Departments

The KU School of Pharmacy offers opportunities to explore every phase of the pharmacy profession, from drug discovery to pharmacy practice.

Three of the four departments in the school; Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, offer master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees. The Department of Pharmacy Practice offers a master’s degree.

Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry deals with the drug discovery side of pharmacy. Researchers isolate molecules from nature or synthesize them in the laboratory and test them for activity against a disease target. The FDA evaluates the safety and efficacy, and if acceptable, approves the drug and the prescribing information.

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Researchers study the effects of drugs in the body to better understand their mechanisms of action and side effects in treating diseases. At the KU School of Pharmacy, PhD students are prepared to teach and do research in a university, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or government laboratory.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Researchers formulate the drug to improve absorption by the body, to increase shelf life, and to target delivery to the desired tissue. Bioanalytical chemistry is an important tool for understanding the basis of drug addiction.

Pharmacy Practice

Following clinical trials and approval, patients come into the pharmacy with the prescription for a new drug. The pharmacist provides the drug and counsels the patient on its proper use and side effects.