Note: The Master of Science in Pharmacy Program will not be admitting students for the academic year 2021-2022. Please access the following link for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program. Applications for admission to the PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program will be received for the 2021-2022 academic year:
https://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/farmacia/phd-pharmaceutical-sciences/
Graduate Program
The School of Pharmacy Graduate Program was approved in 1986 by the Council on Higher Education. The first class was admitted in academic year 1987-1988. A Master of Science in Pharmacy degree is offered with two options of study: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Industrial Pharmacy. Classes for both options usually convene during evening hours, thus making it possible for persons already employed to obtain an advance degree. Both options require 40 trimester credit-hours for graduation, including original research work presented as the student’s thesis.
The main goal of the graduate program is to provide advanced training in industrial pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Within the context of this general goal, the specific program objectives are to:
- Offer an opportunity for individuals to advance their knowledge in specific
areas of industrial pharmacy. - Prepare individuals for research and teaching positions needing a strong
background in the pharmaceutical sciences. - Develop individuals with the research skills needed to carry out basic and
applied studies. - Address the pharmaceutical needs of Puerto Rico.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Pharmaceutical Sciences option offers courses in Medicinal Chemistry, Instrumental Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacognosy and Natural Products, Physical Pharmacy and Biological Chemistry. An additional 10 trimester credits are dedicated to elective courses. Furthermore, the student through her-his research project may have access to methods of identification and purification using advance instrumental techniques such as: gas chromatography, HPLC; NMR; gas chromatography- mass spectrometry and other hyphenated methods of analysis. The student’s research project integrates the scientific principles taught in the theoretical courses, leading to an original scientific contribution to the area of pharmaceutical sciences, published as a thesis work. Many of the student’s research projects are subsequently submitted to leading scientific journals. The knowledge and experience obtained will enable the graduate student to perform successfully in the pharmaceutical industry, research laboratories and other related areas. Alternatively, the graduate student will be prepared to pursue a Ph.D. degree.
Industrial Pharmacy
The Industrial Pharmacy option is geared towards understanding the scientific principles involved in techniques employed in the pharmaceutical industry. To accomplish this goal, the program offers courses in Advanced Physical Pharmacy, Biopharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Unit Operations, Pharmaceutical Quality Control, Instrumental Pharmaceutical Analysis (I, II) and Pharmaceutical Technology. An additional four (4) trimester credits are dedicated to electives. The student’s research project integrates the scientific principles taught in the theoretical courses, thus leading to an original scientific contribution to the area of pharmaceutics, published as a thesis work. Many of the student research projects are subsequently submitted to leading scientific journals. The graduate is qualified to assume responsibilities in numerous areas that encompass the pharmaceutical industry, or pursue a Ph.D. degree.
Graduation Requirements
The student must satisfy all the requirements as detailed by the School of Pharmacy Norms and Procedures for the Master of Science. The minimum requirements include:
- Completion of 40 trimester credit hours, within five consecutive years. A maximum of six credits, if deemed acceptable by the Graduate Committee, may be transferred from another accredited institution.
- Satisfactory of all required courses. An overall grade point
average of at least 3.00. - Submission of an original research project and defense of a thesis.
- Demonstrate adequate knowledge in the specialty area by successfully passing an oral examination.
- Submission of bound copies of the thesis in its final form.
- Guidelines For The Academic Graduate Program Leading Towards The Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy