Pharmacy Program Curriculum Overview
The Pharmacy program at Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya Nagaon is meticulously structured to provide students with a robust foundation in pharmaceutical sciences while offering specialized tracks that align with global industry demands. The curriculum spans eight semesters, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience through laboratory work, internships, and research projects.
Semester-wise Course Structure
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | P101 | Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | P102 | Biology I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | P103 | Physics I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | P104 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | P105 | Mathematics I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 2 | P201 | Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | P101 |
| 2 | P202 | Biology II | 3-1-0-4 | P102 |
| 2 | P203 | Organic Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | P101 |
| 2 | P204 | Pharmacognosy | 2-1-0-3 | P102 |
| 2 | P205 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 2-0-0-2 | P105 |
| 3 | P301 | Pharmacology I | 3-1-0-4 | P201, P202 |
| 3 | P302 | Pharmaceutics I | 3-1-0-4 | P203 |
| 3 | P303 | Medicinal Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | P203 |
| 3 | P304 | Pharmaceutical Analysis I | 3-1-0-4 | P201 |
| 3 | P305 | Biochemistry | 3-1-0-4 | P102 |
| 4 | P401 | Pharmacology II | 3-1-0-4 | P301 |
| 4 | P402 | Pharmaceutics II | 3-1-0-4 | P302 |
| 4 | P403 | Medicinal Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | P303 |
| 4 | P404 | Pharmaceutical Analysis II | 3-1-0-4 | P304 |
| 4 | P405 | Pathology | 2-1-0-3 | P305 |
| 5 | P501 | Clinical Pharmacy I | 2-1-0-3 | P401, P402 |
| 5 | P502 | Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | 2-1-0-3 | P403 |
| 5 | P503 | Pharmacokinetics | 3-1-0-4 | P401 |
| 5 | P504 | Quality Assurance | 2-1-0-3 | P404 |
| 5 | P505 | Molecular Biology | 3-1-0-4 | P305 |
| 6 | P601 | Clinical Pharmacy II | 2-1-0-3 | P501 |
| 6 | P602 | Drug Information Services | 2-1-0-3 | P501 |
| 6 | P603 | Industrial Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | P402 |
| 6 | P604 | Pharmaceutical Economics | 2-1-0-3 | P504 |
| 6 | P605 | Biotechnology in Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | P505 |
| 7 | P701 | Pharmacogenomics | 3-1-0-4 | P503 |
| 7 | P702 | Advanced Drug Delivery Systems | 3-1-0-4 | P603 |
| 7 | P703 | Pharmaceutical Toxicology | 3-1-0-4 | P401 |
| 7 | P704 | Public Health Pharmacy | 2-1-0-3 | P501 |
| 7 | P705 | Research Methodology | 2-0-0-2 | P605 |
| 8 | P801 | Capstone Project | 4-0-0-4 | P701-P705 |
| 8 | P802 | Internship | 6-0-0-6 | P701-P705 |
| 8 | P803 | Advanced Elective I | 2-1-0-3 | P701-P705 |
| 8 | P804 | Advanced Elective II | 2-1-0-3 | P701-P705 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental electives in the Pharmacy program are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills relevant to emerging trends in pharmaceutical sciences.
- Pharmacogenomics: This course explores how genetic variations affect drug response, enabling personalized medicine approaches. Students learn about genotyping techniques, pharmacogenetic databases, and ethical considerations in genetic testing for drug therapy.
- Advanced Drug Delivery Systems: Focused on designing and evaluating novel delivery mechanisms such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and controlled-release formulations. Students engage in hands-on experiments and research projects aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects.
- Pharmaceutical Toxicology: Examines the toxic effects of drugs and chemicals on biological systems. Topics include dose-response relationships, mechanism of toxicity, risk assessment, and regulatory frameworks for toxicological evaluation.
- Biotechnology in Pharmacy: Integrates biotechnology principles with pharmaceutical applications, focusing on recombinant protein production, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy, and vaccine development. Students gain exposure to modern biotech techniques and their commercial applications.
- Pharmaceutical Economics & Outcomes Research: Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of medications and evaluates health outcomes using economic models and data analytics. Students learn to assess pharmaceutical interventions from a broader societal perspective, including budget impact analysis and health technology assessment.
- Public Health Pharmacy: Addresses community health issues, health policy, and pharmaceutical care in public settings. Prepares students for roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and public health initiatives through case studies and fieldwork experiences.
- Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs: Provides an overview of regulatory frameworks governing drug development, approval processes, and compliance requirements. Students learn to navigate FDA, EMA, and other international regulatory bodies' guidelines and prepare for careers in regulatory affairs roles.
- Drug Discovery & Development: Explores the entire process of identifying, developing, and bringing new drugs to market. Includes lectures on target identification, lead optimization, preclinical testing, clinical trials, and post-marketing surveillance.
- Natural Product-Based Drug Discovery: Focuses on isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds from natural sources such as plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Students learn screening methods, structure elucidation techniques, and synthetic strategies for modifying natural products into potential therapeutics.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation Science: Covers the principles and practices involved in developing stable and effective dosage forms. Students study excipients, formulation design, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures used in pharmaceutical production.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department places significant emphasis on project-based learning as a core component of its educational philosophy. Projects are structured to foster innovation, critical thinking, and teamwork while reinforcing classroom concepts with real-world applications.
Mandatory Mini-Projects
Mini-projects begin in the second semester and continue through the fourth year. Each project is assigned based on student interests and faculty availability. Projects typically involve research, experimentation, or problem-solving related to specific areas within pharmacy. Students are expected to submit written reports, present findings, and participate in peer reviews.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The final-year capstone project is a comprehensive endeavor that allows students to integrate knowledge gained throughout their academic journey. Projects may be individual or collaborative, supervised by faculty members with expertise in relevant fields. Students engage in original research, literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and professional writing. The final presentation includes an oral defense before a panel of experts from academia and industry.
Project Selection Process
Students select projects based on their academic interests, career goals, and faculty mentor availability. The selection process involves submitting proposals, attending project briefings, and receiving feedback from potential advisors. Faculty mentors play a crucial role in guiding students through each stage of the project lifecycle, ensuring high-quality outcomes and professional development.