MS in Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Graduates will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to pursue a variety of career paths or continue their education and earn a medical degree or PhD in biomedical sciences.

KNOWLEDGE 

You will learn:

• Pharmacological principles and theories including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Biochemical and molecular basis of cell function
• Biochemical and molecular basis of how normal cell function goes away in disease
• Identification of drug targets and biomarkers
• Steps involved in drug discovery and development
• Principles of Pharmacovigilance and Safety Pharmacology

SKILLS 

• Develop a foundation of basic bench laboratory skills in addition to specialized analytical skills required for their particular research area
• Develop hypotheses and experimental approaches to discover the basis of disease and candidate drug targets
• Evaluate drug actions in various systems, including efficacy and adverse effects
• Conduct and design research experiments independently
• Analyze data appropriately
• Disseminate and present research findings effectively

PROFESSIONAL VALUES

• A thorough understanding of ethical conduct in research
• The ability to work in a team to better identify and achieve research objectives

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits during this two-year MS program.  In the first semester, students will join the other incoming graduate students to take the Core Curriculum in Biomedical Sciences. This approach is designed to broaden the student's understanding of Biomedical Sciences with introductory courses in Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Methods in Biomedical Sciences, and Systems Biology (Physiology). These courses are rounded out with training in ethics and statistics. In the second half of the first year and during the second year, students receive specialized training in Pharmacology.

All students must enroll in the Pharmacology Journal Club and participate in the Pharmacology seminar each semester. Upon completing their coursework, students demonstrate their knowledge of biomedical sciences and pharmacology by completing a comprehensive exam and presenting an original, independent research project. Learn more about research and activities:

PHARMACOLOGY SEMINAR SERIES 

The Pharmacology seminar series is held bi-monthly for faculty, students, and post-doctoral researchers. Nationally-and internationally-known scientists from a range of disciplines present developments in their research. The seminars surface new ideas and increase our knowledge and awareness of research beyond Loyola. Typically, students meet with speakers after the presentation.

JOURNAL CLUB

Weekly Journal club provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn from each other, while developing their communication and presentation skills. Students present a recently published article from cutting edge scientific journals. During the spring semester, students present research progress reports and participate in Journal Club style discussion of papers from upcoming seminar speakers.

RESEARCH

Students are required to complete two research rotations within the first year. Once rotations are complete, students can select their thesis advisor. Major areas of research include:

• Signal Transduction Mechanisms
• Neuropharmacology
• Cancer Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular Pharmacology
• Experimental Therapeutics, including drug repurposing, gene therapy, RNA and microRNA drugs
• Cell Surface Receptors
• Drug delivery, including nanoparticle mmbrane encapsulation and extracellular vesicles/exosomes

The Graduate Program Director facilitates all aspects of a student’s progress, including course and rotation selection, until the student selects their advisor. Once selected, the advisor helps the student develop a written research proposal and form a Thesis Committee. Advisors serve as the student’s primary mentor throughout the program, providing direction on the research project, guidance on how to advance through the various program requirements, and complete the program. Students complete the degree program once they gain approval of their thesis from Thesis Committee and after defending their thesis. Students complete coursework in the first three semesters and their thesis in the subsequent one to two years.

SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE 

Year 1

Fall:

• BMSC 410 - Molecular Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BMSC 412 - Cell Biology (4 credits)
• BMSC 416 - Methods in Biological Sciences (1 credit)
• BMSC 405 - Ethics in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)
• PHAR 405 - Pharmacology Journal Club (1 credit)
• PHAR 499 - Research (1 credit)

In addition to these courses, students complete two, six-week research rotations

Spring:

• BMSC 402 - Statistical Methods in Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
• PHAR 409 - Principles of Pharmacology (3 credits)
• BMSC 414 - Systems Biology (3 credits)
• PHAR 499 - Research (2 credits)
• PHAR 405 - Pharmacology Journal Club (1 credit)

Year 2

Fall:

• Pharmacology Elective (3 credits)
• PHAR 405 - Pharmacology Journal Club (1 credit)
• PHAR 499 - Research (2 credit)

Spring

• PHAR 405 - Pharmacology Journal Club (1 credit)
• PHAR 595 - Thesis Supervision (0 credits)

Course Catalog

• Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics MS

Ready to apply? This is a good place to start.

DEADLINES 

Early application is encouraged; we begin evaluating applications in January. The deadline for application materials is June 15.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION (There is no application fee.)

• Apply online or mail application to:
  
  Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
  Loyola University Chicago
  820 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  

2. TEST SCORES

• GRE is not required. However, if GRE or MCAT scores are submitted, they will be used in determining acceptance.
  
  

3. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Applicants should have a bachelor's degree (at minimum) with an emphasis on the basic sciences. Accepted students typically have a GPA ≥ 3.0. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work are required.
  
  

4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.
  
  

5. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• Your statement of purpose should be a brief, one page statement that explains your scientific interests, motivations for graduate study in pharmacology, and future goals.
  
  

6. INTERVIEW

• A virtual interview is required for admission. International applicants can interview by telephone or video conference.

Students who show clear evidence of research potential will be given the highest priority for admission.

Please note: the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts and official test scores. Please send those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree and are required to submit the above documents and:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores
• Accepted students typically have a TOEFL iBT score > 90 (or written score > 600).
• A Declaration and Certification of Finances Form
• Evaluations of international transcripts sent by any member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) 

Please visit our International Student Requirements page for more details!

Please note: the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts, official test scores, and transcript evaluations. Please send those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu.

Questions? Contact Student Program Recruiter Patrick Hulseman.

Request more information about our graduate programs.

The Biomedical Graduate Programs and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.

• Cost
• Financial Aid
• Payment

See a list of our faculty here! 

Gonzalo Torres, PhD
Professor & Chair
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: gtorres3@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 420

Joanna Bakowska, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: jbakowska@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 422

Neil Clipstone, PhD
Associate Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: nclipstone@luc.edu
Office: SSOM
Rm: 317

Rocco Gogliotti, PhD
Assistant Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: rgogliotti@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 423

Celeste Greer, PhD
Assistant Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: cgreer@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 417

W. Keith Jones, PhD
Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: wjones7@luc.edu
Graduate Program Director, Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Kelly Langert, PhD
Assistant Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: klangert@luc.edu
Office: Bldg 115
Rm: 416

Karie Scrogin, PhD
Professor and Graduate Program Director
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: kscrogi@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 426

Monsheel Sodhi, PhD
Assistant Professor
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: msodhi@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 424

Emeritus Faculty

Kenneth Byron, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Cell and Molecular Physiology
Email: kbyron@luc.edu

Michael Collins, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: mcollin@luc.edu

Gwendolyn Kartje, MD, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: wkartje@luc.edu

William H. Simmons, PhD
Senior Professor & Professional Emeritus
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: wsimmon@luc.edu

Joint Faculty

Mitchell Denning, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Professor, Cancer Biology
Email: mdennin@luc.edu
Phone: 708-327-3358
Office: CTRE
Rm: 138

Jawed Fareed, PhD
Professor
Pathology
Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Email: jfareed@luc.edu
Office: CTRE
Rm: 432

Eileen M. Foecking, PhD
Associate Professor
Otolaryngology
Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Email: efoecking@luc.edu
Office: Maguire Center
Rm: 1870

Debra Hoppensteadt, PhD
Professor
Pathology
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: dhoppen@luc.edu
Office: Bldg 115
Rm: 433

Simon Kaja, PhD
Assistant Professor
Ophthalmology
Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Email: skaja@luc.edu
Office: Bldg 115
Rm: 425

Whelton A. Miller, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Email: wmiller6@luc.edu
Office: Bldg 115
Rm: 119

Affiliate Faculty

Peter Bacher, MD, PhD
Therapeutic Area Lead for Mature Products, AbbVie
Email: peter.bacher@abbvie.com

Thao T. Doan, MD
Senior Medical Director, Medical Safety Evaluation, Pharmacovigilance and Patient Safety, AbbVie
Email: Thao.T.Doan@abbvie.com

Fabio Lievano, MD
Vice President, Safety Science, Medical Safety Evaluation, Pharmacovigilance and Patient Safety, AbbVie
Email: Fabio.Lievano@abbvie.com

Graduates will have a broad base of knowledge in the Biomedical Sciences and a more focused understanding of Pharmacology, drug discovery and drug safety. This program prepares students for advanced training in the Biomedical Sciences and/or careers in academia, pharmaceutical or regulatory sectors, science writing, or consulting. A large fraction of our graduates move on to careers in Industry, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, Bioengineering. We have strong ties to Industry, with Pharma scientists teaching in many of the courses. This means students benefit from their experience and guidance and that networking related to jobs is common. We work hard to assist students in obtaining their dream job!