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| Admissions - Programs - Registration - Events - Staff - NYMC Home |
PHARMACOLOGY PROGRAM
Program Director: Dr. Michal Schwartzman and Alberto Nasjletti (PhD program); Dr. Charles Stier, (Master's program)
The Department of Pharmacology graduate program offers courses leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Emphasis is placed upon training in research methods including the examination of the action of drugs at the systemic, cellular and subcellular levels, quantitation of responses, statistical analysis, literature search and critical interpretation of data. Special efforts have been made to provide considerable flexibility in determining the student's program based on background, interests and projected aims.
A Master’s and/or Ph.D. degree in pharmacology is good preparation for career opportunities involving research, teaching and administration. Academic positions are found in schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and veterinary medicine. Also, since pharmacology spans many disciplines, academic positions can be found in departments of biology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, immunology, microbiology and molecular biology. Career opportunities also abound in the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology industries as well as in numerous private and government research institutes. There is and will continue to be a high demand for individuals trained in pharmacology to address problems that lie at the forefront of fields relating to basic and applied biological science. Such careers offer intellectual stimulation and creative expression, and will be of practical importance to the future needs of our society.
Further information on admissions and degree requirements, course offerings and research interests are available upon request from the Graduate Program Director.
Master of Science Program
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0409)
A minimum grade of B must be achieved in each pharmacology core course and pharmacology elective. Elective credits must be advanced didactic courses in pharmacology or, if in other disciplines, approved by the director.
| Plan A: A minimum of 31 credits must be
earned, including a one-credit Master’s Literature Review. |
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| Required Courses | |
| Fundamentals of Pharmacology (PHARM 1000) * | 2 credits |
| Mammalian Physiology I & II (PHYS 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Pharmacology I & II (PHARM 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Master’s Literature Review (PHARM 9750) | 1 credit |
| Pharmacology Electives |
4 credits |
| TOTAL |
31 credits |
| * Students with prior training in pharmacology
may substitute elective credits for PHARM 1000.
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| Plan B: A minimum of 30 credits must be
earned, including a one-credit Master’s thesis. |
|
| Core Courses | |
| Mammalian Physiology I & II (PHYS-1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Pharmacology I & II (PHARM 1010,1020) | 8 credits |
| Master’s Thesis Research (PHARM 9800) | 1 credit |
| Master’s Thesis (PHARM 9850) | Up to 5 credits |
| Pharmacology Electives |
0-5 credits |
| TOTAL | 30 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0409)
A minimum of 45 course credits and 15 dissertation research credits must be earned. A minimum grade of B must be earned in each pharmacology course in order for it to be applied to the degree requirements. Elective credits must be in advanced didactic courses in pharmacology or, if in other disciplines, approved by the program director. Journal Club (PHARM 8010) and Laboratory Demonstrations (PHARM 8300) must be taken each semester and each year, respectively, that the student is in residence, except for the year before graduation. These credits do not, however, count toward fulfillment of the 45-credit program requirement.
| Required Core Courses | |
| Mammalian Physiology I & II (PHYS 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| General Biochemistry I & II (BIOC 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Pharmacology I & II (PHARM 1010, 1020) | 8 credits |
| Other Required Courses | |
| Survey of Research Techniques (PHARM 9110) | 6 credits |
| Statistics for Basic Medical Sciences (BMS 1200) | 2 credits |
| Journal Club (PHARM 8010) | 0 credits |
| Laboratory Demonstrations (PHARM 8300) | 0 credits |
| Electives | 13 credits |
| Subtotal, course credits | 45 credits |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research (PHARM 9900) | 15 credits |
| TOTAL | 60 credits |
M.D./Ph.D. Program
M.D./Ph.D. students must take twelve credits of advanced didactic electives, including at least six credits in pharmacology courses, and fulfill all other requirements expected of Ph.D. students, including the Qualifying Examination and at least two research rotations (PHARM 9110).
Qualifying Examination
After completion of the required core courses, the student must appear before the Pharmacology Faculty for a Qualifying Examination, which has both written and oral components. This usually occurs at the end of the second year. Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, the student chooses a research advisor in order to develop a research proposal that will lead to a successful thesis and thesis defense.
Candidacy
The student is eligible to enter doctoral candidacy after successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, the accumulation of at least 30 didactic credits including all the required courses, and the recommendation of the program faculty. M.D./Ph.D. students are eligible for candidacy under the same conditions except that the credit requirement consists only of the required graduate courses.
Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee must include at least five members of the graduate faculty, including one from another graduate program. The research sponsor serves as the chair of this committee. A scientist from outside the institution may be included on the committee.
Course Descriptions
| PHARM 1000 Fundamentals of Pharmacology | ||
| (Previously offered as 500.2) | ||
| This course introduces the underlying
principles of pharmacology and provides a perspective of the historical,
regulatory (FDA) and industrial aspects of pharmacological science. This
includes overviews of the physiological, biochemical, and anatomical
foundations for the interaction of drugs and chemicals with biological
systems. This course is intended to orient new graduate students to the
general scope of pharmacologic science. Lectures: 4 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| PHARM 1010, 1020 Pharmacology | (8 credits) | Dr. Stier |
| PHARM 1010 Part I | (4 credits) | (Fall) |
| PHARM 1020 Part II | (4 credits) | (Spring) |
| (Previously offered as 521A.4, 521B.4) | ||
| This basic course in pharmacology introduces
the student to concepts of the interactions of chemical agents with living
tissues. The teaching of pharmacological principles and mechanisms is
emphasized, but toxicology and therapeutics are also part of the program.
Lectures: 4 hrs/wk. Letter-graded.
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| PHARM 1410 Pharmacology | (8 credits) | Dr. Powers and Staff (Spring) |
| (Previously offered as 541.8) | ||
| This basic course in pharmacology is taken with
the sophomore medical student class, introducing the student to the basic
concepts of the interactions of chemical agents with living tissues.
Demonstrations performed by the graduate students are presented to
illustrate basic pharmacological principles and exemplify the therapeutic
and toxic actions of important drugs and poisons. The teaching of basic
pharmacology is emphasized, but toxicology and therapeutics are also part of
the course. Letter-graded. Open to Ph.D. students only.
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| PHARM 2010 Drug Metabolism and Disposition | (2 credits) | Dr. Abraham |
| (Previously offered as 563.2) | ||
| The course teaches the basic principles of drug
absorption, metabolism and pharmacodynamics, drug-drug interaction, and drug
interactions with diet, including fat, carbohydrates, and proteins. These
factors are important in drug disposition in the organs involved in
biotransformation and metabolism. The emphasis will be on methodology,
bioavailability, and other aspects of modern clinical and biotechnological
pharmacology, such as drug-targeting in genetic disease (including sense and
antisense drugs), methods of DNA drug delivery for altering protein and
growth factor expression, and effects on drug action. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2030 Biochemical Pharmacology | (2 credits) | Dr. Balazy |
| (Previously offered as 572.2) | ||
| The cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug
actions with emphasis on gene-based approaches will be studied. Biochemical
laboratory techniques used in pharmacological research will be introduced.
Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or
co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2110 Selected Topics in Neuropharmacology | (2 credits) | Dr. Powers |
| (Previously offered as 545.2) | ||
| This course surveys selected areas of research
areas of particular interest to modern neuropharmacology. This includes
lectures on areas of basic neurobiology that underlie the actions of
important pharmacological agents, or which relate to current efforts to
develop novel therapeutic agents. Also includes are lectures covering the
pharmacology of selected CNS-active agents which are of intense current
interest to the medical community and general public; and lectures covering
the pathophysiology of specific neurological or psychiatric disorders and
the therapeutic actions and side effects of drugs used in treatment of these
disorders. The course consists of a series of lectures on the subject matter
selected; with appropriate reading assignments prepared by each lecturer
relevant to the topic. Student performance is evaluated by two exams each
covering half of the course and given equal weight. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk.
Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2210 Pharmacology of Autacoids | (2 credits) | Drs. Quilley and Nasjletti |
| (Previously offered as 567.2) | ||
| This is a detailed analysis of the
pharmacologic effects of naturally occurring autocrine and paracrine
hormones (autacoids) including histamine, serotonin, angiotensin, kinins,
substance P, growth factors, cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes.
Questions to be addressed include the role of autacoids in basic physiology
and their value as drugs or targets of drug action in various disease
states. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or
co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2310 Endocrine Pharmacology | (2 credits) | Dr. Powers |
| (Previously offered as 555.2) | ||
| This course is concerned with the basic
principles in the use of hormones as drugs. Lecture topics include
neuroendocrinology, anterior and posterior pituitary hormones, thyroid
diseases, treatment of diabetes, adrenal steroids, and reproductive
hormones. Areas of research such as neuroendocrine peptides are also
discussed. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre-
or co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2410 Cardiovascular Pharmacology-Drug Development | (2 credits) | Drs. Stier and Cervoni |
| (Previously offered as 562.2) | ||
| This course is a detailed presentation of the
latest concepts concerning the mechanism of action of cardiovascular drugs.
There is special consideration of new uses of established drugs, and recent
additions to the therapeutic armamentarium. The course will survey the
present status (especially theories of mechanism of action) of agents used
in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including angina pectoris,
congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and lipid abnormalities.
Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or
co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2510 Toxicology | (2 credits) | Dr. Conaway |
| (Previously offered as 566.2) | ||
| This general survey is approached from the
biomedical viewpoint, but covers the broad field of toxicology, including
acute and chronic toxicity, toxicokinetics, reproductive toxicology,
teratogenicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Specific topics include
drugs, metals, solvents, food additives, pesticides and herbicides,
environmental pollution, radioactive chemicals, industrial exposure and
forensic toxicology. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020
is a pre- or co-requisite.
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| PHARM 2610 Genetic Pharmacology | (2 credits) | Dr. Abraham |
| (Previously offered as 568.2) | ||
| Introduction to the genetic basis of
pharmacology and past, current and future gene therapy. Pharmacologic
approaches to genetic manipulation in humans include somatic gene therapy,
germline gene therapy, enhancement of gene engineering, and eugenic genetic
engineering. The following topics will be covered: (1) non-viral gene
transfer approaches: high-voltage electric fields, receptor-mediated gene
transfer, microinjection of DNA, and the limitations of non-viral gene
transfer; (2) viral gene transfer for human therapy; (3) functional genomics
in genetic pharmacology and the application of ribozyme technology in the
control of deleterious gene repression in the cardiovascular system; and (4)
important examples of the use of gene therapy in cyctic fibrosis,
angiogenesis and diabetes, hypertension, ischemia, breast cancer, and
leukemia. Lectures: 2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. PHARM-1010 or 1020 is a pre- or
co-requisite.
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| PHARM 7010 Directed Readings in Pharmacology | (1-2 credits) | Dr. Stier |
| (Previously offered as 546.x.1-2) | ||
| This course is intended for advanced-level
pharmacology Master’s students who wish to explore, in depth, a particular
area of pharmacology. Under the guidance of a faculty member, students read
the scientific literature in a field. Topics include: biochemical
pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, endocrine pharmacology,
immunological pharmacology, molecular pharmacology, neural pharmacology,
renal pharmacology, toxicology and more customized topics. Grades are based
on examinations and written and oral reports. Independent study.
Conferences: 1-2 hrs/wk. Letter-graded. This course may be taken multiple
times with a different topic each time.
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| PHARM 8010 Journal Club | (1 credit) | Dr. Wang (Fall and Spring) |
| (Previously offered as 591.1) | ||
| Students attend and participate in seminars
given by graduate students, research staff or faculty. Each semester the
student will present a seminar to the entire department. Seminar: 1hr/wk.
Pass/Fail.
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| PHARM 8300 Laboratory Demonstrations | (1 credit) | Dr. Powers |
| (Previously offered as 551.1) | ||
| Pharmacology graduate students will be
responsible for demonstrating experiments in the medical pharmacology course
as assigned by a teaching staff member. Internship: hours to be arranged.
Pass/Fail.
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| PHARM 9110 Survey of Research Techniques in Pharmacology | (3 credits) | Dr. Schwartzman (Fall and Spring) |
| (Previously offered as 570.3) | ||
| This course is intended to acquaint new
graduate students in pharmacology with the research being carried out by
departmental faculty. Students will rotate through the laboratories on an
arranged schedule, observing and participating in research activities.
Research. Hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail. Open to Ph.D. students only, who
must take this course twice.
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| PHARM 9610 Practical Pharmacology (In Vitro Preparations) | (2 credits) | Dr. Quilley |
| (Previously offered as 569.2) | ||
| Experiments will be performed on standard
pharmacological in vitro preparation to demonstrate the principles of
competitive and non-competitive antagonism, drug efficacy and the derivation
of a pA2, the mechanisms of drug action of the neuromuscular
junction, the bioassay of unknown compounds and the elucidation of mediators
released during anaphylaxis. Laboratory. Hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail.
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| PHARM 9620 Special Laboratory Procedures | (1-3 credits) | Staff |
| (Previously offered as 571.1-3) | ||
| Advanced techniques and instrumentation in
pharmacological research will be covered. These include methods used in
current research by the staff in the fields of cardiovascular, biochemical,
autonomic and reproductive pharmacology as well as neuropharmacology and
psychopharmacology. Laboratory. Hours to be arranged. Pass/Fail.
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| PHARM 9750 Master’s Literature Review | (1 credit) | Dr. Stier |
| (Previously offered as 590.1) | ||
| The student conducts a thorough library search
and writes a scholarly report on an advanced topic in pharmacology under the
guidance of a faculty advisor. Pass/Fail. Independent study. Required for
M.S. degree, Plan A.
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| PHARM 9800 Master’s Thesis Research | (1-5 credits) | Dr. Stier |
| (Previously offered as 598.1-5) | ||
| Original research in the laboratory of a
faculty sponsor applied towards fulfillment of Plan B M.S. program
requirements. Thesis research. Pass/Fail. May be taken multiple times for
1-5 credits per term, but only five credits may be counted towards program
requirements.
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| PHARM 9850 Master’s Thesis | (1 credit) | Dr. Stier |
| (Previously offered as 595.1) | ||
| The candidate must write a scholarly thesis
describing his/her original laboratory research. The thesis must be approved
by a faculty committee and defended by the student. Independent study.
Pass/Fail. Required for M.S. degree, Plan B.
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| PHARM 9900 Doctoral Dissertation Research | Dr. Nasjletti | |
| (Previously offered as 599.1-15) | ||
| Research is conducted in a selected field under the guidance of the staff member acting as the student’s advisor. The emphasis will be on originality, creativity, and contribution to the field. Thesis research. Pass/Fail. May be taken multiple times for an overall total of 15 credits. | ||
Graduate Faculty and Research Interests
Nader G. Abraham, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology, Director of Gene Therapy Program
B.S. 1965, Alexandria University (Egypt); Ph.D. 1976, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Research/Interests - Gene transfer and gene therapy in the cardiovascular system and CD34+ cells.
Michael Balazy, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Ph.D. 1984, Jagiellonian University (Poland)
Research/Interests - Biomedical mass spectrometry.
Mairead A. Carroll, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
B.Sc., Manchester Polytechnic, England; M.Sc., Chelsea College, University of London, England; Ph.D., King's College, University of London, England
Research/Interests - Renal cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid.
C. Clifford Conaway, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Research Fellow, American Health Foundation
B.A., Southwestern College; M.S., 1969, University of Missouri-Columbia; Ph.D., 1974, University of Wisconsin
Research/Interests - Mechanisms of cancer chemoprevention, metabolism pharmacokinetics.
Nicholas R. Ferreri, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Ph.D. 1984, New York Medical College
Research/Interests - Cytokine production and function in the kidney and vascular smooth muscle..
Michael S. Goligorsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Pharmacology
Director, Renal Institute
Research/Interests -
Mario A. Inchiosa, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
B.S. 1950, M.S. 1953, Rutger's University; Ph.D. 1956, University of Illinois
Research/Interests - Biochemical pharmacology of muscle.
John C. McGiff, M.D.
Professor and Chairman of Pharmacology
B.S. 1947, Georgetown University; M.D. 1951, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
Alberto Nasjletti, M.D.
Professor and Graduate Program Co-director (Ph.D. Program)
M.D. 1965, National University of Cuyo (Argentina)
Research/Interests - Hormonal mediators of blood pressure regulation.
C. Andrew Powers, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
B.S. 1975, Eckerd College; Ph.D. 1980, University of Kansas
Research/Interests - Endocrine pharmacology, molecular endocrinology, neuroendocrinology.
Michal L. Schwartzman, Ph.D.
Professor and Graduate Program Co-director (Ph.D. Program)
B.S. 1973; M.S. 1975, Ph.D. 1981, Tel-Aviv University (Israel)
Research/Interests - Molecular regulation of eicosanoids biosynthesis in inflammation and hypertension.
Carolyn J. Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of of Pharmacology
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Ph.D. 1985, University of Connecticut
Research/Interests - Mechanisms of altered hormone-dependent activation/expression of cardiovascular cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases during heart failure, vascular injury and diabetes.
Charles T. Stier, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director (M.S. Program)
B.S. 1973, State University of New York at Stony Brook; Ph.D. 1978, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Research/Interests - Pharmacological protection against vascular damage and stroke.
Wenhui Wang, M.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
M.D. 1983, University of Innsbruck (Austria)
Research/Interests - Regulation of renal electrolyte transport.