Introduction

The Department of Pharmacognosy is an integral part of the College of Pharmacy. It was established in 1959. The department aims to prepare graduates for their professional careers and provides people with the clinical services they need. The department focuses on natural bioactive substances' chemical and biological attributes in plants, animals, or microbes. Besides the department's contribution to teaching bachelor's degree pharmacy program, it currently runs a Master's degree program and a Ph.D. program offering a Doctor of Philosophy degree. During the past years, the Degree programs at the Pharmacognosy Department underwent several assessments and modifications due to the continuous development of the college curriculum and pharmacognosy-related research and applications.

Program Information

• Degree's Name: M.Sc in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy)
• Credit Hours: 30 hours
• Program's Language: English
• System for Study: Course works and thesis
• Tuition: 100,000 SAR

Program's Mission

To graduate well-qualified researchers with advanced research techniques in the Pharmacognosy field through high-quality education and research environment that contribute to community awareness and education.

Program's Goals

1. To establish a positive academic environment to accumulate knowledge, expertise, and quality research in Pharmacognosy.
2. To prepare highly qualified academicians in the field of Pharmacognosy.
3. To enhance scientific research in the field of Pharmacognosy.
4. To activate the scientific and training reciprocity conventions with local and international universities and centers.

Employment Opportunities

1. Lecturer in local universities and public or private colleges.
2. Researcher in local universities and public or private colleges.
3. Administrative leadership positions in the Ministry of Health, hospitals, drug manufacturers, authorities, and other related institutes.
4. Technical or supervisory positions in the Ministry of Health and hospitals, pharmaceutical companies & industry, regularity authorities, and other relevant institutions and agencies.
5. Occupations as health education specialists.
6. Managers and owners of outlets that sell and trade medicinal herbs.

Graduate Attributes

The graduate of the program should acquire the following attributes:

1. Has advanced and specialized knowledge in Pharmacognosy, gained from conducting academic and scientific activities, which contribute to developing the field of natural products.
2. Commitment to integrity, ethical practices, and professionalism.
3. Participate in finding constructive solutions to scientific and social issues.
4. Initiate professional planning, continuous learning, and decision-making.
5. Actively participate in research groups.
6. Show professionalism and full responsibility for the work and decisions, new practices, and ways of thinking that enhance the community's quality of life.

Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

1. Demonstrate specialized advanced knowledge in the field of Pharmacognosy and related research.
2. Discuss operations, materials, methods, and practices related to natural products.
3. Identify the quality principles in Pharmacognosy and related research.
4. Describe professional and research ethics.
5. Recognize the different multidisciplinary databases useful for researchers working in the field of Pharmacognosy.

Skills

1. Design research projects in Pharmacognosy using skills in collecting, evaluating, and criticizing data governing theoretical and practical principles.
2. Interpret the provided information and data from various sources to solve highly complex problems related to the isolation, characterization, and evaluation of natural products.
3. Use of complex processes and advanced techniques in the separation, purification, and structure elucidation of compounds derived from natural sources.
4. Communicate efficiently, verbal or non-verbal, using advanced digital tools and information technology to present research results.

Values Autonomy, and Responsibility

1. Be committed to integrity, quality, and ethical practices.
2. Show professionalism and full responsibility for the work and decisions.
3. Participate in creating constructive solutions to societal issues and be a responsible citizen.
4. Initiate professional planning and continuous learning process.
5. Actively participate in research groups.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements mentioned in the unified regulations for graduate studies in Saudi universities and the organizational and executive rules and procedures for postgraduate studies at King Saud University, the department requires the following to enroll in the program:

1. Applicant must hold a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences or a Pharm. D. from an accredited university with a minimum of a "Good" GPA, provided that applicant's GPA is a minimum of "Very Good" in the specialty courses.
2. A score of at least 5 on the IELTS test or equivalent.
3. Certificates of equivalency must be submitted if certificates were obtained from an organization outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
4. Qualifying for a preliminary written examination.

Curriculum

Study Plan Structure

Program Courses