Overview of the M.Sc. Thesis-Based Program

The objective of the Pharmacology M.Sc. degree is to have students think critically about scientific issues and to develop a knowledge-base in pharmacology. Graduates must be able to formulate hypotheses in a specific area of pharmacological research and test them through active research. 

During training of M.Sc. students, emphasis is placed on obtaining a knowledge of pharmacology and its principles, as well as being experienced in selected experimental techniques commonly used in pharmacology. The Department sees a primary responsibility in training career pharmacologists and does not encourage training at the Master's level that is not intended to lead to a scientific career. 

Presently the Department offers two formats of study leading to the M.Sc. degree. Students within the Thesis-Based M.Sc. will participate in a research program and present the results of the investigation as a written thesis. The thesis will be evaluated and defended to the satisfaction of a thesis examination committee. 
 

Transferring to the Ph.D. Program

Outstanding M.Sc. students in the thesis-based program may apply to transfer to the Ph.D. program within the first 12-18 months of their M.Sc. program. The required 1st-year Seminar is used as a screening tool to determine possible transfers. In order to transfer a student must possess the academic qualities that are necessary for a Ph.D. candidate, and their M.Sc. research project must be expandable in scope to meet Ph.D. thesis research requirements. If the latter 2 requirements have been approved by the Departmental Graduate Education Committee, the screening may proceed.

Students enrolled in the course-based Applied Clinical Pharmacology program are not eligible to transfer to the Ph.D. program; however, they are eligible to apply for the PhD program in Pharmacology upon completion of the MSc program.

For information on transferring from the MSc program, consult Transferring from the M.Sc. to the PhD Program within Pharmacology.