Pharmacology

The Pharmacology thread aims to teach core principles underlying drug therapy and how they are applied in clinical practice. In the Scientific Foundations course, students learn core concepts in pharmacotherapy, including the major classes of drug targets, basic principles of drug-receptor interactions, and how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. In the subsequent Master Courses, students learn about specific classes of drugs impacting various physiological and disease systems. Students will learn basic information about the molecular targets of each drug and how target engagement impacts physiology. The material is thereby grounded in an understanding of the mechanisms of drug action, equipping students to adapt to the changing landscape of pharmacotherapy. Finally, students will learn the rationale behind choosing the appropriate drug for a given clinical setting.

Course content is delivered primarily through a combination of in class lectures and interactive sessions. These activities are supplemented with a set of online modules on drug discovery and development that are discussed in class.