Master of Science in Pharmacology

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This curriculum describes the postgraduate courses, objectives, expectations, rules, and regulations for the Master of Science in Pharmacology program. Additionally, the modes of delivery as well as the guidelines for academic assessments are outlined. Importantly, the entry requirements into the program are mentioned. It is envisaged that this program will fill the need for pharmacologists and toxicologists, professionals who can contribute towards improving health care by way of evidence-based therapy, especially through drug-related and toxin-related research, in and outside Uganda. These professionals are also predicted to contribute towards the workforce in the growing pharmaceutical industry sector in the East African region and beyond, as well as contribute personnel to academia, both in the biomedical and clinical fields.

It is important to highlight the fact that this curriculum is an improvement of a pre-existing curriculum that has been run in the Department of Pharmacology on a term system since the academic year 2005/2006. It must also be emphasized that the Department of Pharmacology teaches applied pharmacology to other postgraduate Programmes including the Master of Medicine (MMed) in Surgery, MMed in Obstetrics and Gynecology, MMed in Dermatology, MMed (Emergency Medicine), and the Masters of Nursing Science in Critical Care. Hence, because of a general increase in postgraduate student enrollment, there is need to increase recruitment of senior academic staff to meet the requirements for postgraduate training in the department. Notably, academic staff who teach in the postgraduate Programmes, also teach several undergraduate courses in pharmacology during each semester. This curriculum does not describe the courses in applied pharmacology for the other postgraduate Programmes. The contents for applied pharmacology for the different MMed Programmes are described in their respective curricula.

Master of Science in Pharmacology

The Master of Science in Pharmacology program started in 2005 and several students have graduated from this program. Because the current trend shows an increase in both undergraduate and postgraduate student enrollments in all universities in Uganda, it is necessary that an accompanying increase in academic staff ensue.  The development of this curriculum is one contribution to the increase of a body of teachers in pharmacology in particular, besides training of professionals needed to continue research with an overall goal of advancements in health care practice and development of therapeutic agents in Uganda and beyond. This current curriculum is a modification of the already existing curriculum after a 5-year circle of implementation in each circle. A lot of improvement has been included in this current Masters of Science in Pharmacology to make it relevant to the current needs.

Programme justification

With the increased need for professionals capable of developing therapeutic agents and advancing research on drugs and local herbal products in Uganda, there is need to train more pharmacologist in Uganda. Currently the number of pharmacologist in Uganda is quite low and many Universities lacking lecturers in Pharmacology, there is yet need to train more pharmacologist with the relevant skills to the needs of Uganda, East Africa and Africa. The department of pharmacology and Therapeutics at MUST is committed to this course.

Career and employment opportunities for MSc in pharmacology

Graduates of the MSc in pharmacology can work in a competitive scientific environment such as in pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and academia which involves training future health care workers such as medical doctors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and medical laboratory scientist. These graduates can also be employed to carry out pharmaceutical industry basic research to solve problems in society, industries, manufacturing, and drug discovery from natural sources.

Overall aim of the Programme

The aims of the MSc in Pharmacology program are to train graduate students in pharmacology who are knowledgeable, skilled and with the right attitude to advance the practice of pharmacology wherever they will be.

Specific objectives

1. Produce graduates with knowledge and skills necessary to function as teachers in a medical college or as consultants in hospitals or pharmaceutical establishments.
2. Develop the abilities for initiative, creativity and leadership.
3. Be able to utilize the qualities of sound judgment and logic in the critical analysis of scientific data.
4. Develop interest and skills in research, advance research into local medicinal products to produce locally effective drugs

Programme Learning Outcome

1. Produce Competent pharmacologist and Toxicologist
2. Advance drug research in the country
3. Produce Teachers of Pharmacology for the country
4. Contribute to community development through advanced therapeutic research.

Innovations

More course units to deliver hands-on experience in laboratories relevant to pharmacology practices have been added to this current curriculum, including courses on pedagogy to prepare our graduates as teachers of pharmacology. Also seminars to prepare graduates for public presentations of research findings have been added. Placement in research Institutions and industries have also been added to this new curriculum which we think will deliver better training than before. The department has adopted the use of Open distance and e-learning (ODeL) in areas where it’s applicable.

Curriculum structure

Year 1, SEMESTER 1

Year 1, SEMESTER 2

Year 1, SEMESTER 3 (RECESS)

Year 2, SEMESTER 1

  Year 2, SEMESTER 2