Courses
The following courses are offered through the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. If you are a student and would like to register for classes, please see the University Class Schedule as some courses are not offered every semester.
If you would like to learn more about the Introduction to Medical Pharmacology course, below, please see this expanded listing.
↵ Academics
Molecular Neurobiology and Pharmacology
Prereq: consent of instructor. Examines a spectrum of topics ranging from the regulation of gene expression in the nervous system to the structure and function of receptors and ion channels. Emphasis is placed on theoretical foundations of pharmacological methods in neurobiology. Gibbs. 4 cr, Spring sem.
Molecular & Translational Pharmacology
This course introduces the student to the principles of pharmacology in the context of neurobiology. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical foundations of pharmacological methods in neurobiology and application of these methods to basic research and drug discovery. 2 cr, Fall sem.
Molecular Neurobiology & Pharmacology II
This course introduces the student to the principles of pharmacology in the context of neurobiology. Emphasis is placed on translational pharmacology and the application of pharmacology to therapeutics, particularly to neurological disorders. 2 cr, Spring sem.
Cancer Biology & Genetics
This course covers topics in tumor biology including: tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis; viruses, immunodeficiency, and cancer; chemical carcinogenesis; signal transduction; anti-oncogenes and familial cancer syndromes; apoptosis and cancer; cell cycle control; DNA repair; principles of cancer therapy; immunotherapy of cancer; anti-angiogenesis therapy; and modern molecular diagnostic techniques. 2 cr, Fall sem.
Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology
Supervised laboratory rotation emphasizing modern research techniques in molecular, cellular, and behavioral pharmacology. Problems of collection, summary, and interpretation of data are addressed. 2 cr, Fall & Spring sem.
Introduction to Medical Pharmacology
Principles of pharmacology are covered and several major classes of therapeutic agents, with attention to their mechanisms of action. Issues of current and future concern in medical pharmacology are addressed including problems of drug abuse, the ethics of human experimentation, the pricing of new drugs, and new biotechnological approaches to drug design and development. 4 cr, Spring sem.
Systems Pharmacology
Prereq: consent of instructor. Lectures and discussions on the major classes of pharmacologic agents, with special attention to molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms of therapeutic effects. Wolozin. 2 cr, Fall sem & Spring sem.
Systems Pharmacology and Therapeutics I
This course consists of lectures and discussions on the major classes of neuropharmacological agents, with special attention to systems mechanisms of therapeutic and adverse effects, including molecular, cellular, physiologic, psychological, and pathologic phenomenon. Starting from a basic review of current therapeutics in a particular disease area, students will be encouraged to anticipate new developments in the field and to propose solutions for solving problems with current pharmacologic approaches. 2 cr, Fall sem.
Systems Pharmacology and Therapeutics II
This course consists of lectures and discussions on major classes of pharmacological agents, with special attention to systems mechanisms of therapeutic and adverse effects, including molecular, cellular, physiologic, psychological, and pathologic phenomenon. Starting from a basic review of current therapeutics in a particular disease area, students will be encouraged to anticipate new developments in the field and to propose solutions for solving problems with current pharmacological approaches. The course focuses on cardiovascular, endocrine, and steroid pharmacology and chemotherapy for inflammation, cancer, and bacterial and viral infections. 2 cr, Spring sem.
Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences
This course is given in conjunction with the weekly seminar program of the department. Students present and discuss research papers with the visiting scientist working on the cutting edge of pharmacology. 2 cr, Spring sem.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Friday, 2:00-3:50pm
Course Directors: Drs. Cottone, Kumaresan, Sabino
This course examines the interaction between behavior and classes of drugs that affect the central nervous system. Emphasis is given to how behavioral studies assist understanding of mental disorders, including addictions, anxiety and mood disorders, pain syndromes, and dementia. Since discovering novel compounds for human neuropsychiatric diseases requires the development of valid and useful animal behavioral models for the specific disorder/domains under study, this course will address the current state of knowledge about animal models of mental illnesses and will focus on the neuropharmacological bases of these diseases. Faculty overview of a topic is followed by student-led discussion of an assigned research paper.
Pharmacogenomics
Prereq: consent of instructor. Focuses on genetic differences among individuals and the relevance to drug discovery and development and pharmacotherapies. Biomarkers and technologies used to identify genetic variation will be discussed. Students will develop an understanding of the potential of personalized medicine based on genetically determined phenotypes. Martin, Walsh. 2 cr, Fall sem.
Biochemical Aspects of Neurotransmitters and Chemical Mediators
Prereq: consent of instructor. Lectures and discussions on biosynthesis, inactivation, receptors, and signaling mechanisms of neurotransmitters and chemical mediators including GABA, glutamate, acetylcholine, catecholamines, purines, peptides, prostaglandins, and histamines. Staff. 2 cr, Spring sem.
Gene Regulation and Pharmacology
Prereq: consent of instructor. Focuses on fundamental aspects of gene control with emphasis on the dual role of RNA as both an informational and a catalytic molecule. Topics range from discussions of gene transcription and RNA splicing, to discussions of ribozymes as therapeutic agents. The relevance of these topics to the understanding, and potential treatment of disorders that result from altered patterns of gene expression is stressed. Russek. 2 cr, Fall sem.
Drug Discovery and Development
Prereq: consent of instructor. This course will cover the research process and methodologies for development of small molecule drug products (new chemical entities or NCEs) and protein drug products (biologics). The class sessions will lead students through the drug discovery and development process to submission of the new drug application (NDA). The first part of the course will outline the primary steps in target identification and validation and the pre-exploratory phase. The second part will cover the lead optimization, characterization, and selection of lead candidates. The final topic will cover the objectives and design of clinical trials and the components of the NDA. Students will learn to identify the various stages of the drug development process, understand the data necessary to support movement of a program to the next phase in the process, and be capable of preparing documents and presentations to support recommendations. Offered in collaboration with Pfizer and Biogen. 2 cr., Fall sem.
Molecular and Neural Basis of Learning Behaviors
Prereq: consent of instructor. Lectures and student presentations on literature in learning and memory research with special emphasis on integrated approaches from molecular, genetic, pharmacological levels to circuitry, systems, computational, and behavioral levels. Staff. 2 cr, Spring sem.
Research in Pharmacology
Var cr
Research in Pharmacology
Var cr