Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Distance Masters Program


General Overview of the Distance Masters Program

The focus of the Distance Masters degree program is to provide an opportunity for scientists working at a company to obtain a MS degree from the University of Kansas. The large number of faculty with diversified interests together with the strong collaborative nature of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry makes for an ideal environment for successful learning and research in a distance masters program. We set high standards, in both coursework as well as research to ensure our graduates continue to be highly regarded members of the scientific community. In addition to this, students receive a strong background in the physical/chemical sciences as they relate to pharmaceutical research through a comprehensive series of courses offered by the department. Click for specific information regarding coursework.

Students obtaining a Masters Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry through the distance Masters program will pursue their degree off-site. This requires that students participate in on-line courses and usually work with a supervisor at their site, in addition to a thesis advisor at the University of Kansas, in conducting their thesis research. A Masters Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry requires 30 credit hours (18-20 hours of course work and 10-12 hours of thesis research credit hours). The 10-12 hours of thesis credit research will be satisfied by completing a Masters degree level thesis project. Day-to-day supervision of the research will usually be provided by a senior staff member at the candidate’s place of employment. In the unusual circumstance that a thesis project is not feasible, an in depth literature review of a specific topic of interest to pharmaceutical chemistry including pharmaceutics may be chosen as the final project. The review, to be supervised by a faculty member of the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, will be of such depth and quality to warrant publication in a major pharmaceutical journal.

The final oral committee will be comprised of at least 3 members. At least two members will be from the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department faculty and one member will be the person who provided day-to-day supervision at the site where the research was conducted.