Drug discovery and development (DDD) is the process by which new drugs are discovered, developed, and approved for clinical use. It also encompasses the knowledge, skills and techniques required for pursing the process. Many types of job function are involved in the DDD process including, but are not limited to, biologists and chemists (both broadly defined), scientific writer, intellectual property lawyer, and project manager (all requiring additional training and credentials), etc.
This DDD Certificate Program includes five courses for HSCCP PharmD students or four courses for other students (total 12 semester-credit hours - SCH) offered by the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth College of Pharmacy (HSCCP). It is designed for new college graduates, students currently enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program, and other full-time or part-time students, including working professionals seeking to gain a systematic understanding of how drugs and medicines are discovered and developed, and to increase student’s understanding of clinical, medical, and regulatory affairs of the DDD process. This certificate program will enhance the career options or promote the career advancement of students who complete this program. The program is delivered fully online, with the exception that HSCCP PharmD students take PHAR 7222 in person as it is a core course in their pharmacy curriculum. This certificate program can be completed within one to two years, depending on individual student’s schedule and engagement level.