Pharmaceutics

These courses provide an opportunity for students to work with individual faculty mentors on research projects of variable scope that are intended to lead to a publication, an abstract or poster. All special projects/research require the approval of the appropriate department chair and Dean.

These courses provide an opportunity for students to work with individual faculty mentors on research projects of variable scope that are intended to lead to a publication, an abstract or poster. All special projects/research require the approval of the appropriate department chair and Dean.

This elective course provides an in-depth review of neuropharmacology of substances of abuse including stimulants, depressants and inhalants, ethanol, opioids, hallucinogens, marijuana, anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. In addition, an overview of drug use, drug use as a social problem, drug products and their regulations, the nervous system, the mechanism of action of drugs, preventing substance abuse and substance abuse and dependence will also be covered.

The use of forensic toxicology in the battle against the increased abuse of licit and illicit drugs is an important field of study. This course will introduce the main areas of forensic sciences and especially the involvement of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in discovering and preventing the abuse of drugs.

The course will provide an overview to the FDA regulatory processes regarding the evaluation and development of drug, biologics and device products. Through interactive lecture format, course work and discussions, participants of this course gain the basic understanding, and become familiar with the current principles of regulatory affairs. Topics include the historical development of U.S. drug laws, overview of drug, biologics, and device development process and the FDA, pharmaceutical industry-FDA functions and interactions through approval and monitoring processes, policy-guided science, and some examples of the development of U.S. drug/device laws, shaping history, leading into the present state of regulation.

This course is an introduction into clinical toxicology and the effects of natural products and chemicals on the human body. This course emphasizes the chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of specific chemicals and classes of compounds. Students will be presented with the mechanisms and then invited to present case studies and discuss the clinical features of management and prognosis.

This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge of research in basic cardiovascular sciences. The novel experimental pre-clinical/translational concepts related to cardiac and vascular pathophysiology and potential drug target(s), along with proposed mechanism of action, if applicable, are covered. The course focuses on analysis of complex pathologic mechanism(s), including dysregulated signaling, inflammation, oxidative stress and myocardial remodeling, underlying arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and heart failure, as well as evaluation of new/promising pharmacological intervention(s). The format of the course includes lectures and active participation in research article-based discussions, to produce student-developed evaluation and conclusions, in combined format of oral presentation and written summary of each discussed/presented topic information.

Winter Quarter Only. This 5 week course will introduce students to concepts in teaching and learning through discussion and hands on teaching experiences. Students will learn to teach in a laboratory setting in a small group environment. Weekly self-reflection activities will help students focus on their strengths, weaknesses, and development as an educator over the course of the quarter.

Fall Quarter only. This 10 week course will introduce students to concepts in teaching and learning through discussion and hands on teaching experiences. Students will learn to teach in a laboratory setting in a small group environment. Weekly self-reflection activities will help students focus on their strengths, weaknesses, and development as an educator over the course of the quarter.

Pharmaceutical Calculations focuses on the pharmaceutical and clinical calculations that are critical to the safe and effective delivery of medications. Pharmacists must calculate patient-specific doses and prepare extemporaneously compounded prescriptions with a high degree of accuracy. The Pharmaceutical Calculations course prepares students to use these calculations in pharmacy practice. The course covers calculations performed by pharmacists for compounding and dispensing of medications in a variety of practice settings. Such calculations involve applications of concepts from arithmetic and algebra.

This course is designed to impart an understanding of the types and characteristics of pharmaceutical dosage forms, and the physico-chemical principles involved in design, development, formulation, preparation, and dispensing of non-sterile dosage forms.

This laboratory-based course covers the fundamental concepts related to the preparation of extemporaneously compounded non-sterile dosage forms including powders, capsules, suppositories, ointments, solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Students will gain competency in the preparation of extemporaneously compounded dosage forms through review of pharmacy calculations, application of pharmaceutical sciences concepts, development and implementation of compounding protocols, and application of legal and professional requirements for the labeling and documentation of compounded products.

This course covers the fundamental concepts related to the formulation, manufacture, quality assurance, and clinical preparation and administration of sterile products. Topics will include formulation and compatibility considerations, sterility assurance and aseptic technique including a review of USP Chapter [797], packaging, compounding methods and calculations, therapeutic issues, and advances in parenteral technologies. Laboratory sessions will focus on aseptic technique and familiarization with equipment used to prepare and administer parenteral medications.

This course introduces pharmacy students to the principles of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics by exploring the relationships between physiology, mathematics, and pharmacokinetic theory and their clinical application. Students will learn how to calculate and interpret pharmacokinetic parameters; discuss and explain pharmacokinetic principles; assess factors that affect drug disposition; design and adjust drug dosage regimens; and predict and explain mechanisms involved in drug interactions.