Coursework BPS PhD
Coursework Heading link
A minimum of 96 credit hours of graduate study are required beyond the
baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent). BPS Ph.D. students are expected to complete
a minimum of 8 credits in BPS 595. In addition, 22 credit hours of general electives
must be completed, generally 10 credit hours will be credited from research experience
(BPS 593) or rotation (BPS 539) and 12 credit hours are electives at the graduate level.
The general elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the academic
advisor. A minimum of 20 hours of didactic coursework at UIC must be at the 500 level
or above. The research advisor may require that a student complete courses beyond
the minimum requirements listed in this document to strengthen knowledge in areas
relevant to their training.
Courses Heading link
Required Courses
501 Biopharmaceutical Sciences I. 4 hours
First part of the fundamental didactic core courses in biopharmaceutical sciences including fundamental principles of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, scientific ethics and research design. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.
502 Biopharmaceutical Sciences II. 4 hours
Second part of fundamental didactic core courses in biopharmaceutical sciences; fundamental principles of cell and molecular biology and pharmacogenomics, pharmacodynamics including toxicology, research communication and regulatory processes. Prerequisite(s): BPS 501; and graduate standing in the biopharmaceutical sciences program; or approval of the department. 4 cr hrs
506 Industrial Experience. 4-10 hours.
Recommended to graduate students with no industrial experience. Students spend time working in the pharmaceutical, imaging or cosmetic industry under academic supervision to obtain practical experience. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. 4-10 cr hrs
507 Drug Discovery, Design and Development. 3 hours.
Overview of drug development process from target identification and screening through clinical trials and FDA evaluation. Same as MDCH 507 and PMPG 507.
508 Concepts in Drug Development: From Bench to Bedside. 3 hours.
Designed to give clinicians an overview of the drug development process from bench to bedside. Emphasis will be placed on the regulatory aspects of drug development including clinical trials, FDA approval and post marketing surveillance. Offered online only. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
510 Principles of Interfacial Phenomena. 3 hours.
Quantitative and theoretical principles of physical and chemical sciences as applied to pharmacy. Thermodynamics, kinetics, colloid and surface chemistry in evaluation of pharmaceutical formulations.Prerequisite(s): MATH 480.
515 Dissolution and Bioavailability of Dosage Forms. 2 hours.
Theories and testing of the release of drug from solid dosage forms including the effect of dissolution rate on bioavailability. Prerequisite(s): PHAR 323; and approval of the department.
518 Controlled Drug Delivery. 3 hours.
Controlled drug delivery systems utilizing polymers, synthesis of different types of devices, and the delivery expected from these devices, and mathematical modeling of delivery systems. Same as BIOE 518.Prerequisite(s): MATH 220 or approval of the department.
519 Percutaneous Drug Delivery. 2 hours.
Modern methods of drug delivery covering the use of enhancers, prodrugs, iontophoresis and ultrasound are presented. Toxicity testing, regulatory issues for successful marketing and production issues. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
520 Lipid Based Drug Delivery Systems. 2 hours.
The preparation, characterization, stability, pharmaceutical cosmetic and diagnostic applications of lipid based drug delivery systems including liposomes, micelles and emulsions prepared with phospholipids. Prerequisite(s): PHAR 323; and approval of the department.
522 Principles of Polymeric Science and Engineering. 3 hours
Intermediate polymer science, thermodynamics of polymer solutions, phase separations, MW determination, crystallization, elasticity, kinetics and processing. Same as BIOE 522. Prerequisite(s): MATH 220 or consent of the instructor.
539 Biopharmaceutical Sciences Research Rotation. 3 hours.
Research rotation course in which first year students from the BPS program will undertake projects in laboratories affiliated with this program. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours. Animals used in instruction.Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
542 Pharmacodynamics of Substance Abuse. 2 hours.
Considers the mechanisms of action, responses, pharmacokinetics and dependence factors of substance abuse. Emphasis will be placed on research strategies in studying the biological aspects of drug abuse. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor and a course in basic pharmacology.
545 Advanced Pharmacokinetics. 3 hours.
Kinetics of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs factors affecting these kinetics and their relationship to pharmacodynamics. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. 3 cr hrs
553 Cancer Biology and Therapeutics. 2 hours.
Fundamentals of cancer biology with emphasis on biological, hormonal and chemotherapeutic drug therapies currently used and in development. Specific treatment approaches to breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancers will be explored. Same as MDCH 553 and PMPG 553. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Molecular and Cellular Biology. 2 cr hrs
555 Principles of Pharmacogenomics. 2 hours.
Concept and application of pharmacogenomics in disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Prerequisite(s): BPS 502 or consent of the instructor.
593 Research in Biopharmaceutical Sciences. 0-16 hours.
Research in biopharmaceutical sciences with the guidance of a faculty mentor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department.
594 Special Topics in Biopharmaceutical Sciences. 1-4 hours.
Content varies. Special topics in biopharmaceutical sciences not covered in regular core or elective offerings. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
595 Departmental Seminar. 1-2 hours.
Weekly seminar series on research and experimental techniques in biopharmaceutical sciences. Also consists of journal club at which students will present an article once a year. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Weekly seminar and journal club meet separately from one another. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department.
599 Dissertation Research. 0-16 hours.
Ph.D. thesis research. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated.Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
Elective Courses
BPS 510. Principles of Interfacial Phenomena. 3 cr hrs
BPS 515. Dissolution and Bioavailability of Dosage Forms. 2 cr hrs
BPS 518. Controlled Drug Delivery. 3 cr hrs
BPS 519. Percutaneous Drug Delivery. 2 cr hrs
BPS 520. Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems. 2 cr hrs
BPS 522. Principles of Polymer Science and Engineering. 3 cr hrs
BPS 542. Pharmacodynamics of Substance Abuse. 2 cr hrs
BPS 553. Cancer Biology and Therapeutics. 2 cr hrs
BPS 555. Pharmacogenomics and Toxicology. 3 cr hrs
BCMG 502. Somatic Cell and Human Genetics. 4 cr hrs
BCMG 514. Structure and Function of Nucleic Acids. 4 cr hrs
BCMG 561. Biochemistry of Cellular Regulation. 3 cr hrs
BCMG 563. Principles of Molecular Medicine. 3 cr hrs
BIOE 430. Bioinstrumentation and Measurements I. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 431. Bioinstrumentation and Measurement Laboratory. 2 cr hrs
BIOE 432. Bioinstrumentation and Measurements II. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 433. Bioinstrumentation and Measurements II Laboratory. 1 cr hrs
BIOE 440. Biological Signal Analysis. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 450. Molecular Biophysics of the Cell. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 455. Introduction to Cell and Tissue Engineering. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 456. Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory. 2 cr hrs
BIOE 460. Materials in Bioengineering. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 480. Introduction to Bioinformatics. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 481. Bioinformatics Laboratory. 2 cr hrs
BIOE 482. Introduction to Optimization Methods in Bioinformatics. 3-4 cr hrs
BIOE 500. Interfacial Biosystems Engineering. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 514. Biotransport. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 525. Physiological and Cellular Effects of Biomechanical Forces. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 548. Micro and Nanotechnology for Biomedical Applications. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 550. Principles of Cell and Tissue Engineering. 4 cr hrs
BIOE 580. Principles of Bioinformatics. 4 cr hrs
BIOS 424. Mammalian Histology. 4 cr hrs
BIOS 429. Laboratory in Electron Microscopy. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 443. Animal Physiological Systems. 4 cr hrs
BIOS 489. Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 524. Molecular Biology Principles. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 525. Principles and Methods in Cell Biology. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 526. Molecular and Genetic Analysis of Development. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 527. Cellular and Systems Neurobiology. 3 cr hrs
BIOS 582. Methods in Modern Neuroscience. 2 cr hrs
BIOS 586. Cell and Molecular Neurobiology. 3 cr hrs
BSTT 401. Biostatistics II. 4 cr hrs
BSTT 506. Design of Clinical Trials. 3 cr hrs
BSTT 523. Biostatistics Methods I. 4 cr hrs
BSTT 524. Biostatistics Laboratory. 2 cr hrs
BSTT 525. Biostatistics Methods II. 4 cr hrs
BSTT 535. Categorical Data Analysis. 3 cr hrs
BSTT 536. Survival Analysis. 3 cr hrs
BSTT 537. Longitudinal Data Analysis. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 414. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I. 2-3 cr hrs
CHEM 415. Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 416. Inorganic Chemistry II. 3-4 cr hrs
CHEM 421. Instrumental Analysis. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 432. Advanced Organic Chemistry. 2-3 cr hrs
CHEM 522. Techniques in Mass Spectrometry and Surface Analysis. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 524. Optical Spectroscopies in Analytical Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 526. NMR Spectroscopy in Analytical Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 528. Chemical Separations. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 531. Spectroscopic Organic Structure Determination. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 532. Advanced Organic Chemistry I. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 533. Advanced Organic Chemistry II. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 535. Advanced Synthetic Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 536. Physical Organic Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
CHEM 554. Bioinorganic Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
GEMS 500. Physiology. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 501. Biochemistry. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 502. Molecular Biology. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 503. Cell Biology. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 504. Research Methods I. 1 hour/module
GEMS 505. Research Methods II. 1 hour/module
GEMS 510. Integrative Biology. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 511. Molecular Genetics. 3 cr hrs
GEMS 515. Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling. 3 cr hrs
MDCH 412. Pharmaceutical Applications of Genomics and Bioinformatics. 2 cr hrs
MDCH 560. Organic Medicinal Chemistry I. 3 cr hrs
MDCH 561. Principles of Medicinal Chemistry. 4 cr hrs
MDCH 562. Spectroscopy in Medicinal Chemistry. 3 cr hrs
MDCH 564. Physical Medicinal Chemistry. 3 cr hrs
MDCH 571. Organic Medicinal Chemistry II. 3 cr hrs
MDCH 572. Drug Design. 2 cr hrs
MIM 513. Principles of Structure Determination and Analysis. 3 cr hrs
MIM 551. Immunology. 2 cr hrs
MIM 553. Molecular Biology of Viruses. 2 cr hrs
MIM 585. Cell Biology. 4 cr hrs
NUEL 546. Biometrics and Applied Statistics. 4 cr hrs
NUEL 547. Multivariate Analysis for Health Sciences. 3 cr hrs
PHYB 502. Physiology of Reproduction. 2 cr hrs
PHYB 512. Gastrointestinal Physiology. 2 cr hrs
PHYB 516. Physiology and Biochemistry of Muscle Contraction. 2 cr hrs
PHYB 518. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology. 3 cr hrs
PHYB 540. Ion Channels: Structure, Function, Pharmacology and Pathology. 2 cr hrs
PHYB 551. Human Physiology I. 5 cr hrs
PHYB 552. Translational and Applied Physiology. 3 cr hrs
PHYB 586. Cell Physiology. 3 cr hrs