Applications for admission are accepted August 18 through April 15 each year. Application materials are to be submitted through the Pharmacy Graduate Application Service (PharmGRAD). A completed PharmGRAD application is required to be considered for admission (a personal statement, resume/CV, report all institution(s) attended on the PharmGRAD application and request all transcript(s) be sent directly from the institution(s) to PharmGRAD). Applicants who studied outside the U.S. will be required to order a course-by-course foreign credit evaluation report from World Education Services (WES) indicating the US degree equivalency for each international institution attended and have it sent directly to PharmGRAD.

The annual admission cycle for the on-site master's program is as follows:

• August 18 - PharmGRAD application becomes available.
• February 15 - Application deadline for the on-campus master's program (May/Summer Semester) for international students.
• April 15 - Application deadline for the on-campus master's program (May/Summer Semester) for Domestic Students.

• PGX 501 Introduction to Pharmacogenomics - 2 Credits
  

  Prerequisite: none

  A presentation of the evolution of pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics, the human genome and modern applications of DNA information related to drugs.  There will also be focused attention to necessary calculations for research and an introduction to pharmacokinetics.

• PGX 505 Pharmacology - 4 Credits

  Prerequisite: none

  Discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug action, studied within the disciplines of neuropharmacology and cardiovascular pharmacology, endocrine pharmacology, antimicrobials, and cancer pharmacology. Included are lectures on basic physiology that underlie the mechanisms of important pharmacological agents. Special topics include drug discovery, new uses for established drugs, and pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic effects.

• PGX 521 Human Genetics- 4 Credits

  Prerequisite: none

  Discusses how genes influence human traits, diseases, and behaviors, including how non-genetic factors interact with genetic factors to produce observable phenotypes. Human inheritance patterns, genome organization, linkage, and medical applications of genetics in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease will be explored. There will also be an introduction to molecular biology.

• PGX 514 Analytical Technology I - 1 Credit

  Prerequisite: none

  On-Campus Lab: Analytical technique approaches in molecular biology, such as DNA, manipulation and mutation analysis, protein assays, and quantitative analysis of gene expression, among other techniques.

• PGX 515 Research Responsibility and Ethics - 1 Credit

  Prerequisite: none

  Discusses ethics of scientific research involving humans. Bioethics and how it is applied to design and conduct of human drug research. Ethical issues involved with personal genetic information will be emphasized.

• PGX 526 Applied Pharmacogenomics 1 - 3 Credits
  

  Prerequisite: PGX 501 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  Discusses single nucleotide polymorphisms and other genetic variations and their potential impact on clinical medicine and related clinical outcomes. The translation of genetic variations to drug selection, dosing regimens, adverse effects, and regimen optimization will be discussed.

• PGX 531 Bioinformatics - 4 Credits

  Prerequisite: none

  Introduction and exploration of the computational and informational aspects of genomics and proteomics. Includes aspects of sequence similarity analysis, sequence similarity searches, pair-wise analysis, phylogenic trees (and relevance to human genomics), allelic variation analysis, user interface in health care management, population genetics, genomics data results analysis, data quality, and predictions and confirmations of genomics-based altered drug responses.

• PGX 512 Advanced Pharmacokinetics - 2 Credits

  Prerequisite: PGX 501 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  Discusses the mathematical and conceptual study of the time course of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

• PGX 524 Analytical Technology II - 2 Credits

  Prerequisite: PGX 514 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  On-Campus Lab: Continuation of Analytical Technology I

• PGX 536 Applied Pharmacogenomics 2 - 3 Credits
  

  Prerequisite: PGX 501 and PGX 526 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  A continuation of Applied Pharmacogenomics and will continue to focus on single nucleotide polymorphisms and other genetic variation and their potential impact on clinical medicine and related clinical outcomes. The translation of genetic variations to drug selection, dosing regimens, adverse effects, and regimen optimization will be discussed.

• PGX 511 Advanced Molecular Biology - 3 Credits

  Prerequisite: PGX 521 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  Concepts will be related to analytical methodology. Current approaches to DNA manipulation and mutation analysis, protein assays, quantitative analysis of gene expression, sequencing, immunostaining, microscopy, and image analysis will be discussed.

• PGX 533 Data Analysis/Biostatistics - 3 Credits

  Prerequisite: none

  Discusses the use of statistical methods to process public health and genetic data. An emphasis on interpretation and concepts in areas such as population genetics, genome-wide association studies and systems biology will be undertaken.

• PGX 534 Analytical Technology III - 2 Credits

  PGX 514 and PGX 524 (grade of "C" or better or permission)

  On-Campus Lab: Continuation of Analytical Technology I

Who is this program for?
This unique opportunity is for individuals looking for a specialized field of healthcare and science poised for exciting growth and world-changing potential. It is a graduate program, a science degree (e.g., chemistry, biology, medical technician, etc.) or a professional degree (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, master of science in genetic counseling, etc.) is required.

I already have a professional degree - why should I pursue an MS degree in PGx?
Our MS in PGx program provides an in-depth scientific exploration of drug-gene relationships as a component of precision medicine.  Our core courses in human genetics, bioinformatics, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and molecular biology provide the foundational scientific knowledge that our students apply in our pharmacogenomics-specific courses.  Upon completion of our MS in PGx, graduates will have a complete picture of the role PGx plays in precision medicine as well as snapshot into the future of precision medicine.  The MS in PGx will equip graduates to understand and apply pharmacogenomics leading to improved patient outcomes.

I currently have a PharmD, what opportunities do you expect pharmacists to have with the MS in PGx degree?
Pharmacists are now being hired in laboratories to be the translational individuals connecting the science to the clinic. Examples include YouScript (Invitae), Great Lakes Laboratories, and OneOme and there will be others. Labs will be expanding and need these translational expertise of these individuals. 

Can I earn continuing education (CE) credits from the MS in PGx program?
None of our courses are accredited for CE credit.

Why should I pursue a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics verses completing a Pharmacogenomics certificate program?
A MS degree will give the graduate extensive training in PGx and will provide a more scientific background than a continuing education-based certificate program.  The certificate programs largely focus on patient care, but don’t delve into the basic sciences that are important for a complete understanding of PGx and personalized medicine. Currently the certificate training program are largely available to pharmacists and while there are components of basic science, the depth and breadth of molecular biology, genetics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics related to pharmacogenomics is cursory and not to the depth and breadth as that in an MS program. 

Do I need to take the GRE for admissions into the program?
No - we do not require students to take the GRE to be considered for the MS in PGx program at Manchester University!

What sort of references are preferred?
Professional, such as professors, or supervisors from related work/efforts.

Can a student transfer in credits?
External coursework may be considered for the master's program for transfer credit if all of the following conditions are met:

• The course work is completed at a regionally accredited institution.
• The course work is substantially similar to Manchester courses.
• The final grade posted for each potential transfer course is a 'B' grade (or better).
• The course work does not duplicate, overlap, or regress previous work.
• The university or college offering the courses allows these courses to be used for credit towards its own Master's degree.
• No more than 8.5 credits for work completed elsewhere may be counted toward the Master's degree. The 8.5 credit limit applies to transfer of credits and credit for prior learning.

The transfer work must first be officially approved by the PGx Council, then accepted into the University through the University Registrar.  Students should contact the Director for PGx Operations directly for additional details regarding transfer credit policies.

• In order for approved transfer credit to be awarded, students must submit an official transcript that clearly indicates all of the following information for each course:
• Course codes or numbers
• Course titles or descriptions
• Final grades earned
• Course credits earned

Does Manchester University provide housing to graduate students?
No, Manchester University does not provide housing to graduate students.

Is there a fee to apply?
Yes, costs update annually on PharmGRAD.