Master of Science in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy)
Introduction
The Pharmacognosy Department was established with the creation of the College of Pharmacy in 1379 AH. It collaborates with other academic departments in the college to train pharmaceutical professionals to provide various pharmaceutical and healthcare services across relevant sectors. The department focuses on the chemistry and biology of natural products, studying naturally occurring pharmacologically active substances found in plants, animals, and microbes. In addition to its role in teaching undergraduate pharmacy students, the department offers a Master of Science program in Pharmacognosy, established in 1402 AH, with twenty-five (25) graduates. In 1421 AH, the department also introduced a PhD program in Pharmacognosy, graduating nine (9) students to date. Since the establishment of the Master's program in Pharmacognosy, numerous evaluations and revisions have been made to the curriculum to keep pace with the continuous development of the college's plans and the research and scientific advancements in pharmacognosy and its applications.
Degree Name
Master of Science in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy).
Program Language
English.
Program Vision
Regional excellence in drug discovery from natural sources in line with King Saud University's Vision 2030.
Program Mission
To prepare scientifically and professionally qualified pharmacists and researchers in the field of pharmacognosy by providing an outstanding educational and research environment that contributes to community awareness and education.
Program Objectives
- To provide an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies for a Master's degree.
- To train qualified personnel to teach in the field of pharmacognosy.
- To graduate highly qualified professionals in pharmacognosy to provide educational and medical institutions with specialized national cadres.
- To stimulate and support scientific research related to pharmacognosy.
- To activate scientific and training exchange agreements with universities and centers locally and internationally.
Program Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Achieving advanced knowledge in pharmacognosy with a strong background in the major academic fields of natural products chemistry and biology, and biotechnology.
- Understanding how natural medicines affect human strategies for dealing with diseases.
- Identifying the fundamentals related to quality assurance in pharmacognosy and related topics.
- Familiarity with academic and research professional ethics and understanding how to work within ethical frameworks.
Cognitive Skills
- Problem-solving, communication skills, scientific research methods, report writing, and research proposals.
- Critically evaluating the quality of data and information provided from various sources to solve different problems.
- Evaluating and designing research, collecting, analyzing, synthesizing data, and preparing reports in the field of specialization.
- Preparing and presenting research results and acquiring skills in persuasion and scientific description.
Professional and Practical Skills
- Designing and critiquing scientific research and studies.
- Designing and completing research projects in the field of specialization.
- Preparing a well-crafted Master's thesis suitable for publication in leading scientific journals in the field of specialization.
- Preparing and presenting scientific presentations.
General Skills
- Managing scientific discussions.
- Continuous self-development.
- Working in a team and time management skills.
- Self-criticism and evaluation, and identifying educational and professional needs.
Available Job Opportunities
- Lecturer position in Saudi government and private universities and colleges.
- Researcher position in Saudi government and private universities and colleges.
- Leadership and administrative positions in the Ministry of Health, hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, and other related institutions and bodies.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or a Doctor of Pharmacy from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of (Good), provided that the applicant's grade in specialized courses is not less than (Very Good).
- Applicants must have a score of (480) on the TOEFL exam or its equivalent.
- Equivalence of the certificate issued by non-Saudi universities.
- Applicants must pass the written exam conducted by the program.
- Applicants must pass the personal interview conducted by the program.
General Program Structure
| Course Type | Number of Courses | Number of Required Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 11 | 24 Credit Hours |
| Thesis | 1 | 6 Credit Hours |
| Total | 12 | 24 Credit Hours + 6 Credit Hours for Thesis |
Program Curriculum
Level One
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 515 Phar | Methods of Isolation of Natural Products | 3 (2+1) | |
| 2 | 526 Phar | Selected Topics in Pharmacognosy | 2 (2+0) | |
| 3 | 527 Phar | Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (1) | 3 (3+0) | |
| 4 | 541 Pharm | Pharmacometry | 3 | |
| Total | 9 Credit Hours | |||
Level Two
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 525 Phar | Biotechnology of Natural Products | 3 (3+0) | |
| 2 | 526 Phar | Selected Topics in Pharmacognosy | 2 (2+0) | |
| 3 | 527 Phar | Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (1) | 3 (3+0) | |
| Total | 8 Credit Hours | |||
Level Three
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 535 Phar | Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (2) | 3 (2+1) | 527 Phar |
| 2 | 536 Phar | Marine Natural Products | 2 (2+0) | |
| 3 | 537 Phar | Seminar (2) | 1 (1+0) | 518 Phar |
| 4 | 598 Phar | Research Proposal Preparation | 1 Credit Hour | 12 Credit Hours |
| Total | 7 Credit Hours | |||
Level Four
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 Phar | Thesis | 6 Credit Hours | 598 Phar |
| Total | 24 Credit Hours + 6 Credit Hours for Thesis | |||
Description of New Courses
515 Phar: Methods of Isolation of Natural Products - 3 (2+1)
This course aims to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of various extraction and physical separation methods in pharmacognosy research, including modern methods of extraction, separation, and purification of natural products. This course includes a comprehensive review of recent advances in chromatographic separation methods, including chiral separation. The course also includes non-chromatographic separation methods such as extraction methods, precipitation and crystallization processes. The course also includes a discussion of the challenges in isolating natural compounds from marine organisms. In addition, the course covers the stability of isolated natural products. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to select and apply appropriate methods for extracting, processing, and separating crude extracts containing different types of chemical compounds.
516 Phar: Research Methods 2 (0+2)
This course aims to equip students with the essential laboratory skills required in pharmacognosy research, focusing on various analytical methods used in pharmacognosy, as well as the use of simple and advanced laboratory equipment and techniques. The course will give students the opportunity to directly handle this equipment and techniques and become familiar with various definitions, rules, and practical problems in research. The course design also emphasizes the adoption of safety measures and quality control procedures and promotes scientific documentation methods. At the end of the course, the student will be able to develop their research skills and master scientific research methods and document their procedures and results.
517 Phar: Terrestrial Natural Products - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of biologically active natural products extracted from terrestrial living organisms. In this course, the student will learn drug discovery strategies from nature and how to identify any natural product they encounter in terms of its chemical classification, its biogenetic origin, and the functional groups in its chemical structure, as well as the relationship between its chemical structure and its biological activity. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to appreciate and understand the importance of discovering natural products and how to predict the chemical and biological properties of newly discovered compounds.
518 Phar: Seminar (1) - 1 (1+0)
This course aims to develop the student's ability to choose and present recent topics in various fields of pharmacognosy. The student chooses one topic to present to faculty members and graduate students in the department at the end of the semester. Upon completion of the course, the student will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired the skills to present and manage a scientific presentation in one of the fields of pharmacognosy.
525 Phar: Biotechnology of Natural Products - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and molecular techniques needed to obtain natural biological products using genetically modified cells and organisms. The course also introduces the principles of recombinant DNA technology, the production of modified organisms, plant tissue culture, fermentation, metabolism, and the bioproduction of compounds. Upon completion of the course, the student will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired various methods in biotechnology in the field of pharmacognosy.
526 Phar: Selected Topics in Pharmacognosy - 2 (2+0)
This course covers scientific discussions on selected modern topics in pharmacology such as immunopharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and endocrinology. This course trains the student to research the literature, extract information, and draw conclusions on these topics.
527 Phar: Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (1) - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to familiarize the student with various applications of one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance used in the structure elucidation of natural products. Applications such as the technique of scalar coupling between protons coupled to each other, the technique of close scalar coupling between a proton and the carbon atom attached to it, the technique of long-range scalar coupling between protons and carbon atoms adjacent to the carbon atom connected to it, and other modern techniques. The course also addresses the chemical and spectral methods used in determining the three-dimensional shape of natural products. Students will be trained to identify and determine the chemical structure of selected natural products. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to definitively determine the chemical structure of naturally occurring compounds.
536 Phar: Marine Natural Products - 2 (2+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of biologically active natural products extracted from marine invertebrates such as soft corals, sponges, sea anemones, seaweed, and marine microorganisms, as well as some vertebrates, and methods of exploration. Students will also gain the ability to identify the marine natural products they are exposed to based on their classification, biogenetic origin, and the functional groups in their chemical structure, as well as the relationship between their chemical structure and their biological activity. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to understand and recognize the promising future of marine natural products as a renewable resource for drug discovery.
537 Phar: Seminar (2) - 1 (1+0)
This course aims to give students the opportunity to present their proposed research project for their master's thesis. Upon completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to present and discuss their research project and benefit from the insights of faculty members in the department.
598 Pharm: Research Proposal Preparation - 1 Credit Hour
This course aims to give students an overview of how to design, select, and write a research proposal, how to search for references, and how to analyze results statistically with the help of their academic advisor. Upon completion of the course, the student will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired specific skills in designing and selecting a research proposal.
600 Phar: Thesis - 6 Credit Hours
After the approval of the relevant councils of the plan, the student will prepare their thesis and write the thesis to be discussed by the discussion committee and approved.
Description of New Courses
515 Phar: Methods of Isolation of Natural Products - 3 (2+1)
This course aims to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of various extraction and physical separation methods in pharmacognosy research, including modern methods for the extraction, separation, and purification of natural products. This course includes a comprehensive review of recent advances in chromatographic separation methods, including chiral separation. The course also includes non-chromatographic separation methods such as extraction methods, precipitation, and crystallization processes. It also includes a discussion of the challenges in separating natural compounds from marine organisms. In addition, the course covers the stability of the separated natural products. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to select and apply appropriate methods for extracting, processing, and separating crude extracts containing various types of chemical compounds.
516 Phar: Research Methods - 2 (0+2)
This course aims to equip students with the essential laboratory skills required in pharmacognosy research, focusing on various analytical methods used in pharmacognosy, as well as the use of simple and advanced laboratory equipment and techniques. The course will give students the opportunity to directly handle this equipment and techniques and become familiar with various definitions, rules, and practical problems in research. The course design also emphasizes the adoption of safety measures and quality control procedures and promotes scientific documentation methods. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to develop their research skills and master scientific research methods and document their procedures and results.
517 Phar: Terrestrial Natural Products - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of biologically active natural products extracted from terrestrial living organisms. Students will learn drug discovery strategies from nature and how to identify any natural product encountered in terms of its chemical classification, biogenetic origin, and the functional groups in its chemical structure, as well as the relationship between its chemical structure and its biological activity. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to appreciate and understand the importance of discovering natural products and how to predict the chemical and biological properties of newly discovered compounds.
518 Phar: Seminar (1) - 1 (1+0)
This course aims to develop the student's ability to select and present recent topics in various fields of pharmacognosy. Students will choose one topic to present to faculty members and graduate students in the department at the end of the semester. Upon completion of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired the skills to present and manage a scientific presentation in one of the fields of pharmacognosy.
525 Phar: Biotechnology of Natural Products - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and molecular techniques needed to obtain natural biological products using genetically modified cells and organisms. The course also introduces the principles of recombinant DNA technology, the production of modified organisms, plant tissue culture, fermentation, metabolism, and the bioproduction of compounds. Upon completion of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired various methods in biotechnology in the field of pharmacognosy.
526 Phar: Selected Topics in Pharmacognosy - 2 (2+0)
This course covers scientific discussions on selected modern topics in pharmacology such as immunopharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and endocrinology. This course trains the student to research the literature, extract information, and draw conclusions on these topics.
527 Phar: Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (1) - 3 (3+0)
This course aims to familiarize students with various applications of one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance used in the structure elucidation of natural products. Applications such as the technique of scalar coupling between protons coupled to each other, the technique of close scalar coupling between a proton and the carbon atom attached to it, the technique of long-range scalar coupling between protons and carbon atoms adjacent to the carbon atom connected to it, and other modern techniques. The course also addresses the chemical and spectral methods used in determining the three-dimensional shape of natural products. Students will be trained to identify and determine the chemical structure of selected natural products. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to definitively determine the chemical structure of naturally occurring compounds.
536 Phar: Marine Natural Products - 2 (2+0)
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge of biologically active natural products extracted from marine invertebrates such as soft corals, sponges, sea anemones, seaweed, and marine microorganisms, as well as some vertebrates, and methods for their exploration. Students will also gain the ability to identify encountered marine natural products based on their classification, biogenetic origin, functional groups in their chemical structure, and the relationship between their chemical structure and biological activity. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand and recognize the promising future of marine natural products as a renewable resource for drug discovery.
537 Phar: Seminar (2) - 1 (1+0)
This course aims to give students the opportunity to present their proposed research project for their master's thesis. Upon completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to present and discuss their research project and benefit from the feedback of faculty members in the department.
598 Phar: Research Proposal Preparation - 1 Credit Hour
This course aims to give students an overview of how to design, select, and write a research proposal, the methodology for literature searches, and how to statistically analyze results with the help of their academic advisor. Upon completion of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge and understanding and will have acquired specific skills in designing and selecting a research proposal.
600 Phar: Thesis - 6 Credit Hours
After the relevant councils approve the plan, the student will prepare and write their thesis for discussion and approval by the thesis committee.
