Catalog 2024–2025

Pharmaceutical Science Innovation Certificate

Coordinator: Leng Chee Chang, M.S., Ph.D., Professor
Email: lengchee@hawaii.edu

Program Description

Pharmaceutical Sciences is an area that could offer a variety of job opportunities related to the drug discovery, development, and production of novel treatments. Currently, pharmacist professionals are rapidly growing in the pharmaceutical sciences and biopharmaceutical research and development arena. This certificate program is designed to give Pharm.D. students a basic foundation in pharmaceutical sciences research methods, with a focus on Hawaii’s unique ecosystem, including locally grown natural products, natural products, and other infectious diseases. Students who complete this program will understand the principle of drug discovery and development techniques and challenges, including pre-clinical research to support FDA- approval drugs.This proposed program is offered by faculty in the Pharmaceutical Sciences (educator experts in drug discovery of natural products, medicinal chemists, pharmaceutics, and pharmacologists).

Program Mission

This certificate program aims to produce Pharm.D. graduates who are more competitive for career positions in the job market, particularly those involving biomedical sciences, biopharmaceutical, and biotechnology research companies. In addition, organizations like the Bio-Pharm industry, Non-profit research institutions, clinical pharmacies, Medical Science Liaisons, and Regulatory agencies.

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  1. Define the roles and importance of natural products in drug discovery and development;
  2. Describe the general approaches and challenges related to drug discovery and the development process;
  3. Identify the application of drug development concepts to Hawaii’s natural environment and health issues;
  4. Describe basic laboratory research methods used in the pharmaceutical sciences;
  5. Implement laboratory techniques to test research hypotheses;
  6. Understand and comply with laboratory safety procedures;
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of the pharmaceutical research industry, including FDA approval of a new drug;
  8. Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences research in an advanced experiential setting, and improve their clinical skills.
  9. Apply statistical analysis to research data, interpret results, and draw conclusions
  10. Participate in a faculty-mentored research project, develop problem-solving skills, and sharpen critical thinking skills.
  11. Develop oral and written skills and effectively communicate research and clinical data to a broad audience. Conduct one research project and submit the project for presentation at a conference.
  12. Describe research innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

Other objectives pertaining to Biomedical Sciences and Global Health will be based on selected elective courses of focus:

  1. Synthesize fundamental knowledge in biomedicine and translational sciences.
  2. Develop critical thinking skills for applying scientific knowledge in evaluating scientific literature.
  3. Acquire skills for developing hypotheses, analyzing data, and interpreting and communicating results in the biomedical sciences.
  4. Describe the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and how the risk for disease varies with regions.
  5. Evaluate the challenges of health disparities in the community and globally.
  6. Describe the major public health efforts to reduce disparities in global health.
  7. Exhibit interprofessional values and communication skills that demonstrate respect for, and awareness of, the unique cultures, values, roles/responsibilities and expertise represented by other professionals and groups in global health.

Certificate Curriculum (15 Credits)

Students must complete the following courses during the P2-P3 Year:

  • PHPS 554 Herb Med & Hawaiian Med Plants (1)
  • PHPS 555 Geographic (Tropical) Medicine (1)
  • PHPS 562 Disc & Dev of Blockbuster Drug (1)
  • PHPS 570 Drugs from the Ocean (1)
  • PHAR 570 Certificate Project Pres (1)

Students must complete one (1) elective from the following list during the P2-P3 Year:

  • PHPS 544 Advanced Laboratory Research (2)
  • PHPS 545 Intro Pharm Chemistry Research (2)
  • PHPS 546 Intro Pharm Biology Research (2)

Students must complete two (2) electives from the following list during the P2-P3 Year:

  • PHPP 558 Business Admin Overview (1)
  • PHPS 560 Advances in New Drug Approvals (1)
  • PHPS 563 Curr Adv in Neuropharmacology (1)
  • PHPS 567 Pharmacogenetics (1)
  • PHPS 569 Cancer Prevention (1)
  • PHPP 572 Intro to Residency Application (1)

Students must complete two (1) of the following experiential electives during the P4 Year:

  • PHAR 585 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec II (6)
  • PHAR 586 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec III (6)