COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry at Montclair State University offers a focused curriculum that prepares students for careers in drug discovery and the pharmaceutical sciences. The core courses include Advanced Biochemistry, which examines biomolecules and analytical methods; Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanisms, covering enzyme structure, function, and regulation; Biomolecular Assay Development, which introduces drug screening techniques and molecular docking; and Biochemical Pharmacology, which explores drug interactions with biochemical pathways relevant to disease. Students must also choose between a Graduate Literature Search or a Research & Thesis option. The literature search involves in-depth analysis of current scientific publications and a formal seminar presentation, while the research and thesis path includes guided lab work and completion of a thesis under faculty supervision. All students must complete a culminating seminar presentation. Elective options depend on the selected research path, with a maximum of six credits in biology. Electives cover a wide range of subjects such as cell culture, modern genetics, molecular biology, protein structure, nucleic acid biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and drug design. Courses like Bioinorganic Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory Techniques offer both theoretical and practical understanding of biochemical processes and instrumentation. This diverse curriculum equips students with advanced knowledge in biochemistry, pharmacology, and research methodologies, directly aligned with pharmaceutical industry practices.