Graduate Handbook: MS Nonthesis Program

Index

• Overview
• Selection of Major Advisor
• Formal Coursework
• Monitoring Student’s Progress
• Expected Milestones

Overview

Students will be able to complete the Master’s Nonthesis degree in one calendar year. For all graduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh the minimum acceptable GPA is 3.0. No student may graduate with a GPA less than 3.0. Our MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences attracts students interested in drug discovery, delivery, and metabolism in addition to pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Graduating with the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences will prepare you for employment in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and labs. Pharmaceutically-trained professionals are involved in biotechnology, research, synthesizing and testing new compounds, in marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals and biomedical devices, and in pharmaceutical benefit management. Some areas where graduates with degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences are sought after are Cosmetic Science, Industrial Pharmacy, and University-based laboratory areas.

Selection of Major Advisor

It is highly recommended that at the start of their program, each student identifies a major
advisor who agrees to supervise his/her work and is responsible for overseeing the
development of the student’s program of study. Each student must complete the selection of  
major advisor form  and send it to the Graduate Program Coordinator (Lori
Altenbaugh) and the Director of the Graduate Programs (Bailey Tobias). If a student has not
identified an advisor upon entering the program, the Director of Graduate Programs will serve
as the interim advisor for a MAXIMUM of the first semester. At the conclusion of the first
semester, a major advisor MUST be selected and the selection of a major advisor form must
be submitted.

Formal Coursework

Fall Semester

Note: PHARM 3011 is considered an elective by some specialization areas.

Spring Semester

Note: PHARM 2001 and 3071 are considered elective by some specialization areas.

Optional Summer Semester

Journal Clubs

Additional journal clubs are also available depending on the area of specialization.

Specialization Electives 

Additional elective courses are also available depending on the area of specialization.

Electives may be taken in any semester when they are offered. Students may take graduate level courses in other schools under the advisement of the Director of Graduate Studies.  

Monitoring Student’s Progress

Each student will follow a program of study developed in conjunction with the major advisor. The program of study must contain all of the program core courses as well as required and elective courses. Each student’s progress will be reviewed annually by their advisor and by the Graduate Program Academic Affairs Committee. When a student fails to make satisfactory progress in the program, the Director of the Graduate Program will be informed and the Committee will request the student’s advisor to develop, and submit for Committee approval, a plan of remedial action. When approved, the student will be bound by the conditions set forth in the plan. Failure to meet these conditions will result in dismissal of the student from the Graduate Program.  Please see Milestones.

Expected Milestones