SOP Launches One-of-a-Kind Master’s in AI for Drug Development

The program is the first of its kind in the world to provide students with cutting-edge skills in natural language processing and machine learning to accelerate innovation at every stage of drug development.

By Pam Carder
March 27, 2025

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has launched a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Drug Development (MS in AIDD). The program’s goal is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s applications and opportunities in pharmaceuticals.

“The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development is transformative, enhancing the capabilities of the pharmaceutical industry and researchers,” says Joga Gobburu, PhD, MBA, professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research and director of the School of Pharmacy’s Center for Translational Medicine, who will oversee the new academic program. “Our exploration of AI’s growing influence inspired us to develop this program to equip students with the skills to leverage AI’s potential, driving innovation in drug development.”

“The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is very excited to offer the MS in AIDD degree,” says Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “The features of the new program distinctly emphasize interdisciplinary research and interprofessional education, a strategic focus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The program uniquely integrates cutting-edge AI technologies with pharmaceutical sciences.”

Gobburu adds that the degree is designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and AI-driven health care startups.

The key focus of the program, which is recruiting students for fall 2025, will be on AI-enabled predictive analytics. Gobburu explains, “The question is no longer whether AI will transform health care, but how we can harness its immense potential to elevate what matters most—saving lives. We’ve flipped the narrative by focusing on producing health care professionals with hands-on expertise in Applied AI, equipping them to solve real-world challenges. Instead of teaching AI as a standalone technique, we are building a future workforce that seamlessly integrates AI into health care, driving innovation and impact where it’s needed most.”

Coursework will develop students’ practical skills through hands-on experiences with AI tools, programming, and methodologies. “Students will complete application-oriented exercises in natural language processing, data analytics, and machine learning geared towards predictive analytics, which are crucial to the future of innovative drug development,” says Gobburu.

Throughout the program, students will also explore ethical and societal implications of AI in drug development, including privacy, bias, and transparency.

The program’s eight graduate-level required courses cover the principles of drug development, AI and machine learning (ML) methodology, and applications to drug development strategy, pharmacovigilance, precision medicine, and clinical trial optimization. Additional coursework will allow students to discover the applications of AI/ML to other areas of drug development, regulatory policies, and ethics.

The MS in AIDD program is 100% online and follows case-based teaching. Instruction includes lectures, active learning discussion boards, and individual and group assignments.

“Students from a variety of disciplines will be able to join us from wherever they are in the world via an internet connection,” says Gobburu. “The MS in AIDD was designed for professionals who want to transition into decision-making data scientists in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or government institutions,” he adds.

The application deadline for the MS in AIDD is July 15, for classes beginning in fall 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit the MS in AIDD website, or contact ai4dd@rx.umaryland.edu.

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