Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

photo of a student in a lab

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers students a variety of educational opportunities, including Master of Science degree programs, specialized graduate-level certifications, and the ability to carry out doctoral level research.

Our department faculty is exceptionally diverse, in educational and cultural backgrounds, which provides our students with unique educational possibilities. Our innovative programs provide a comprehensive introduction to the broad range of theoretical concepts that comprise pharmacology and toxicology, including both historical context and state-of-the-art technical approaches to solving pharmacological and toxicological problems. The goal of providing students with a career-oriented yet theoretically based education will be accomplished within the core curriculum through the combination of text and literature-based lectures, department-sponsored seminars, and in-depth dialogue between students and faculty. These activities promote critical thinking and is based on asking and answering questions in the classroom, laboratory, and clinic. Our programs also provide students with the opportunities to carry out ground-breaking research using a variety of systems and approaches ranging from molecules to animal and human studies. Our students are recruited from universities worldwide, as well as military, medical, and industrial sectors.  

 

WHAT IS PHARMACOLOGY?

Learn more about pharmacology from the ASPET: What is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology is the study of the therapeutic value and/or potential toxicity of chemical agents on biological systems. It targets every aspect of the mechanisms for the chemical actions of both traditional and novel therapeutic agents. The Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics provides more information about becoming a pharmacologist.

 

WHAT IS TOXICOLOGY?

Toxicology is the study of the adverse or toxic effects of drugs and other chemical agents. It is concerned both with drugs used in the treatment of disease and chemicals that may present household, environmental, or industrial hazards. The Society of Toxicology (SOT) provides more information about this exciting field.


Pharmacology & Toxicology Programs

 

Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology

To attain their Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology, students may choose from one of our three specialized Programs of Study. These programs are designed to prepare students for careers in industry, government, education, medicine, and research organizations or for further professional training.  To encourage and promote success in our students, our Master of Science programs are Cohort Programs. For more information about each program, please review the links below:

•           RESEARCH-BASED (THESIS) TRACK

•           LEADER/ADMINISTRATION TRACK

•           CLINICAL TRIALS COORDINATION CONCENTRATION

 

Our program uniquely offers a dual-degree program available only to medical students in conjunction with their School of Medicine curriculum. Please review the link below for more information:

•           CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (MD/MS) CONCENTRATION

 

If you are interested in applying to the Master’s program, we recommend reviewing our Additional Application Information page first before completing your application.

 

•          ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION

 

Eligibility Requirements for Master of Science Degree Programs:

Applicants must fulfill the requirements for admission established by the Graduate School. A baccalaureate degree in physical, chemical, or life sciences with undergraduate level courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology is generally required. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. A personal goals statement and three letters of recommendation are required.

For international students, admission will based on the application requirements (statement of purpose, grade point average (GPA), degree preparation, letters of recommendation), and adherence to UCIE's (University Center for International Education) requirements. This includes a minimum of: 79/120 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.), a 6 or higher through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a score of 57 or higher on the Pearson PTE, or a score of 120 or higher on Duolingo.

Students pursuing the dual-degree option (MD/MS) must be enrolled in the MD program at the Boonshoft School of Medicine and have successfully completed the first year of the MD curriculum.

Students may be eligible to take courses prior to admission although such cases are exceptions to our general policy of admitting students for full-time graduate studies and research training. Students may apply up to 12 credits earned towards the Master of Science degree upon admission. However, taking courses does not guarantee admission to the program. Interested students should check with the Graduate School for information on an undeclared major.


Certificate Programs

As an excellent addition to any current science related master’s degree, our department offers the following master’s level certificate programs. For more information regarding our certificate programs, please review the links below:

 


Ph.D. Degree Programs

Our faculty members participate in the following doctoral degree programs offered at Wright State University:


Undergraduate Research Opportunities and Courses

Our department offers qualified undergraduates research experience in the fields of pharmacology and toxicology. Please contact the specific faculty member to express your interest in their research program.


For application information, see:

 

For information on costs, see:

 

For available Pharmacology and Toxicology courses, see:


Administration

Responsibility for program administration lies within the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Boonshoft School of Medicine. Students requiring additional information or have questions regarding transfers may contact the department with any questions. If students have research specific questions, please contact the specific faculty member.

Terry Oroszi, M.S., Ed.D.,
Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Pharmacology & Toxicology
Director, MS Graduate Program, P&T, BSOM
Director, CBRN Defense Certificate Program
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
217 Health Sciences Bldg
(937) 775-4832
pharmtox@wright.edu

 

Catherine Winslow, B.S.
Assistant to the Chair, Assistant Director, MS Graduate Program
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
207 Health Sciences Bldg
(937)775-2463
catherine.winslow@wright.edu

Last edited on 02/16/2024.