Pharmacology: From Drug Discovery to Patient Care
Unlock your future in medicine with our online pharmacology course. Learn how drugs interact with the body, from absorption and distribution to metabolism and excretion. Explore the mechanisms of drug action, understand how drugs are designed and developed, and discover the principles of drug safety and effectiveness. Gain valuable knowledge and prepare for exciting opportunities in healthcare.
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Individual Course Fees
$1,795
Journey into the World of Pharmacology
Investigate the Core Principles of Pharmacology
Master the essentials of drug classification, naming, and treatment categories. Differentiate between drug types, understand their mechanisms of action, and explore the most effective routes of administration.
Understand Drug Absorption and Distribution
Explore the journey of a drug through the body, from absorption and distribution to metabolism and excretion. Learn how these pharmacokinetic processes influence drug effectiveness and dosage.
Explore Drug Interactions at the Cellular Level
Investigate how drugs interact with the body at a cellular level. Understand ligand binding to receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters, and how these interactions lead to therapeutic effects.
Learn About Drug Potency and Efficacy
Investigate the relationship between drug dosage and its effects on the body. Learn to analyze drug-receptor binding curves and dose-response curves, and understand how these tools reveal information about drug efficacy, potency, and interactions.
Understand Drug Safety Mechanisms
Explore aspects of drug safety, including adverse effects, toxicity mechanisms, and drug interactions. Identify potential risks associated with drug therapies and understand how to minimize those risks.
Investigate the Journey from Lab to Market
Uncover the process of bringing a new drug to market, from initial discovery to clinical trials and regulatory approval. Learn about the key stages of drug development, including preclinical research and clinical testing.
How You Will Benefit
- Learn how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
- Understand how drugs interact with each other and with the body's systems.
- Discover how drug dosage affects therapeutic effects and potential side effects.
- Gain insights into the process of discovering, testing, and bringing new drugs to market.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to various scientific disciplines by completing multiple courses.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School for each course, an addition to your college applications.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
College-Level Content
- The program grants you access to college-level material, quizzes, and other engaging content designed by doctors, scientists, and professors from Harvard Medical School — the perfect fit if you envision a future in medicine or STEM.
- This content is similar to the courses that incoming students at Harvard Medical School, including those pursuing medical, dental, and immunology graduate programs. They are designed to help prepare students for the challenging curriculum ahead.
Mentoring
Gain support from an expert mentor who’ll help answer questions and enrich your experience. Here’s what to expect:
- Guidance in your course’s particular medical science field.
- Encouragement and direction throughout the course.
- Inspiration, motivation, and confidence to help you succeed.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Enjoy flexible, engaging video lessons that you can watch whenever it’s convenient for you.
- Multiple medical science courses can be taken to maximize your learning experience.
- 30-40 hours of total instruction and activities per course, including multimedia, simulations, and curated assessments and content.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Taught by HMS Faculty
Kate McDonnell-Dowling, PhD
Lecturer in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
McDonnell-Dowling is also the Associate Director of Curriculum for the HMX program. Her research focuses primarily on how drug abuse early in life impacts development. She earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree along with a PhD in neuropharmacology from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
James P. Rathmell, MD
Leroy D. Vandam Professor of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School
Rathmell is also the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine.
How To Apply:
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Just provide some basic information and tell us why you wish to take this program.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Admissions
Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're accepted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.
