Human beings vary in their responses to the drugs prescribed to them. These variations can be due to differences in their age, gender, weight, health status, diet, concurrent therapy and genetic make-up. Recently, it has been estimated that 85% of a patient's response to drugs is due to the genetic make-up of the individual (Snedden, 1999).…

A multidisciplinary approach is used to teach the chemical mechanisms of biological processes and of drug action. Program prerequisites and objectives emphasize the training of creative scientists who are qualified to perform interesting and informative research on the interaction of drugs with biological systems. (LBH)

Changes in biological sciences courses--both required and elective at various degree levels--are examined. Their impact on interdisciplinary instruction, administrative authority, student outcomes, and placement of graduates is analyzed. (MSE)

Enrollment of pharmacy and nonpharmacy students in graduate courses in the biological sciences within pharmacy are examined. Suggestions are made for assessing the relative quality of these students, for finding the reason for an upswing in nonpharmacy enrollments in the biological sciences, and for recruiting pharmacy students to this area. (MSE)