University of Maryland Eastern Shore News April 17, 2015 UMES now offers master’s & doctoral degrees in pharmaceutical sciences The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is taking the next step in the delivery of training in the field of health sciences. Beginning this fall, UMES’ School of Pharmacy and Health Professions will offer a limited number of graduate-level positions for students in pharmaceutical sciences at the master’s and doctoral levels. The UMES faculty say the curriculum they designed will prepare graduates “for careers in advanced scientific research in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academia or government.” Pharmaceutical scientists at UMES study the effects of drugs on the body, drug design and synthesis of new drug molecules, drug formulation and delivery systems. They also look to isolate new compounds from natural sources. UMES began training pharmacists with a year-round doctoral-level program in 2010 that already has produced more than 100 graduates. Graduates of pharmacy programs like the one currently offered at UMES are prepared to “work with existing drugs, patients, and other healthcare practitioners to optimize patient care and drug use,” according to the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, “Pharmaceutical scientists,” the association notes, “are typically involved in the development of new drugs. They spend most of their time doing research in a laboratory or office setting.” At UMES, students accepted in the new program will focus on two areas: drug design and discovery, and drug delivery and pharmacology. Dr. Mark Simmons, UMES’ pharmaceutical sciences graduate studies director, said “these two areas of specialization are multi-disciplinary and on the cutting edge of the ever-advancing field of pharmaceutical sciences,” which will provide a “state-of-the-art experience for the student.” Successful applicants for the UMES graduate program should have an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: biology, biochemistry, engineering, molecular biology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences or a related area.” A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or “B” on a 4.0 scale is required. Other requirements include Graduate Record Exam scores, three letters of recommendation and a statement of academic goals and research interests. Those who earn graduate degrees in pharmaceutical science can expect to see average salaries in the range of $100,000 across opportunities available in the private sector, government and higher education, Simmons said. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.