Postgraduate Programs
Vision:
To establish postgraduate programs as a high-level academic center and a recognized and accredited research reference in pharmacology and toxicology specialties regionally and internationally.
Mission:
To prepare postgraduate students with the knowledge and essential skills to fill positions in pharmaceutical research, participate in pre-clinical and clinical studies, drug reviews, and the evaluation of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Objectives:
- Gaining new knowledge in pharmacology through conducting and encouraging innovative research under the supervision of qualified faculty members.
- Preparing students for future success in their careers through hosting modern courses in pharmacology that help them develop their abilities, thereby serving pharmacy and other health-related professions.
- Conveying relevant information to students in a manner that encourages them to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills, leading to knowledge acquisition, with an emphasis on self-reliance.
- Expanding the scope of modern pharmaceutical research to include cell physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology for a better understanding of drug mechanisms.
Department-Specific Admission Requirements:
- A Bachelor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree from a Saudi or other recognized university with a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.75 out of 5.
- If the degree was obtained outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, applicants must submit an equivalency certificate issued by the Ministry of Education.
- A minimum score of 5 on the IELTS Academic English language test or its equivalent.
- A minimum score of 65 on the Post-Graduate Admission Test (PGAT) or its equivalent.
- Passing the departmental admission exam.
Study System:
The program follows a course and thesis system, with coursework spanning four semesters, followed by thesis work after completion of coursework (27 credit hours + 7 credit hours for the thesis).
Level 1
| No. | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 511 PHM | Experimental Pharmacology | 3 | |
| 2 | 512 PHM | Advanced Pharmacology - 1 - | 3 | |
| 3 | 551 PHM | Physiological Chemistry | 3 | |
| 4 | 541 PHM | Pharmacometric | 3 | |
| Total | 12 Credit Hours | |||
Level 2
| No. | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 513 PHM | Advanced Pharmacology - 2 - | 3 | |
| 2 | 516 PHM | Specialized Topics in Pharmacology | 3 | |
| 3 | 542 PHM | Pharmacodynamics | 2 | |
| 4 | 521 PHM | Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 3 | |
| 5 | 515 PHM | Laboratory Training | 2 | |
| Total | 13 Credit Hours | |||
Level 3
| No. | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 598 PHM | Research Proposal Preparation | 1 | |
| 2 | 591 PHM | Journal Club | 1 | |
| Total | 2 Credit Hours | |||
Level 4
| No. | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 PHM | Thesis | 6 Credit Hours | 598 PHM |
| Total | 27 Credit Hours + 6 Credit Hours for Thesis | |||
New Course Descriptions
511 PHM: Experimental Pharmacology - 3 Credit Hours
This course forms the basis for the study and research of drugs. It focuses on testing drugs on laboratory animals to demonstrate drug efficacy on whole animals, isolated organs, tissues, or single cells. This course also covers various experimental techniques in the laboratory and in vivo.
512 PHM: Advanced Pharmacology - 1 - 3 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of pharmacology, including receptor mechanisms, drug distribution and metabolism, and pharmacokinetics. Lectures, laboratories, and tutorials cover the interactions of drugs with biological systems as a basis for rational drug therapy. It also focuses on advanced knowledge in the pharmacological aspects and therapeutic applications of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system and associated diseases. It emphasizes the molecular pharmacology of these drugs as well as clinical utility aspects, such as contraindications, interactions, and adverse reactions.
551 PHM: Physiological Chemistry - 3 Credit Hours
This course focuses on aspects of biochemistry related to physiology and pharmacology, such as cell membranes and the chemistry of immunity, endocrinology, genetics, and metabolic regulation.
541 PHM: Pharmacometric - 3 Credit Hours
This course aims to train students in the design of various laboratory experiments used in pharmacology, the application of statistical tests in analyzing laboratory results, and determining the degree of reliability of the results.
513 PHM: Advanced Pharmacology - 2 - 3 Credit Hours
This course aims for an in-depth study of the effects of autonomic nervous system drugs concerning their chemical messengers, axes, receptors in the body organs, and mechanisms of action. This course also describes the use of chemotherapeutic agents to target and treat cancer cells, covering the nature of the disease at the cellular and molecular levels. It focuses on the drugs used in treating various cancers and their mechanisms of action.
516 PHM: Specialized Topics in Pharmacology - 3 Credit Hours
This course covers scientific discussions on selected modern topics in pharmacology, such as immunopharmacology, pharmacogenetics, and hormone pharmacology. This course trains students in literature research, information extraction, and conclusion drawing for these topics.
542 PHM: Pharmacodynamics - 2 Credit Hours
This course focuses on training students to determine the location and mechanism of action of some drugs affecting different body systems, such as the central nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, etc.
515 PHM: Laboratory Training - 2 Credit Hours
Training postgraduate students on laboratory research models conducted in the department in the fields of pharmacology and toxicology. This laboratory research will be conducted by postgraduate students under the supervision of faculty members.
521 PHM: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics - 3 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the principles of testing various drug groups in treating various medical conditions such as infectious diseases, gynecological diseases, pediatric diseases, geriatric diseases, ophthalmological diseases, and rheumatic inflammations, with an emphasis on the potential use of these drugs in special cases such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and old age.
598 PHM: Research Proposal Preparation - 1 Credit Hour
In this course, postgraduate students will be required to submit a research proposal related to their thesis. This thesis must comply with the requirements of the department and college.
591 PHM: Journal Club - 1 Credit Hour
This course aims to train students on how to prepare and present topics related to pharmacology in the form of a journal club discussion.
