Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy at UB is a 30-credit program that offers both on-campus and fully online delivery modes, providing flexibility for diverse learners. It is a unique program focused on the methodology and application of mathematical models to understand disease progression and drug effects. The program aims to train students to integrate health and biomedical data, empowering them to deliver precision medicine and individualized therapies. The curriculum is built to provide evidence-based instruction in drug therapy optimization, preparing graduates for critical roles in drug discovery and development.
STEM Designated: Yes, the M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy program at UB is a STEM-designated program. This designation is highly beneficial, particularly for international students, as it allows for an optional 24-month extension to their Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a total of 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation, providing more time to gain practical experience and seek employment opportunities.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy includes required courses that provide a strong foundation in core pharmacometric principles, computational aspects, and statistical methods. Key required courses include "Intermediate Pharmacokinetics," "Computational Basis of Pharmacometrics," and "Biometry in the Pharmaceutical Sciences." Students also take elective courses that allow for specialization in areas such as "Basic Drug Development," "Biologics - Specialty Pharma," "Drug Delivery," and "Drug Metabolism and Transport," as well as specialized pharmacometric software training. The program culminates in a capstone project which allows students to apply their learned skills to a research problem, which can involve undertaking a comprehensive exam, writing a grant proposal, or completing a research project.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy program at UB has a strong research focus, emphasizing the application of quantitative methods to advance drug development and personalized medicine. Faculty members within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are actively engaged in cutting-edge research in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, and drug delivery. The program immerses students in diverse aspects of drug action, from discovery to evaluation, and encourages them to partner with internationally-renowned faculty in high-level research. Research often involves developing and applying mathematical models to predict drug behavior, understand disease progression, and optimize individual patient therapies, with a strong emphasis on computational tools and data integration.
Industry Engagement: The program is strategically designed to meet the growing demand for skilled pharmacometricians in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies (such as the FDA), and contract research organizations (CROs). The curriculum combines conceptual training with hands-on computational training, providing students with real-world job experience while still completing coursework. The skills acquired, such as advanced modeling, simulation, and data analysis in drug development, are directly applicable to industry needs. The program's focus on personalized medicine also aligns with current trends in the pharmaceutical sector. While specific internship requirements are not explicitly detailed as mandatory, the strong industry relevance of the curriculum and the high demand for graduates in this specialized field inherently lead to significant industry engagement and career opportunities.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy program at UB inherently holds a global perspective due to the universal nature of pharmaceutical science and the global health challenges it addresses. The principles of pharmacometrics and personalized medicine are applied worldwide to optimize drug therapies and address diverse patient populations. The research conducted by faculty often has international implications, contributing to global efforts in drug discovery and development. Furthermore, the University at Buffalo attracts a diverse international student body, fostering a rich multicultural learning environment. This global exposure prepares graduates to work in multinational pharmaceutical companies, international regulatory bodies, and to contribute to global health initiatives, understanding how drug effects and patient responses can vary across populations.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 41810
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) provides graduates with a highly specialized and in-demand skillset at the intersection of pharmaceutical science, quantitative modeling, and patient-centric care. This program, offered by the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, focuses on applying mathematical and statistical models to understand drug behavior, disease progression, and individual patient responses. The STEM-designated curriculum prepares graduates for critical roles in optimizing drug therapy and advancing precision medicine across the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, and research institutions.
Pharmacometrician/Modeling & Simulation Scientist: This is a primary role for graduates. They develop and apply mathematical models to analyze pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data, inform drug development decisions, optimize dosing regimens, and support regulatory submissions. They are crucial in pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs).
Clinical Pharmacologist (Quantitative Focus): These professionals integrate quantitative modeling with clinical data to understand how drugs behave in patients and guide clinical trial design. They work in pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and clinical research organizations.
Data Scientist (Pharmaceutical/Biotech): Leveraging strong computational and statistical skills, graduates can work as data scientists, specifically focusing on large and complex datasets generated during drug discovery, clinical trials, and post-market surveillance. They use machine learning and advanced analytics to identify patterns and insights.
Regulatory Reviewer/Scientist (FDA or equivalent): Regulatory bodies like the FDA employ pharmacometricians to review quantitative analyses submitted by pharmaceutical companies for new drug applications. Graduates ensure the scientific rigor and appropriateness of models used to support drug approval and labeling.
Personalized Medicine Specialist: As precision medicine advances, graduates can work in healthcare settings, diagnostic companies, or biotech firms to help implement personalized drug therapy based on individual patient characteristics, including genetics, biomarkers, and other clinical data.
Biostatistician (Clinical Trials): While some biostatisticians may have a broader statistics background, an M.S. in Pharmacometrics offers a unique specialization for those supporting clinical trials. They design studies, analyze clinical data, and interpret results, often with a focus on PK/PD and exposure-response relationships.
Medical Science Liaison (MSL) (Quantitative/Pharmacometrics): MSLs often bridge the gap between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers. Graduates with pharmacometrics expertise can serve as MSLs specializing in explaining complex quantitative drug data and personalized dosing strategies to clinicians and researchers.
Research Scientist (Academic or Industry): Graduates can pursue research roles in academic institutions, national laboratories, or pharmaceutical R&D departments. Their work would involve designing studies, developing new models, and conducting analyses to advance the understanding of drug action and disease progression.
Consultant (Pharmacometrics/Drug Development): With their specialized knowledge, graduates can work for consulting firms that advise pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, or regulatory agencies on drug development strategies, clinical trial design, and pharmacometric analyses.
Clinical Research Associate/Manager (with Quantitative Oversight): In clinical research, these roles involve managing and monitoring clinical trials. Graduates with pharmacometrics training can provide valuable oversight regarding data quality for modeling, protocol design, and the interpretation of study results from a quantitative perspective.
