Concentration in Pharmacological Sciences

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-Newark
Concentration in Pharmacological Sciences

All students are required to take:

GSND N500A Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences I. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
3 cr. Fall
This course is Part I of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. This course covers basic biochemistry and molecular biology. The nature of the major macromolecules will be discussed and their role in the regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism will be illustrated. The synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids will be reviewed and the experimental techniques used in molecular biology will be considered. A review of the regulation of gene expression and intermediary metabolism will serve as an introduction to a more extensive consideration of the material to be discussed in the cell biology course in the following semester. Throughout the course an effort will be made to indicate the relevance of biochemistry to clinical medicine.

GSND N500B Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences II. Cellular Biology. 3 cr. Spring
This course is Part II of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. In this course students are introduced to basic cellular structure and function. Topics include: an introduction to the techniques used for studying cell biology, biomembranes, cell compartments, exocytosis and endocytosis, the nucleus, cell cycle and apoptosis, cell signaling, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, wound repair, cell surface specializations and junctions, and basic tissue biology of epithelia, connective tissue and nerve tissue. The lecture series provides an overview of important concepts in cell biology. Key experiments are described and some of the relevant topics of cell biology in the news are discussed.

PHPY5021 Fundamentals of Pharmacology. 3 cr. Fall
The quantitative aspects of dose effect relationships, drug antagonism and specificity of drugs for effector systems are considered. Laboratory exercises are included.

PHPY N5030 Topics in Pharmacology. 3 cr. Spring
This course will cover a few selected areas in pharmacology. Drugs used in treatment of central nervous system disorders, endocrine clinical problems and chemotherapy. Textbooks: Goodman & Gilman’s “The Pharmacologic Basics of Therapeutics” and Katzung’s “Basic and Clinical Pharmacology.” Jan-May

Students choose any one of the following courses:

PHPY N5225 Principles of Toxicology, 3 cr. Fall
This interdisciplinary course will survey the principles of toxicology that pertain to human health. Course content will include an historical background of toxicology and classroom instruction on organ and physiologic system dysfunction following exposure to toxic agents with emphasis on diagnostic techniques. Selected topics include: genotoxicity; carcinogenicity; teratology, toxicity of the central nervous; reproductive, respiratory and hematological systems; hepatic, renal, dermal and ocular toxicity. Presentation: an evidence oriented approach; material is presented through a series of lectures, small group discussions and self-study modules.

PATH N5209 The Business of Science: Drug Development – Discovery to Market. 3 cr. Fall
The goals of this course are to survey the basic concepts and strategies for drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on practical applications rather than theory; provide in-depth consideration of the key phases of pre-clinical drug discovery; examine the impact of rapidly changing “disruptive technologies” on the processes of drug discovery; study the basic design and conduct of phase 1-4 clinical trials; provide a forum for discussion of practical considerations of careers in drug discovery/development; and provide and opportunity for practical application of concepts.

GSND 5215Q Animal Models in Biomedical Research. 2 cr. Spring
This course will provide the background, history, rationale, limitations and regulations for using animal models in biomedical research. Part of the course will be didactic lectures on topics including genetically engineered models, oncology models, pharmaceutical research, and translational models. Faculty presentations will describe existing models. Student presentations will be given on novel animal models.

PATH5070 Laboratory Animal Science 3 cr. Spring
This is an introductory course dealing with the care and use of animals in biomedical research. The course covers history of animal research, ethics and animal rights, Federal Regulations, the IACUC, and search for alternatives, animal models and research use. Also discussed are the husbandry, care and use of and common diseases and procedures in rats, mice and rabbits. The laboratory sessions provide the student with hands-on experience in handling the above species and an opportunity to practice the procedures as described. This 3-credit course is given as 11 one-hour didactic sessions each followed by a two-hour laboratory session. A midterm and a final exam are included

MSBS 5100 Current Molecular Techniques. 3 cr. Spring
The goal of this course is to provide graduate students with an understanding of the concepts and practice of contemporary molecular techniques. The emphasis of the course will be on exposure to and experience with methodologies. Therefore, a major aspect will be actual hands-on experience in basic research laboratories. There are three organizational modules and associated with each module are 7-10 techniques. Students will be divided into small groups (3-4) and will be assigned a technique. Senior graduate students, Post docs, or P.I.’s will offer direct training in laboratories currently using the technique, over the span of 1-2 days. Each small group will then make a presentation to the entire class. These presentations will include (1) a detailed protocol, (2) any data derived from the technique studied with experimental context and (3) a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the method.