Course Descriptions
Course descriptions are listed by department. The course numbering system gives the department code followed by the course number. The number of semester hours is designated by s.h.

Department of Biochemistry
GENBS-601. Biochemistry. This course offers an introduction to the basic principals and fundamental concepts of biochemistry. Subjects include major metabolic pathways, properties of enzymes, the flow of genetic information and the control of gene expression. Clinical implications of alterations in these processes is integrated into the lecture material. 4 s.h. Fall.

Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
PHMPR-620. Anatomy. Survey of the gross structure of the human body. Functional aspects of the structures are stressed. Intended for students in the College of Pharmacy. 4 s.h. Fall.

Department of Pharmacology
GENBS-650. Pharmacology I. A systematic study of the science of drugs, their chemical constituents, and biological action taught in a lecture, demonstration, and small group conference format. Special emphasis is placed on the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of pharmacological agents. 4 s.h. Fall.

GENBS-676. Pharmacology II. A continuation of Pharmacology I. 4 s.h. Spring.

Department of Physiology
GENBS-626. Human Physiology. Human Physiology is primarily a lecture-based course designed to cover the basic concepts of human physiology. Core material is organized around a systems approach covering the function of all organ systems and how they are regulated and integrated by the body to maintain homeostasis 7 s.h. Spring.

Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Sciences
Faculty are listed on the College of Pharmacy website.

In addition to the above, there are a number of pharmacists with various clinical appointments who are involved in either course work or rotations within the department.

PHMPR-661. Professional Experience Unit II (PEU-II). This course builds on the clinical experience gained in PEU-I. The student is introduced to patient histories and the development of “SOAP” notes. With this information, students are encouraged to develop problem-solving skills. 1 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-663. Pharmacy Practice Management. This survey course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage the financial, human, time, and other resources within the various practice environments. The examples used to illustrate concepts will be drawn from practice situations. Instructional methods employed include lectures, case studies, and selected out-of-class assignments. 3 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-676. Ambulatory and Self Care Therapeutics. Considerations of the therapy used in treating medical conditions commonly encountered in community (ambulatory) care settings. Emphasis is placed on self care where appropriate and the use of nonprescription medications as well as other self care measures. 4 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-679. Patient Assessment and Care. The course covers basic patient assessment skills required in the delivery of pharmaceutical care and examines a variety of nonprescription healthcare products which pharmacists advise and educate patients about on a daily basis. Some of the topics covered include cardiovascular and respiratory assessment, inhalation delivery devices, home diagnostic and monitoring tests, considerations for the diabetic patient, ambulation aids, home health accessories and others. Other practice related topics are also covered. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-680. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. The course is designed to acquaint the Doctor of Pharmacy students with the clinical application of basic pharmacokinetic principles to the safe and effective management of the individual patient. Basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with direct clinical implications are reviewed in detail. Emphasis is on the design of drug dosage regimens, therapeutic drug monitoring and adjustment of drug therapy. The application of these principles are illustrated and reinforced through discussions of pertinent drugs and case examples. Prerequisites: PHRSC-650. 3 s.h.

PHMPR-700. Community Externship. Designed to give the student practical experience in a community pharmacy setting with emphasis on prescription filling (prescription interpretation, legal requirements, etc.) drug products, computer programs, managerial functions, OTC knowledge, and communications with pharmacists, healthcare providers and patients. 4 s.h. Summer/May/August. After 2nd yr.

PHMPR-701. Hospital Externship. Designed to give the student practical experience in a hospital setting with an emphasis on order interpretation, hospital policy and procedure, experience with therapeutic problems and outcomes, patient monitoring, medication packaging, parenteral preparation using aseptic technique and communication with pharmacists, health care providers and patients. 4 s.h. Summer/May/August. After 2nd yr.

PHMPR-709. Designs For Outcomes Research. This course uses a series of faculty lectures and discussion seminars, followed by student-led problem-focused seminars. It will introduce clinical professionals/students to common statistical methods and study designs used in pharmacoepidemiology and outcomes research, as well as to issues related to the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of results of clinical trials and outcome studies. 2 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-711. Pharmacy Law and Ethics. A survey of pharmacy law and ethics that will provide a basis for practice and begin the student’s preparation for the licensing exams. The course uses both lecture and discussion formats to explore the detail of pharmacy law and the nature of pharmacy ethics. 3 s.h. Fall

PHMPR-729. Advanced Drug Information. This course further develops prior drug information skills. Emphasis is placed on advanced searching skills, study design, literature evaluation, formulary management, adverse drug reactions, and medication use evaluations. Training in on-line literature retrieval and in the application of drug information skills is also provided. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-732 Disease Processes And Therapeutics I. (Fall semester; third year); 11 credit hours.

PHMPR 733-01. Disease Process & Therapeutics II
6 credit hours. Weart

PHMPR 734-01. Disease Process & Therapeutics III 
5 credit hours. Weart

Disease Process and Therapeutics (DPT) consists of 24 hours of course work currently spanning two semesters. DPT is divided into three courses (DPT I, DPT II, DPT III) offered in the third professional year of training. DPT builds upon the prerequisites of the basic sciences, particularly anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, medical terminology, and pharmacokinetics. DPT provides an organ-based approach to pharmaceutical care and disease management. Students in DPT will learn about disease (pathology and pathophysiology), disease prevention and health promotion as well as the drug and non-drug therapy of acute and chronic disease seen in both hospitalized and ambulatory patients. Emphasis is placed on solving patient problems.

Students are expected to read assignments prior to coming to class, participate in class discussion and group assignments, review material daily and be prepared to take examinations. A minimum outside study time of at least two hours for each classroom hour is expected. Students are also expected to seek advice or assistance from the course coordinator, topic expert, or other academic advisor in a timely manner should it become apparent that the student is not performing well or has a personal issue that will prevent the student from completing tasks or examinations. Access to the Internet, MUSC email, and library access are required.

DPT I covers the following areas: Fluid and Electrolytes, Nutrition, Anemias, Immunology, Cardiovascular, Renal, Oncology, Women’s Health, Pulmonary, and Toxicology.

DPT II covers the following areas: Neurology, Infectious Disease, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Gastroenterology.

DPT III covers the following areas: Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Drug interactions, and selected contemporary medical topics.

PHMPR 751. Special Projects. These courses provide the opportunity for students to pursue special studies in areas concerned with professional practice or pharmacy-related research under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Topics/areas of concentration are dependent on the student interests and the faculty member’s expertise.  1-3 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-754. Personal Finance. To provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage their personal finances in an effective manner. To understand the process of making personal financial decisions, establish financial goals, long term retirement plans, tax strategies, investments insurance, and use of credit. 3 s.h. Fall and Spring.

PHMPR-758. Survey of Herbal Medicine and Alternative Healing Practices. This course is designed to expose the student to a wide variety of complementary and alternative medical practices, with an emphasis on herbal medicine. Discussions will also include regulation of herbal supplements, evaluation of the alternative medicine literature, and disease-directed discussions with case studies. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-759. Acute Care Therapeutics. A disease-oriented and organ integrated approach to the care of patients with acute illnesses managed in the inpatient hospital setting. Students will learn common disease processes that affect the acutely ill hospitalized patient, and the appropriate pharmacotherapy to treat these patients. This course focuses on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and integrating material from this course and previous courses in a case-based format. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-760. History of Pharmacy. This course will review the history of pharmacy from its pre-historic roots to the present. Special emphasis will be placed upon those aspects of pharmacy history relating to South Carolina, including the evaluation of pharmacy education. Rather than emphasizing memory of specific dates and places, the course will emphasize recognition of regional and national events and their impact and influence upon the evolution of American Pharmacy. Students will have access to historic pharmacy artifacts and equipment. Several field trips to area museums and collections will enhance the lecture-demonstration sessions. The course will strive to assist students in understanding how the current conditions of our profession evolved and the efforts entailed in bringing it to the current stature. The course will aim at cultivating student lifelong interest in pharmacy history. 2 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-761 (cross listed as BMTRY-732). Introduction to Decision Analysis. This course is focused on the interpretation and translation of data through integrative models as a tool for improving evidence-based decision making in health care settings. Topics include: clinical decisions and decision analysis, policy analysis approaches, expected value, contingent probabilities and uncertainty, utility assessment, decision trees, Markov, Monte Carlo and simulation models in decision analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and sensitivity analysis. The course is designed primarily for the student in a health-related discipline and who desires a greater understanding of conduct and interpretations of decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. A paper analyzing a clinical or policy problem using a decision model is required. Prerequisites: PHPMR-709 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h. Summer.

PHMPR-762 (cross listed as BMTRY-733). Introduction to Health Services Research. This course is designed primarily for the student who desires a greater understanding of how to conduct and interpret health service research. The course is focused on empirical measurement and interpretation of data in health services research. Topics include: conceptual frameworks for health services research (health behavior, organizational theory, economic, or public policy-based approaches), current issues in health services research (effectiveness, cost, quality of care, and access to care), methods for health services research (observational studies, process improvement, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs), and health services research data sources (primary data collection and use of archival data sources). Prerequisites: PHPMR-709 or BMTRY-700 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h. Summer.

PHMPR-763. Health System Pharmacy Pract. This course is designed to familiarize the student with information concerning the provision of pharmacy services in a health care organization with an emphasis on standards of practice and policy development.  It will also provide an overview of leadership and management within health system settings. 2 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-764. Pharmacy Systems and Services. Introduction to the pharmaceutical care delivery system for drug products, related pharmaceutical goods and clinical services. 2 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-765. Geriatric & Long Term Care. This course will introduce students to various topics related to the care of older patients in the community and/or long term care setting.  In addition to class discussions and lectures, students will participate in a shadowing experience with consultant pharmacists, write a newsletter article and complete a project related to healthy aging. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-769. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice III. This course discusses the principle of radiation interactions with matter, and radiation instrumentation.  The course also describes the nuclear medicine studies in the central nervous system, skeletal system and immunologic system. 2 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-770. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice IV. This course discusses the basic principles of health physics and radiation biology.  The course also presents the nuclear medicine studies in the renal system, gastrointestinal system and oncology. Radiopharmacology and opportunities for radiopharmaceutical care are also discussed. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-780. Track Conference I. This is a skills development course intended to prepare students for optimal performance on clinical rotations.  Students will review and practice various skills commonly utilized in the provision of clinical pharmacy services including pharmacokinetics, dosage and fluid/electrolyte/ nutrition calculations, note writing, and communication skills. 1 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-781. Track Conference II. Track Conference II is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to learn about and discuss special topics related to pharmacy and health care.  This conference is intended to help the student prepare for their future careers which may include post-graduate clinical training. Conference will be combined with RITE (resident's interactive teaching experience) as applicable. 1 s.h. Fall.

PHMPR-782. Track Conference III. Track Conference III is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to learn about and discuss special topics related to pharmacy and health care.  This conference is intended to help the student prepare for their future careers which may include post-graduate clinical training. Conference will be combined with RITE (resident's interactive teaching experience) as applicable. 1 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-783. Veterinary Therapeutics. Upon completing this course, students will have obtained knowledge and skills that can positively impact educational, veterinary and economic outcomes by applying their drug knowledge resources to veterinary situations. This course will provide valuable instruction on the uses and indication of human and veterinary labeled medication used in the treatment of diseases affecting animal patients. Common animal disease states affecting small animals, large animals and food animals will be resented and discussed. Legal and regulatory issues that affect the practice of veterinary pharmacy will be emphasized. Exploration and utilization of text and Internet-based veterinary-specific resources will be highlighted, Additionally, current topics in veterinary medicine and veterinary pharmacy will be discussed.

PHMPR-784. Clinical Immunology & Transplant. Clinical Immunology & Transplantation is an elective course for 2nd and 3rd year students in the SCCP.  The course will build upon principles of immunology covered in microbiology/immunology (SCCP 610) to include monitoring the immune system, hypersensitivity reactions, and the principles and role of pharmacist in transplantation. 2 s.h. Fall/Spring

PHMPR 787 01 (Cares Service Learning Elective) Interprofessional service learning elective involving medical, pharmacy, and physician assistant students. Students will volunteer at the free CARES medicl clinic and participate in an elective lecture on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. 1 s.h.

PHMPR-810. Trauma/ICU. This one month rotation provides clinical experience in application of pharmacotherapy and nutritional management to adult trauma and surgical patients in an intensive care environment.  Students will gain experience working with the medical team in the management of common critical conditions. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-812. Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Rotations [one month each]. Cardiovascular Medicine. This cardiovascular specialty clerkship provides an extensive overview of contemporary cardiovascular medicine. The student will gain experience in monitoring cardiology patients in the coronary care unit as well as medically stable patients on intermediate care units. Practical experience in managing patients with atherosclerotic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias will be emphasized. Prerequisite: fourth-year standing. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-821, 822, 823. Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Rotation (Family Medicine). A rotation set in an ambulatory care facility where the Pharm.D. student becomes an intricate member of a group practice consisting of family medicine faculty physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and auxillary staff. Primarily designed for Pharm.D. students. 4 s.h. each. Summer/Fall/Spring.

PHMPR 824. Family Medicine IV (Inpatient). The inpatient Family Medicine service provides exposure to a variety of disease states and allows the student to gain experience in developing pharmaceutical care plans on many types of patients including; pediatrics, obstetrics, and adult medicine. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary learning and continuity of care through all aspects of health care delivery. Prerequisite: fourth year Pharm.D. standing. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-831. Medicine. Adult internal medicine rotations provide experiences which concentrate on clinical pharmacy activities on a variety of adult medicine inpatient services. The rotation activities provide exposure to a variety of disease states, allowing the student to gain experience monitoring drug therapy and to participate in the therapeutic decision making process. Students will participate in other activities including patient care conferences and undergraduate student education. 4 s.h.

PHMPR-833. MICU. This rotation offers students the opportunity to apply their patient management skills by providing pharmacotherapeutic, nutritional and pharmacokinetic consultations to the pulmonary/critical care team. Emphasis is on adults admitted to the medical intensive care unit for overdose, multi-organ failure or mechanical ventilation. 4 s.h. Summer/Fall/Spring.

PHMPR-836. Pediatric or Neonatal Critical Care. During this rotation, the student will participate in the care of patients in either the pediatric or neonatal intensive care unit.  The experience will include exposure to a variety of problems in the critically ill child or neonate including hemodynamic monitoring and management, trauma, poisonings, ventilator management, cardiology, sepsis, nutrition, congenital abnormalities, and care of the premature infant. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-837. Pediatric Surgery. This clerkship offers students the opportunity to participate in the daily care of patients on the pediatric surgery service. Emphasis is placed on parenteral and enteral nutrition as well as drug therapy. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-839. Grand Rounds. Weekly, formal, oral presentations with audiovisuals on controversial or new areas of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry or pharmacy practice. A follow-up question and answer period examines the students ability to substantiate his/her conclusions. Content and presentation technique will be critiqued. 0.5 s.h. Fall, 0.5 s.h. Spring.

PHMPR-840. Psychopharmacy I. This rotation is based in MUSC’s Institute of Psychiatry. Activities include team meetings, rounds, patient assessments, attending group therapy, and pharmacokinetic assessment of psychiatric medications. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-841. Psychopharmacy II. This rotation uses the framework of the first psychiatry rotation. Additional time may be spent in a specialized area. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer. Morton, Markowitz, VandenBerg

PHMPR-844. Drug Information I. This rotation placed emphasis on the provision of drug information through experience in the MUSC-MC Drug Information Center. Students participate in the daily activities including verbal and written responses to drug information requests, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee functions, newsletters, adverse drug reaction monitoring, and monograph preparation. Prerequisite:  PHMPR-610 and PHMPR-729 or equivalent. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-845. Drug Information II. This rotation concentrates in an area of student interest (i.e., drug use evaluation, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee functions, medical writing). Students may elect to complete this rotation at an extramural site such as a pharmaceutical manufacturing information service, poison control center, etc., pending faculty approval. Prerequisite: PHMPR-844. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-846. Ambulatory Care I. This rotation involves the candidate in the daily provision of clinical pharmacy services in an ambulatory setting. Responsibilities include providing drug and drug therapy information for disease states commonly encountered in outpatient settings; interviewing patients to elicit drug histories, health status, and adherence to therapy; performing drug regimen reviews to enhance outcome; identifying, assessing, and solving therapeutic problems; providing patient instruction and education; and monitoring drug therapy as a component of multidisciplinary health care. A significant aspect of this rotation pertains to the long term management of chronically ill patients. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-847. Ambulatory Care II. A continuation of PHMPR-846 with emphasis on designing and implementing drug therapy management plans including choosing the most appropriate therapeutic agent(s); means of initiating therapy; subjective and objective monitoring parameters; therapeutic outcome monitoring parameters, follow through with management plans; and long range follow up strategies. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-848. Ambulatory Care III. An expansion of Ambulatory Care I and II that uses the existing knowledge and skills and allows the student to increase their personal responsibility and accountability in providing pharmaceutical care. Additionally, it increases the continuity of care and strengthens the relationship among the student/patient and student/health care provider. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-849. Administration. This is a one-month experiential rotation focusing on health system pharmacy administration. The student will be introduced to the role the health system pharmacy manager plays in directing the clinical and operational aspects of the MUSC Medical Center Department of Pharmacy Services. The student will review pertinent literature, participate in management discussions, and complete projects. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-850. Nuclear Pharmacy. A supervised, clinical experience in nuclear pharmacy with emphasis on learning to be an 147Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist148 and participating in patient management as a member of the nuclear medicine team. The students learn the required specialized skills as a nuclear pharmacist, and the applications of their didactic knowledge to patient management using nuclear medicine studies. Prerequisite: Nuclear Pharmacy track, or permission from the instructor. 4 s.h. Summer, Fall, Spring.

PHMPR-852. Surgery. During this rotation, the student participates in the direct patient care of surgical patients. The student acts as the resource for the surgery team for pharmacotherapeutic, nutritional, and pharmacokinetic information. Experiences are available in gastrointestinal, vascular-oncology, cardiothoracic, transplant, burn-trauma, and neurosurgery. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR 853. Neurosurgery/SICU. This one month rotation provides clinical experience in application of pharmacotherapy to neurology and neurosurgery patients in intensive care environment and clinic environments.  Students will gain experience working with the medical team in the management of medical conditions involving the nervous system. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR 854 CT Surgery. This one month rotation provides clinical experience in application of pharmacotherapy and nutritional management to cardiothoracic surgical and heart transplant patients in an intensive care and general surgery ward environments.  Students will gain experience working with the medical team in the management of common medical problems among these populations. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-860. Oncology. This rotation offers students opportunities to apply pharmacotherapy to the management of patients on the hematology/oncology service. Emphasis is placed on understanding principles of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and supportive care used to treat patients with oncological diseases. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-861. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. This rotation allows the student to participate in the care of patients on the pediatric hematology/oncology service. Emphasis is placed on understanding the principles of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive care used to treat pediatric patients with cancer. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR 868 Acute Care I. This is a month long advanced pharmacy practice clinical experience in an inpatient setting which involves the application of pharmacotherapy and nutrition in patient care.  Students will be part of a medical team managing patients confined in a hospital or extended care facility.  4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR 869 Acute Care II.  This month long advanced pharmacy practice experience is a continuation of PHMPR 868 in an inpatient setting with emphasis of monitoring drug therapy and making pharmacotherapy decisions.  Students will participate in these and other clinical activities appropriate to inpatient care.  4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR-871. Emergency Room. This rotation offers students the opportunity to become familiar with and develop clinical skills unique to the practice of emergency medicine. Students gain experience in providing pharmacotherapy and managing drug overdoses and toxic drug reactions through direct encounter with patients seen in an emergency room. Students provide drug information for the emergency medicine team, initiate and monitor drugs utilized in life threatening emergencies, interview patients to obtain medication histories and counsel patients or families concerning appropriate drug therapy. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMPR 883 Community Family Medicine. This advanced pharmacy practice experience is gained in a pharmacy ambulatory care setting. The emphasis is placed on patient counseling and other patient care activities. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer. 

PHMPR-885. Outcomes Research I. The student will develop basic skills in the construction of analytical data sets from prescription billing and hospital admission data files using SAS or STATA software, as well as in the analysis and reporting of results. Methods used will include univariate analysis, OLS and logistic regression, and propensity score construction. The course may be scheduled as a one-month full-time rotation where the student works as a member of the Outcomes Research Group, or as a one-semester part-time course, with the student attending 12 hours per week. This course is required for PharmD students on the Outcomes Research Track.  4 s.h. Summer/Fall/Spring.

PHMPR-886. Outcomes Research II (4). The student will develop basic skills in construction of analytical data sets from clinical trial or electronic medical record data files using SAS or STATA software, as well as in the analysis and reporting of results. Methods used will include T-score development, cluster and factor analysis. The course may be scheduled as a one-month full-time rotation where the student works as a member of the Outcomes Research Group, or as a one-semester part-time course, with the student attending 12 hours per week. Prerequisite: PHPMR 885. 4 s.h. Summer/Fall/Spring.

PHMPR 888 Hospital Pharmacy Practice.  A required advanced pharmacy practices experience gained in a hospital which builds on the introductory hospital experience regulatory, human resources, and technology issues, as well as distribution.  4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer. 

PHMPR-889. Community Elective Specialized. Community clerkship rotations in locations offering specialized pharmacy services, e.g., disease management, pharmacy sales, compounding pharmacy, long term care, medical liaison, regulatory pharmacy, association administration, etc. 4 s.h. Summer, Fall, Spring.

PHMPR 893-01 (Neuroscience/Research) The student will develop knowledge of commonly encountered disease states seen in neurosurgery and neurology services and to foster an understanding of clinical research (protocols, screening, and enrollment.) Communications skills and time management skills will be necessary to interact with patients and family nurses and the neurosurgery/neurosciences team and other health care professionals.

PHMPR 849-01 (HIV Clinic) A rotation set in an ambulatory care clinic where the PharmD. student works with and learns from other health care providers including nurses, faculty physicians, and nurse practitioners in managing pharmacotherapy of adults with HIV. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer. 

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Faculty are listed on the College of Pharmacy website.

PHRSC-600. Drug Delivery Systems. The study and application of physicochemical principles to the design, formulation and effective use of dosage forms. Topics include drug solubility, chemical kinetics, sterile and non-sterile solutions, and radiopharmaceuticals. 3 s.h. Fall.

PHRSC-626. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Immunology. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of immunology and biotechnology. The first half of the course covers basic immunology, its clinical application, and introduces drugs which alter the immune system. The second half of the course reviews the production of therapeutic agents using biotechnology and the current and potential applications of these agents. Prerequisites: first year, second semester standing. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHRSC-627. Medicinal Chemistry I. The general principles of medicinal chemistry with emphasis on the molecular interactions of drugs with biological systems, as well as the fundamentals of rational drug therapy are presented. The physiochemical properties that functional groups confer on drug molecules as related to absorption, disposition characteristics, and drug metabolism are discussed. The theories and principles of drug-receptor interactions and drug design are presented. The prostaglandins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, mineralosteroids, corticosteroids, sex hormone, thyroid agents and oral hypoglycemic agents are considered in detail. Prerequisites: Organic chemistry, biochemistry. Corequisites: Physiology and pharmaceutics. 3 s.h. Spring

PHRSC-628. Drug Delivery Systems II. A continuation of Drug Delivery Systems I. Topics include dispersed systems, semi-solid and solid dosage forms, transdermal drug delivery, and innovative dosage forms. 3. s.h. Spring.

PHRSC-650. Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics. An introduction to those fundamental elements of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics that are relevant to the safe and effective use of drugs. Subjects includes the kinetics of absorption, distribution and elimination of drugs in humans and the significance of these processes in drug therapy. Principles are considered using a problem solving format based upon concepts, origins, calculations, applications and limitations. Assumptions are stressed to achieve an understanding of valid and non-valid usage. Students will develop the ability to read, interpret, understand and apply pharmacokinetic information. Prerequisites: PHRSC-628, Drug Delivery Systems. 3 s.h. Fall.

PHRSC-651. Medicinal Chemistry II. This course applies the pharmaceutical science principles established in Medicinal Chemistry I to a survey of drug classes. These classes include autonomic agents, psychotropics, opiods, anticonvulsants, antihistamine, GI drugs, antibiotics and antifungals. An emphasis is placed on drug receptor site specificity, structure-pharmacokinetic relationships, pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic drug interactions, pharmacogenomics and the influence of double metabolism on therapeutic response. 4 s.h. Fall.

PHRSC-676. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. The course is designed to acquaint the Doctor of Pharmacy students with the clinical application of basic pharmacokinetic principles to the safe and effective management of the individual patient. Basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with direct clinical implications are reviewed in detail. Emphasis is on the design of drug dosage regimens, therapeutic drug monitoring and adjustment of drug therapy. The application of these principles are illustrated and reinforced through discussions of pertinent drugs and case examples. Prerequisites: PHRSC-650. 3 s.h. Spring.

PHRSC-751. Nuclear Pharmacy Special Project. These courses provide the opportunity for students to pursue special studies in areas concerned with professional practice or pharmacy-related research under the direct supervision of a faculty member.  Topics/areas of concentration are dependent on the student interests and the faculty member's expertise.  1-3 s.h.  Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHRSC-752. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice I. This is the first course of the four nuclear pharmacy electives offered for students who are interested in the nuclear pharmacy track. In order to obtain the “Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist Certificate” at the time of graduation, students must take this course in their second year fall semester. This course is prerequisite for the subsequent courses. The course introduces students to basic radiation physics, decay kinetics, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, nuclear pharmacy compounding and dispensing techniques, and clinical nuclear cardiology. 2 s.h. Fall.

PHRSC-753. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice II. This course discusses the production methods of medical radioisotopes and the in-house generator systems. Emphasis is on the generator kinetics, chemistry and quality control procedures. Clinical nuclear medicine applications in the organ systems of the kidneys, lungs, and the thyroid glands are presented. Emphasis is on the drug of choice, mechanisms of action, and patient management using nuclear medicine studies. Prerequisite: PHRSC-752 or permission from the instructor. 2 s.h. Spring.

PHRSC-754. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice III. This course discusses the major principle of radiation interactions with matter and nuclear instrumentation. Emphasis is on the basic design of radiation detectors and their clinical applications in nuclear medicine. Clinical nuclear medicine applications in the organ systems of the central nervous system, skeletal and immunology are presented. Emphasis is on the drug of choice, mechanisms of action, and patient management using nuclear medicine studies. Prerequisite: PHRSC-752 and PHRSC-753 or permission from the instructor. 2 s.h. Fall.

PHRSC-755. Nuclear Pharmacy Practice IV. This course discusses the major principles of the practice of health physics and radiation protection, dosimetry and radiation biology. Clinical nuclear medicine applications in the organ systems of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary tract and onocology are presented. Positron emission tomography (PET), PET radiopharmaceuticals and their clinical applications are also discussed. Prerequisite: PHRSC-752, -753 and -754, or permission from the instructor. 2 s.h. Spring.

PHRSC-800. Research. Elective rotations are offered to allow students to gain additional research experience in focused areas achievable during a one-month rotation (e.g. statistical applications, pharmacokinetic computer modeling, analytical laboratory experience, scientific writing, patient assessment, etc.). 4 s.h. Summer/Spring/Fall.

PHRSC-850. Nuclear Pharmacy Clinical Rotation. A supervised, clinical experience in nuclear pharmacy with emphasis on learning to be an “Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist” and participating in patient management as a member of the nuclear medicine team. The students learn the required specialized skills as a nuclear pharmacist, and the applications of their didactic knowledge to patient management using nuclear medicine studies. Prerequisite: Nuclear Pharmacy track, or permission from the instructor. 4 s.h. Fall and Spring.

PHRSC-855. Infectious Diseases. The student participates in the infectious diseases consultation and inpatient services, serving as the resource for pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic information. Prerequisite: second-year Pharm.D. standing. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHRSC-860. Oncology. This rotation offers students opportunities to apply pharmacotherapy to the management of patients on the hematology oncology service. Emphasis is placed on understanding principles of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and supportive care used to treat patients with oncological diseases. Prerequisite: second-year Pharm.D. standing. 4 s.h. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PHMSC 980 - Thesis. Variable s.h.