Pharmacology: From Drug Discovery to Patient Care
Drugs are central to modern medicine, whether it’s how they’re designed, how they act, or how they’re used to treat disease. This course immerses you in the science of pharmacology and connects molecular principles to patient care. As a student preparing for medical school or post-baccalaureate study, you'll build the analytical and conceptual foundations needed for clinical reasoning and therapeutics.
Choose the course length that works for you: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 18 and up
Fees
$1,895
Demystify Drug Action From Molecules to Medicine
Drug Discovery and Translational Science
Examine how new compounds are discovered, optimized, and translated into potential therapies. Understand the steps from bench to bedside.
Pharmacokinetics: ADME in Practice
Dive into absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs, and see how these processes determine dosing, timing, and safety and see how these processes influence dosing decisions, timing of administration, and drug safety.
Mechanisms of Drug Action (Pharmacodynamics)
Investigate how drugs interact with receptors, enzymes, and other molecular targets to influence biological activity. Learn how agonists and antagonists alter receptor function, and compare the mechanisms of small-molecule drugs with those of gene-based, protein-based, and cell-based therapies.
Pharmacodynamics and Drug Response
Understand how drugs bind to their targets and how this interaction determines potency, selectivity, and efficacy. Examine the principles of dose-response relationships and explore how individual factors — such as age, genetics, and health status — influence therapeutic outcomes.
Safety, Toxicology, and Drug Interactions
Explore adverse drug reactions, toxicity mechanisms, and how drugs interact with each other — all essential knowledge for safe prescribing.
Innovations in Pharmacology and Precision Therapies
Connect foundational principles to the future of medicine: biologics, gene therapies, personalized dosing, and targeted drug development.
Pre-Med Online Certificate Program Advantages
- Understand how drugs act in the body and how pharmacological principles guide treatment.
- Build connections between molecular mechanisms, physiology, and therapeutic outcomes.
- Explore clinical case studies that demonstrate safe and effective drug use.
- Explore expertly designed lessons that connect pharmacological science to medical practice.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School, a valuable credential.
Three Benefits of the Program
Experience Medical School-Level Content
- You’ll have access to medical-school-level material, quizzes, and other engaging content designed by doctors, scientists, and faculty from Harvard Medical School.
- Courses lay a foundation for success in medical school, fostering the intellectual curiosity, empathy, and leadership qualities that define exceptional physicians.
Support from Mentors
- In addition to learning from Harvard Medical School faculty, you will have access to valuable mentors who will guide and support your learning experience.
- Here’s what to expect: You’ll receive guidance tailored to your course’s specific discipline, along with encouragement and direction throughout the program. Mentors are here to offer inspiration, motivation, and confidence — helping you stay on track and succeed every step of the way.
Maximum Flexibility
- Our format is entirely online, allowing you to pursue the rigorous curriculum on your schedule; anytime, anywhere.
- Experience flexible, immersive video content.
- Take multiple courses to deepen your learning experience and further prepare you for medical school.
- Academic enrichment courses include videos, quizzes, and a final exam.
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.
Your Mentorship Experience
Throughout your program experience, you’ll be guided by mentors — including physicians, researchers, and health care experts — who provide support and insight as you navigate your coursework. These mentors bring expertise in your course’s specific discipline and are dedicated to helping you stay engaged and on track as you progress. They’ll offer encouragement, direction, and motivation while helping you build the confidence needed to succeed in the program and beyond.
Jaymar
Holds a Precision Medicine Certificate as well as a doctorate in pharmacy. Jaymar is currently working towards becoming a licensed pharmacist in the state of Massachusetts and aspires to be a practicing clinical pharmacist. Jaymar is passionate about utilizing his medical science expertise to help patients achieve optimal health outcomes, and students pursue their own careers in medicine.
Charlene
Holds a Bachelor’s in Nursing as well as a Master’s in both Practical Theology and Human Services Counseling. Charlene has spent nearly 24 years as a registered nurse and 8 years as an Intelligent Behavioral Life Coach. Charlene is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and educating others across diverse settings and learning environments and, as a mentor, hopes to bring practical and real-life examples to the course based on their nursing experience.
How To Apply:
Our application process is straightforward. Tell us why you are interested in medicine and how this program can help you on your medical journey. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
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.
