MS in Drug Discovery and Development
Boston
The Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development is designed to teach students about the scientific principles underlying the discovery and development of pharmaceutical entities and give students a broad understanding of the drug discovery process.
Candidates for this program have earned a bachelor’s degree and are interested in positions of increased responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry in a science discipline. The degree is offered through a 30-credit, 10-course program; classes meet in the evening. Students are encouraged to take two courses per semester and thus finish the program in five semesters.
The program includes coursework in areas that have been identified as important for career advancement in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientific courses include target identification and validation, assay development, high-throughput screening, combinatorial chemistry and lead optimization. Other courses include statistics, scientific comprehension, presentation skills and communication. Included in the curriculum is the completion of a non-laboratory based thesis or case study comprised of a written proposal and an oral defense.
Program Objectives and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a graduate is expected to have:
- A broad and extensive knowledge and understanding of the complete drug discovery and development process for pharmaceutical entities.
- The scientific skills necessary to choose, prioritize and compare drug targets, biological assays and lead compounds.
- The oral, written and information technology skills required for effective communication with collaborators, senior scientists and internal management.
- The communication skills as well as the scientific knowledge needed to successfully participate in a drug discovery and development project team.