Neuropharmacology Courses and Degree Programs
Neuropharmacologists study the ways drugs affect our minds and behaviors and research treatments for neurological disorders. Read on to learn more about the field, the degree options available, courses offered through degree programs and potential careers.
What You Need to Know
Although you might not be able to find a degree program in neuropharmacology specifically, you can study the subject through graduate programs in neuroscience, pharmacology or psychopharmacology at several universities. Neuropharmacology courses typically focus on the physiological, chemical, cellular and molecular processes with which certain drugs affect the nervous system.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b> Degrees</b> </td><td>Master's and Ph.D. programs in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Psychopharmacology or related</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Prerequisites</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree in a science-related study, graduate admissions test</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Courses</b> </td><td> Neuroanatomy and Systems Neuroscience, Research Procedures, Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, Grant Writing, Communication and Ethics, Design & Analysis of Experiments, Brain Repair</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfNeuropharmacologyCoursesOrProgramsAreAvailable">What Kind of Neuropharmacology Courses or Programs Are Available?</h3><p>It is common to find neuropharmacology courses within neuroscience, pharmacology or psychopharmacology programs. You can enroll in a 2-year master's degree program or 5-year doctoral program that fits best with your education and career goals. A Master of Science in Pharmacology with a concentration in Neuropharmacology might be available, or you might find a Ph.D. program in Neuropharmacology Research.
</p><p>While you might be able to find some schools that offer online or hybrid options, most courses in neuropharmacology require you to attend campus classes due to the faculty interaction and materials-handling necessary for your research.
</p><h3 id="section---AreTherePrerequisites">Are There Prerequisites?</h3><p>All graduate programs require that you earn a bachelor's degree prior to enrolling. Usually, you're expected to have majored in a natural science, such as chemistry, physics or biology, and undergraduate performance is often an acceptance factor. Most schools also require you to submit your scores from a graduate admissions test. For most schools, admission into the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) track is more selective than for a master's degree program because of the one-on-one research advising.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>Courses usually cover basic topics in neuroscience, such as the structure of the brain and the nervous system, as well as specific diseases and their treatments. Other topics of study can include:
</p><ul><li>Neurocellular anatomy
</li><li>Neurotransmitters and modulators
</li><li>Psychiatric, behavioral and neurological disorders
</li><li>Drug abuse
</li><li>Research presentations in neuroscience
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCareersCanIPursue">What Careers Can I Pursue?</h3><p>With a graduate degree in pharmacology or neuroscience, you can pursue a variety of careers in different medical or drug industries. If you are looking to become a specialized physician, you might be able to earn a master's or Ph.D. in conjunction with a medical degree. A Ph.D. degree also qualifies you to teach at the college level or conduct pharmaceutical research at a university. Other industries that use neuropharmacology knowledge and research include:
</p><ul><li>Pharmaceutical companies
</li><li>Biotechnology firms
</li><li>Government agencies</li></ul>