Drexel University College of Medicine

The Master of Science degree program in Drug Discovery & Development provides students the opportunity to understand, evaluate, and engage with the entire process of drug discovery and development. This unique master of science program prepares graduates for a sustainable career with a biotechnology firm, pharmaceutical company, contract research organization, or academic research laboratory.

Who Should Apply?

Typical backgrounds of Drug Discovery & Development program students include:

• Industrial and biotechnology employees
• Recent college graduates
• Graduate students
• Postdoctoral fellows
• College graduates interested in a career change

Apply to the Program

Applications for the Drug Discovery & Development program are accepted throughout the year. Individuals interested in the program should email the program directors at: drugdiscovery@drexelmed.edu. For application and administrative details please contact Stephanie Hasson at 215-991-8146.

Apply to the Drug Discovery & Development program.

Faculty

The Drug Discovery & Development program faculty includes senior-level executives from Greater Philadelphia area pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, who provide unique knowledge, experience, and expertise. Multiple opportunities for interaction with other basic science and clinical departments, are provided by expert faculty from:

• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Drexel University's LeBow School of Business
• Drexel School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
• Drexel University School of Public Health

A large number of pharmaceutical and bioscience companies in the Greater Philadelphia area and in the state of Pennsylvania provide extensive opportunities for students in the Drug Discovery & Development program to have direct contact with their executives and scientists, supporting mentoring and career advancement.

Program of Study

The curriculum provides a complete overview of the drug discovery process. Students gain comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, pharmacoepidemiology, translational medicine, and pharmacogenomics. Working in project teams, students get practical experience implementing strategies.

Topics covered in this program include:

• The evolution of drug discovery and modern medicine
• The identification, validation, and diversity of drug targets
• Chemical and biological space
• Translational medicine, translational and preclinical models
• Case studies across therapeutic and disease areas
• Phases of drug development
• Business Courses
• Pharmacoepidemiology
• Pharmacology and Physiology
• Regulatory and postmarketing issues
• Entrepreneurship

Program Requirements

A total of 38 credits is required for graduation.

A written thesis is required and must be focused on an area of concentration within the pharmaceutical industry. The thesis may be based on research (laboratory or otherwise) conducted within a pharmaceutical rotation, which may be at Drexel or in one of the pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, or may be a scholarly thesis based on a topic of relevance to the program.

Curriculum Timeline

Fall Semester I
Drug Discovery and Development I: Targets to Clinical Development
Graduate Pharmacology
Biostatistics

Spring Semester I
Drug Discovery and Development II: Clinical Development to Market
Scientific Integrity and Ethics
Pharmacogenomics
Implementing Strategies with Project Teams

Fall Semester II
Graduate Physiology
Leadership and Professional Development
Elective(s)

Spring Semester II
Research in DDD – Pharmaceutical Rotation
Elective(s)

Electives
Bioinformatics
Biotechniques
Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine
Animal Models for Biomedical Research
Epidemiology
Vaccines and Vaccine Development

Apply to the Drug Discovery & Development program.

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