Pharmacology and Toxicology: Pharmacology MSc; Field: Applied Clinical Pharmacology

Program Description

In the MSc program, students are expected to undertake self-directed study and demonstrate proficiency in pharmacological principles throughout the course of the program. They are able to engage in one of two formats of study: 1) thesis-based study or 2) course-based study in the field of Applied Clinical Pharmacology (ACP).

In the course-based Applied Clinical Pharmacology (ACP) field, students will engage in research and hands-on training in academic, commercial, health care, and/or government settings. Courses will feature a breadth of fundamental and applied pharmacology topics with emphasis on translational research.

The course-based ACP field does not have a part-time option.

MSc Program: Applied Clinical Pharmacology Field (Course-Based Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a final-year average of at least a B+.

  • Applicants are normally required to have taken courses in physiology and biochemistry, or applied sciences sufficient to form a foundation for their work in pharmacology.

Program Requirements

Coursework. Students must complete 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). The curriculum is designed in an integrated fashion such that each subsequent course reinforces and builds upon prior knowledge. Students are expected to complete the required courses in Year 1. Elective courses may be taken in either year with practicum opportunities offered following successful completion of the required courses.

  • Year 1 required courses (6.0 FCEs); these courses are spread throughout the first 12 months of the program:

    • PCL1400H Systems Pharmacology I

    • PCL1500H Systems Pharmacology II

    • PCL1002Y Graduate Pharmacology

    • PCL1004Y Clinical Pharmacology

    • PCL1100H0 Applied Skills in Clinical Pharmacology

    • PCL1101H0 Technology, Techniques, and Translation in Pharmacology and Toxicology

    • PCL1402H Pharmacology and Toxicology in Drug Development

    • PCL1491H Clinical Pharmacology: Principles in Practice

    • PCL2200Y0 Major Research Project

Plus

  • Elective courses (2.0 FCEs). Elective coursework is selected through consultation with the program director with the intention to allow individual students to tailor their degree towards their interests and career goals. Popular elective courses include:

    • PCL1300H Selected Topics in Clinical Pharmacology (Credit/No Credit)

    • PCL2100Y0 Practicum in Clinical Pharmacology (Credit/No Credit; 2.0 FCEs)

    • PCL2101Y0 Practicum in Clinical Pharmacology I (Credit/No Credit)

    • PCL2102Y0 Practicum in Clinical Pharmacology II (Credit/No Credit)

    • PCL2201Y0 Research Project Extended Study (Credit/No Credit)

    • APS1001H Project Management

    • CHL5201H Biostatistics I

    • JNP1014Y Interdisciplinary Toxicology

    • JPM1005Y Behavioural Pharmacology

    • RSM2017H Pharmaceutical Strategy

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed, or credit is given when the course is completed.

 

MSc Program: Applied Clinical Pharmacology Field (Course-Based, Advanced-Standing Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology’s additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a final-year average of at least a B+.

  • Applicants are normally required to have taken courses in physiology and biochemistry, or applied sciences sufficient to form a foundation for their work in pharmacology.

  • At the discretion of the program director, applicants who demonstrate pharmacology knowledge that significantly overlaps with the Applied Clinical Pharmacology curriculum may be considered for advanced standing with either:

    • a bachelor’s degree specializing in pharmacology or biomedical toxicology or

    • MD degree (undergraduate medical education) with coursework in pharmacology.

Program Requirements

Coursework. Students must complete at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • PCL1002Y Graduate Pharmacology (1.0 FCE)

  • PCL1004Y Clinical Pharmacology (1.0 FCE)

  • PCL1100H0 Applied Skills in Clinical Pharmacology (0.5 FCE)

  • PCL2200Y0 Major Research Project (1.0 FCE), starting in the Fall of Year 1.

  • At least one half-course elective (0.5 FCE) chosen from the following list, and upon recommendation and approval by the program director:

    • PCL1101H0 Technology, Techniques, and Translation in Pharmacology and Toxicology

    • PCL1300H Selected Topics in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (Credit/No Credit)

    • CHL5201H Biostatistics I (exclusion: LMP1407H)

    • JNP1014Y Interdisciplinary Toxicology

    • JPM1005Y Behavioural Pharmacology

  • Note: students participating in this advanced-standing option are not eligible to enrol in a practicum course.

Program Length

3 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.