Course Structure Overview
The Pharmacy program at Nist University Ganjam is structured over eight semesters, combining foundational courses, core pharmacy disciplines, departmental electives, and hands-on laboratory experiences. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare students for professional practice in diverse areas of pharmaceutical sciences.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHM 101 | Chemistry for Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PHM 102 | Organic Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PHM 103 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | PHM 104 | Biology for Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PHM 105 | Mathematics I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PHM 106 | Physics for Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 2 | PHM 201 | Organic Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 102 |
| 2 | PHM 202 | Biochemistry | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 104 |
| 2 | PHM 203 | Pharmacognosy | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 2 | PHM 204 | Pharmaceutical Analysis | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 101, PHM 201 |
| 2 | PHM 205 | Mathematics II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 105 |
| 2 | PHM 206 | Physics II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 106 |
| 3 | PHM 301 | Pharmacology I | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 202, PHM 203 |
| 3 | PHM 302 | Toxicology | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 202 |
| 3 | PHM 303 | Medicinal Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 201, PHM 202 |
| 3 | PHM 304 | Pharmaceutical Technology I | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 204 |
| 3 | PHM 305 | Pharmacy Practice I | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 3 | PHM 306 | Statistics for Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 105 |
| 4 | PHM 401 | Pharmacology II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 301 |
| 4 | PHM 402 | Medicinal Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 303 |
| 4 | PHM 403 | Pharmaceutical Technology II | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 304 |
| 4 | PHM 404 | Pharmacy Practice II | 2-0-0-2 | PHM 305 |
| 4 | PHM 405 | Drug Delivery Systems | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 304 |
| 4 | PHM 406 | Pharmacogenomics | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 202 |
| 5 | PHM 501 | Clinical Pharmacy I | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 401, PHM 404 |
| 5 | PHM 502 | Pharmaceutical Research Methods | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 306 |
| 5 | PHM 503 | Regulatory Affairs | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 301 |
| 5 | PHM 504 | Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 304 |
| 5 | PHM 505 | Public Health Pharmacotherapy | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 401 |
| 5 | PHM 506 | Bioinformatics in Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 202, PHM 306 |
| 6 | PHM 601 | Advanced Drug Delivery Systems | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 405 |
| 6 | PHM 602 | Pharmacokinetics | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 301, PHM 401 |
| 6 | PHM 603 | Pharmaceutical Formulation Development | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 403 |
| 6 | PHM 604 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 202 |
| 6 | PHM 605 | Industry Internship | 0-0-0-6 | PHM 301, PHM 401, PHM 501 |
| 7 | PHM 701 | Research Project | 0-0-0-8 | PHM 502, PHM 601 |
| 7 | PHM 702 | Capstone Thesis | 0-0-0-10 | PHM 701 |
| 7 | PHM 703 | Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurship | 2-0-0-2 | PHM 503, PHM 603 |
| 8 | PHM 801 | Final Internship | 0-0-0-10 | PHM 701, PHM 702 |
| 8 | PHM 802 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacy | 3-1-0-4 | PHM 501 |
| 8 | PHM 803 | Pharmaceutical Policy and Ethics | 2-0-0-2 | PHM 501 |
Detailed Course Descriptions
The following are descriptions of advanced departmental elective courses offered in the Pharmacy program:
Pharmacogenomics
This course explores how genetic variations influence individual responses to medications, enabling personalized treatment strategies. Students will learn about genotyping techniques, pharmacogenomic databases, and clinical applications in drug therapy management.
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
This advanced course delves into the design and development of novel drug delivery mechanisms, including nanoparticles, microspheres, and transdermal patches. Emphasis is placed on formulation optimization, controlled release profiles, and biocompatibility testing.
Pharmacokinetics
This course provides an in-depth understanding of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. Students will analyze pharmacokinetic models and apply them to predict drug behavior in various populations.
Pharmaceutical Formulation Development
This course focuses on the scientific principles and practical methods involved in developing pharmaceutical formulations. Topics include excipient selection, stability testing, and regulatory considerations for formulation development.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
This course introduces students to biotechnological applications in pharmaceutical research, including recombinant DNA technology, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapy approaches. It covers both theoretical concepts and practical lab techniques.
Regulatory Affairs
This course examines the regulatory frameworks governing pharmaceutical product development and commercialization. Students will learn about FDA, EMA, and other global regulatory agencies, compliance strategies, and documentation requirements.
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
This advanced course provides hands-on experience in clinical pharmacy settings, focusing on patient-centered care, drug therapy monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare teams.
Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
This course covers quality control measures, good manufacturing practices (GMP), and risk assessment techniques in pharmaceutical production. Students will learn to implement quality assurance systems that ensure product safety and efficacy.
Bioinformatics in Pharmacy
This interdisciplinary course integrates computational methods with pharmacy practice, covering data analysis, database mining, and bioinformatics tools used in drug discovery and development.
Public Health Pharmacotherapy
This course explores the role of pharmacists in public health initiatives, including disease prevention programs, community outreach, and policy development related to medication access and use.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The Pharmacy program at Nist University Ganjam places significant emphasis on project-based learning as a core pedagogical approach. This methodology integrates academic theory with real-world applications, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaborative work environments.
Mini-projects are assigned throughout the program, starting from the second year. These projects involve small groups of students working under faculty supervision to tackle specific challenges in pharmaceutical research or practice. Examples include developing a new drug formulation, analyzing adverse event reports, or designing a public health campaign for medication adherence.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a comprehensive endeavor that allows students to conduct original research or develop an innovative solution to a significant problem in the field of pharmacy. Students are paired with faculty mentors based on their interests and career goals, ensuring personalized guidance throughout the process.
Project selection involves a rigorous evaluation process where students present proposals to a panel of faculty members. The final decision considers factors such as feasibility, relevance to current industry needs, potential for innovation, and alignment with student aspirations.