Course Structure
The Pharmacy program at University Of Science And Technology Meghalaya is structured over eight semesters, with a carefully curated blend of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical sciences while offering flexibility to explore specialized areas of interest.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | CCredit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PH101 | Chemistry of Drugs | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PH102 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | PH103 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PH104 | Organic Chemistry | 4-0-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PH105 | Pharmacognosy | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 2 | PH201 | Pharmacology | 4-0-0-4 | PH101 |
| 2 | PH202 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 4-0-0-4 | PH104 |
| 2 | PH203 | Pharmaceutical Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | PH101 |
| 2 | PH204 | Pharmaceutics | 3-0-0-3 | PH101 |
| 2 | PH205 | Pharmacokinetics | 3-0-0-3 | PH201 |
| 3 | PH301 | Drug Delivery Systems | 3-0-0-3 | PH204 |
| 3 | PH302 | Medicinal Chemistry | 4-0-0-4 | PH202 |
| 3 | PH303 | Clinical Pharmacy | 3-0-0-3 | PH201 |
| 3 | PH304 | Toxicology | 3-0-0-3 | PH201 |
| 3 | PH305 | Pharmacovigilance | 3-0-0-3 | PH201 |
| 4 | PH401 | Regulatory Affairs | 3-0-0-3 | PH301 |
| 4 | PH402 | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 3-0-0-3 | PH301 |
| 4 | PH403 | Quality Assurance | 3-0-0-3 | PH203 |
| 4 | PH404 | Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | PH103 |
| 4 | PH405 | Pharmacoeconomics | 3-0-0-3 | PH201 |
| 5 | PH501 | Advanced Drug Design | 3-0-0-3 | PH302 |
| 5 | PH502 | Pharmaceutical Research | 3-0-0-3 | PH301 |
| 5 | PH503 | Pharmaceutical Marketing | 3-0-0-3 | PH401 |
| 5 | PH504 | Pharmaceutical Policy | 3-0-0-3 | PH401 |
| 6 | PH601 | Drug Development Project | 4-0-0-4 | PH502 |
| 6 | PH602 | Pharmaceutical Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | PH502 |
| 6 | PH603 | Industry Internship | 0-0-0-6 | PH502 |
| 7 | PH701 | Capstone Project | 4-0-0-4 | PH601 |
| 7 | PH702 | Pharmaceutical Ethics | 3-0-0-3 | PH401 |
| 7 | PH703 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacy | 3-0-0-3 | PH303 |
| 8 | PH801 | Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | PH701 |
| 8 | PH802 | Final Thesis | 0-0-0-6 | PH701 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental electives provide students with opportunities to explore specialized areas within pharmacy. These courses are designed to deepen understanding and prepare students for advanced research or industry roles.
- Drug Design and Development: This course focuses on the principles and techniques used in designing and developing new drugs. Students learn about molecular modeling, lead optimization, and drug discovery processes.
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Students explore the intersection of biotechnology and pharmacy, focusing on biopharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and recombinant protein production.
- Pharmaceutical Informatics: This course introduces students to the application of information technology in pharmaceutical research and development, including data mining and computational modeling.
- Pharmaceutical Economics: Students learn about cost-effectiveness analysis, health economics, and pharmaceutical market dynamics, preparing them for roles in regulatory affairs and policy.
- Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation: This course covers the regulatory frameworks governing pharmaceutical products, including drug approval processes, quality control standards, and international regulations.
- Personalized Medicine: Students explore the emerging field of personalized medicine, focusing on genetic variations, pharmacogenomics, and individualized treatment strategies.
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology: This course delves into the application of nanotechnology in drug delivery, focusing on nanoparticles, liposomes, and targeted therapies.
- Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance: Students learn about quality control systems, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Pharmacogenomics: This course explores how genetic variations affect drug response, enabling personalized treatment strategies and reducing adverse effects.
- Drug Delivery Systems: Students study various drug delivery mechanisms, including oral, injectable, and transdermal formulations, focusing on improving drug efficacy and safety.
- Pharmaceutical Research Methodology: This course teaches students the principles and practices of conducting pharmaceutical research, including experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
- Pharmaceutical Marketing: Students learn about marketing strategies specific to the pharmaceutical industry, including product positioning, brand management, and regulatory compliance in marketing.
- Pharmaceutical Ethics: This course addresses ethical issues in pharmaceutical research and practice, including informed consent, patient confidentiality, and responsible research conduct.
- Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurship: Students explore the entrepreneurial aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, including innovation, business development, and startup creation.
- Pharmaceutical Innovation and Technology: This course covers emerging technologies in pharmaceutical development, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is centered on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and practical application of knowledge. Students engage in both mini-projects and a final-year thesis, allowing them to explore real-world problems and develop solutions using scientific methods.
Mini-projects are undertaken in the third and fourth years, with students selecting topics based on their interests and the guidance of faculty mentors. These projects are typically completed in groups and involve literature review, experimental design, data collection, and presentation.
The final-year thesis is a significant component of the program, requiring students to conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students must demonstrate their ability to formulate research questions, design experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings effectively.
Evaluation criteria for projects include the quality of research, presentation skills, teamwork, and adherence to ethical standards. Faculty mentors play a crucial role in guiding students through the research process, ensuring that projects are both academically rigorous and practically relevant.