Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the Pharmacy program at Maulana Azad University Jodhpur is meticulously structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, from foundational principles to advanced applications. The program spans four academic years and includes core courses, departmental electives, science electives, laboratory sessions, and capstone projects designed to foster critical thinking, innovation, and professional readiness.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHM101 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | CHM101 | Organic Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | BIO101 | Basic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MAT101 | Mathematics I | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PHM102 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | CHM101 |
| 1 | LAB101 | Organic Chemistry Lab | 0-0-3-1 | CHM101 |
| 2 | PHM201 | Pharmacology I | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 2 | BIO201 | Cell Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| 2 | CHM201 | Physical Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHM101 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Mathematics II | 3-0-0-3 | MAT101 |
| 2 | PHM202 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry II | 3-0-0-3 | PHM102 |
| 2 | LAB201 | Physical Chemistry Lab | 0-0-3-1 | CHM201 |
| 3 | PHM301 | Pharmacology II | 3-0-0-3 | PHM201 |
| 3 | BIO301 | Molecular Biology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 3 | CHM301 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | CHM101 |
| 3 | PHM302 | Pharmaceutical Analysis I | 3-0-0-3 | CHM201 |
| 3 | LAB301 | Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 0-0-3-1 | CHM301 |
| 4 | PHM401 | Pharmacognosy | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| 4 | BIO401 | Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 4 | PHM402 | Pharmaceutical Analysis II | 3-0-0-3 | PHM302 |
| 4 | LAB401 | Pharmaceutical Analysis Lab | 0-0-3-1 | PHM402 |
| 5 | PHM501 | Pharmacokinetics | 3-0-0-3 | PHM301 |
| 5 | CHM501 | Medicinal Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | PHM202 |
| 5 | PHM502 | Pharmaceutical Technology I | 3-0-0-3 | PHM402 |
| 5 | LAB501 | Medicinal Chemistry Lab | 0-0-3-1 | CHM501 |
| 6 | PHM601 | Pharmaceutical Technology II | 3-0-0-3 | PHM502 |
| 6 | CHM601 | Medicinal Chemistry II | 3-0-0-3 | CHM501 |
| 6 | PHM602 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| 6 | LAB601 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology Lab | 0-0-3-1 | PHM602 |
| 7 | PHM701 | Clinical Pharmacy | 3-0-0-3 | PHM501 |
| 7 | PHM702 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 7 | PHM703 | Drug Delivery Systems | 3-0-0-3 | PHM502 |
| 7 | LAB701 | Biotechnology Lab | 0-0-3-1 | PHM702 |
| 8 | PHM801 | Regulatory Affairs | 3-0-0-3 | PHM601 |
| 8 | PHM802 | Pharmacogenomics | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| 8 | PHM803 | Capstone Project | 0-0-6-3 | All previous courses |
| 8 | LAB801 | Capstone Lab | 0-0-6-2 | All previous labs |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The program includes several advanced departmental elective courses designed to deepen students' expertise in specialized areas of pharmacy. These courses are offered in the later semesters and are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry.
Medicinal Chemistry I
This course explores the structure-activity relationships of various drug molecules, focusing on the synthesis and modification of therapeutic compounds. Students learn to predict the biological activity of new chemical entities and understand the role of functional groups in drug design.
Pharmaceutical Technology I
Students gain hands-on experience in dosage form development, formulation optimization, and manufacturing processes. The course covers both traditional and modern techniques used in pharmaceutical production, including tablet compression, capsule filling, and controlled-release formulations.
Pharmacokinetics
This elective delves into the mathematical modeling of drug behavior in the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Students learn to analyze pharmacokinetic data using software tools and interpret results for clinical applications.
Clinical Pharmacy
Designed to prepare students for patient-centered practice, this course covers therapeutic drug monitoring, medication reconciliation, and counseling techniques. It includes simulated patient encounters and case studies that reflect real-world scenarios in hospital and community settings.
Drug Delivery Systems
This advanced elective focuses on innovative methods of delivering drugs to target tissues or organs, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and transdermal patches. Students learn about the design principles and applications of these systems in modern medicine.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
The course integrates biotechnology with pharmaceutical sciences, covering recombinant protein production, vaccine development, gene therapy, and monoclonal antibody engineering. Emphasis is placed on regulatory considerations and quality control measures in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Regulatory Affairs
This course introduces students to the regulatory framework governing drug approval processes in India and internationally. Topics include Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the roles of regulatory agencies such as the FDA, EMA, and CDSCO.
Pharmacogenomics
Students explore how genetic variations affect drug response and metabolism. The course covers pharmacogenomic testing, personalized medicine strategies, and ethical considerations in genomic data interpretation.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly emphasizes project-based learning as a means of integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Mini-projects are assigned in the second year to introduce students to research methodologies and problem-solving techniques.
Mini-Projects
Mini-projects are conducted in groups of 3-5 students and typically last 6-8 weeks. Each project is supervised by a faculty member and focuses on a specific aspect of pharmaceutical science, such as drug synthesis, formulation development, or literature review. Projects are evaluated based on presentation quality, technical accuracy, and teamwork.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The final-year capstone project is an individual research endeavor that allows students to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. Students select their projects in consultation with faculty mentors and work independently for 12-16 weeks. The project culminates in a written thesis and a public presentation, demonstrating the student's ability to conduct original research and communicate findings effectively.
Project Selection Process
Students begin selecting their capstone projects during the seventh semester. Faculty mentors are assigned based on student interests and availability, ensuring alignment between project scope and academic guidance. Students must submit a proposal outlining their objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes before beginning their research.