Vision Statement
The USC Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a leading research and learning center in the discovery and translation of molecular interactions and of cellular transport processes into target-specific drugs and drug delivery systems. By exploring these molecular mechanisms of disease, researchers strive to develop new diagnostic methods and rational therapeutic approaches for treatment and prevention.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences is to:

• Conduct cutting-edge research in drug discovery, targeting and delivery, and monitoring.
• Establish a nationally and internationally recognized program on fundamental research in the mechanisms of disease development and progression, with an emphasis on aging, neurodegeneration, autoimmune disease, cancer, aquired genetic disease, and drugs of abuse.
• Develop high quality, progressive teaching and training programs in the areas of faculty expertise. Utilization of departmental resources permits education on the most recent advances in the molecular basis of health and disease prevention, and the development and delivery of therapeutic applications.
• Provide first-rate education to professional, graduate and postgraduate students, scientists, professionals and the public

Objectives
The Department fulfills this mission by:

• Attracting and retaining students of the highest quality and scientists and scholars who dare to be trailblazers.
• Educating students with the goal of providing them with the necessary foundation and confidence in applying and developing concepts in modern drug discovery, targeting and mechanism of drug action in the professional setting of their choice.
• Fostering a collegial and intellectually stimulating environment for learning and conducting research in modern drug discovery, targeting and monitoring at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systemic levels.
• Developing target-specific drugs and novel methods for targeting and monitoring of drugs including products from biotechnology.
• Developing novel models of disease to explore new therapeutic strategies.