Curriculum Overview
The curriculum of the Pharmacy program at Durga Soren University Deoghar is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and clinical practice. The program spans four years, with each year building upon foundational knowledge to develop advanced skills and expertise in specialized areas.
Students begin their academic journey by laying a solid foundation in basic sciences such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. These subjects are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of drug action and developing a deeper appreciation of how medicines interact with living systems.
As students progress through the program, they are exposed to core subjects that form the backbone of pharmaceutical education. These include pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, and clinical pharmacy. Each subject is complemented by hands-on laboratory sessions that allow students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings.
Semester-wise Course Structure
The following table outlines all courses across eight semesters:
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | PHAR101 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| I | PHAR102 | Chemistry of Medicinal Plants | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | PHAR103 | Basic Organic Chemistry | 4-0-0-4 | None |
| I | PHAR104 | Introduction to Biology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | PHAR105 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| II | PHAR201 | Pharmacognosy | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR102, PHAR103 |
| II | PHAR202 | Medicinal Chemistry I | 4-0-0-4 | PHAR103 |
| II | PHAR203 | Pharmacology I | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR104 |
| II | PHAR204 | Biochemistry | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR104 |
| II | PHAR205 | Pharmaceutical Analysis I | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR103 |
| III | PHAR301 | Medicinal Chemistry II | 4-0-0-4 | PHAR202 |
| III | PHAR302 | Pharmacology II | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR203 |
| III | PHAR303 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR202, PHAR201 |
| III | PHAR304 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR104 |
| III | PHAR305 | Pharmaceutical Analysis II | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR205 |
| IV | PHAR401 | Clinical Pharmacy I | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR302, PHAR303 |
| IV | PHAR402 | Pharmacotherapy | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR302 |
| IV | PHAR403 | Pharmaceutical Technology I | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR201, PHAR303 |
| IV | PHAR404 | Pharmaceutical Economics | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR205 |
| V | PHAR501 | Clinical Pharmacy II | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR401 |
| V | PHAR502 | Pharmaceutical Technology II | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR403 |
| V | PHAR503 | Pharmaceutical Regulation and Ethics | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR101 |
| V | PHAR504 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR301, PHAR302 |
| VI | PHAR601 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR302 |
| VI | PHAR602 | Pharmaceutical Formulation | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR403 |
| VI | PHAR603 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR204 |
| VI | PHAR604 | Research Methodology | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR105 |
| VII | PHAR701 | Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR501, PHAR602 |
| VII | PHAR702 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacy | 3-0-0-3 | PHAR501 |
| VII | PHAR703 | Pharmaceutical Marketing | 2-0-0-2 | PHAR404 |
| VIII | PHAR801 | Capstone Project | 3-0-0-3 | All previous courses |
| VIII | PHAR802 | Internship | 3-0-0-3 | All previous courses |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The department offers a range of advanced elective courses that allow students to specialize in areas of interest. These courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills relevant to the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.
Medicinal Chemistry II: This course delves into advanced topics such as drug design, structure-activity relationships, and computational methods used in modern drug development. Students learn how to synthesize complex molecules and evaluate their biological activity.
Pharmacology II: Building on foundational knowledge, this course explores the mechanisms of action of various drugs, including their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic uses. Case studies are used to illustrate real-world applications.
Pharmaceutical Analysis II: This course focuses on advanced analytical techniques used in pharmaceutical quality control, including chromatography, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instruments.
Drug Discovery and Development: This elective introduces students to the process of discovering and developing new drugs from laboratory research to clinical trials. Topics include target identification, lead optimization, and regulatory considerations.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: This course explores the application of biotechnological principles in pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug delivery systems. Students study recombinant DNA technology, protein engineering, and bioinformatics.
Advanced Clinical Pharmacy: Designed for students interested in clinical practice, this course covers advanced topics such as therapeutic monitoring, adverse drug reaction management, and patient counseling strategies.
Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance: This course emphasizes the importance of quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Students learn about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory compliance, and risk assessment methodologies.
Pharmacognosy & Natural Products: Focused on the study of medicinal plants and natural compounds, this course explores traditional knowledge systems, phytochemical screening, and modern extraction techniques.
Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs: This elective prepares students for careers in regulatory affairs by covering international regulatory frameworks, drug registration processes, and compliance strategies.
Pharmaceutical Economics: This course introduces economic principles applied to pharmaceutical decision-making, including cost-effectiveness analysis, budget impact modeling, and health technology assessment.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in project-based learning as a means of developing critical thinking, research skills, and professional competencies. Students are required to complete two major projects throughout their academic journey: a mini-project in the second year and a final-year capstone project or thesis.
Mini-projects typically involve collaborative research or development tasks that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. These projects are supervised by faculty members and often involve interaction with industry partners. The evaluation criteria include project proposal, execution, presentation, and documentation.
The final-year capstone project is an independent research endeavor where students select a topic of interest under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Projects can range from developing new drug formulations to analyzing the efficacy of existing medications in specific populations. Students are encouraged to present their work at national or international conferences and may publish their findings in academic journals.
Project selection is done through a formal process involving student preferences, faculty availability, and alignment with departmental research priorities. Students are matched with mentors based on mutual interests and expertise areas.