaceutical and self-care products as well as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies using virtual, clinical, and preclinical data, often with an emphasis on population approaches.

Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics: Health and economic outcomes research pertaining to pharmacotherapy as used in human populations. Specializations include medication adherence, decision and cost-effectiveness analyses, post-marketing surveillance, epidemiologic methods, and quality improvement and measurement.

Pharmacology and Toxicology: Mechanisms involved in disease states and their pharmacological intervention, and mechanisms of toxicity of environmental agents. On-going topics include the effects of hormonal imbalances on cardiac function and metabolism in hypertension, biomarkers and treatment of arthritis, developmental neurotoxicity of environmental agents, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of heavy metals, pharmacogenomics, drug interactions, hepatic responses to neuractive chemicals, hormonal regulations of gene expression in breast cancer; drug metabolism and drug transporter, and the development of inhibitors to cell signaling events.

Program Requirements
Successful completion of 30 credits of graduate study, including PHC 502, 2 seminar credits, 6-9 thesis research credits, thesis.

For specialization in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy: ACS placement exam (organic) to determine specific program requirements; either BPS 530 or BPS 535; 9 credits selected from CHM 427, CHM 521, CHM 522, BCH 581, BPS 525 and BPS 551, and BPS691A, in consultation with student’s major professor.

For specialization in pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics: STA 409 or 411 or equivalent; 6-9 credits of 500- or 600-level BPS courses; 3–6 credits of elective in consultation with student’s major professor.

For specialization in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics: PHP 540, 550, 580 or 640, in consultation with student’s major professor.

For specialization in pharmacology and toxicology: BCH 581; one course of either BPS 530, 535 or 587; and three courses from BPS 525, 544, 546, 572, 587, 641, 644, and BCH 582, in consultation with student’s major professor.