MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS

CURRICULUM FOR
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACOLOGY
MSC (PHARMACOLOGY)

March 2011
1

1.

Introduction
The Master of Science course in Pharmacology is a two-year program.
Course work is done in two semesters and one recess term during the first
year. The second year is devoted to research and dissertation writing. Course
work consists of lecturers, tutorials, seminars and prescribed pharmacological
experiments. Students also participate in tutoring of undergraduate students
under supervision.

2.

3.

Program Justification
i)

Well-trained Pharmacologists are needed by Universities for teaching

and research. The Undergraduate health professional programs cannot
provide this expertise.

ii)

Pharmaceutical industries are on the increase in the country and the

demand for Pharmacologists is on the rise. This course is one way of
satisfying the demand for Research and Development officers in these
industries.

iii)

Pharmacologists are on demand in medical schools, sports programs,

and Ministry of Health training programmes for the paramedical
courses. Capacity building for the present and the future requires
developing this programme to ensure continuity and development.

iv)

Biomedical research related to drugs is emerging as a career, which

has increased the demand for pharmacologist. This course will help to
meet this demand.

v)

Local training of Pharmacologists is the only sure way of building

capacity and self-reliance in this discipline because it is cheaper than
training abroad.

Goals and Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide a sound knowledge of pharmacology
and experimental techniques used in assessing pharmacological responses in
biological systems to drugs. Candidates will also gain insight on how various
chemicals affect cellular systems. At the end of the programme, candidates
are expected to have achieved independence in planning, designing and
executing pharmacological studies.

4.

General Regulations
The regulations and guidelines for Masters Degrees of Makerere University
shall be applicable. These will include:
a) Guidelines for application, registration of research proposals
supervision and examination of dissertations.
b) Regulations on submission of progress reports and the final
dissertation.
c) Appointment of supervisors and examiners.

5.

Admission Requirements
The minimum entry requirements will be as follows:
a) MBChB or its equivalent
b) B.Pharm or its equivalent
c) B.Sc. (Zoology) from a recognized University
d) B.Sc. (Human Biology, Ethno botany,) from a recognized University
e) BVM or is equivalent
f) BDS or its equivalent
g) B.Sc. (Pharmacology) from a recognized University
h) B. Sc. (Nursing) from a recognized University
i) B.Sc. (Biochemistry) from a recognized University
For classified degrees, the minimum entry requirement shall be at least a
Second class degree level.

6.

Nature of the Curriculum

The MSc. Pharmacology is a full time programme running for four semesters
and one recess term. It will consist of course work and dissertation. The
course work will be conducted by lectures, seminars, tutorials and
demonstrations of prescribed experiments in Pharmacology. This will last two
semesters and one recess term during which the student will rotate through the
departments of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Expertise from the departments of Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry,
Medicine, and Psychiatry and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will be called
upon to assist in the teaching of relevant section of the course e.g.
psychological testing techniques, personality, memory, development of the
brain, etc. The student will spend the two semesters of the second year
designing and carrying out a research project on the basis of which a
dissertation will be written.

7.

Assessment and examinations

7.1

Progressive Assessments and Examinations

Since the programme of Master of Science in Pharmacology is semesterised,
there will be progressive assessments and examinations in each semester.
3

Progressive assessments will be in the form of written papers, reports of

pharmacological experiments and by participation in seminars and
undergraduate teaching.
The end of semester examinations will consist of:

7.2

Multiple Choice Questions

Essay Questions
Extended viva voce

Assessment and Grading

Each course will be assessed in two parts:
Course work (Progressive Continuous Assessment), which should contribute
40% of the total marks. Examinations shall be graded out of a maximum of
60% of the total marks. That each Course should be graded out of a
maximum of one hundred (100) marks and assigned appropriate letter grades
and grade points as follows:
Marks % Point
90-100
80-89
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
Below 40

Letter grade
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
E
E
F

Grade
5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0

Interpretation
Exceptional
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fairly good
Pass
Marginal fail
Clear fail
Bad fail
Qualified fail
Qualified fail

The minimum Pass mark in any course will be 60%. No credit should be
awarded for any course in which a student fails.
When a student has to re-sit a Course, he/she has to wait and re-sit that course
when it is next offered.
7.3

Progress

7.3.1

Normal Progress
To sit for the end of semester examination, a candidate must have a
certificate of due performance.
To progress from semester to semester and from first year to
second year, a candidate must score a minimum grade point of 2.0
in each course.
4

7.3.2

Probational Progress
A candidate who scores less than grade point 2.0 in a semester examination will
re-take the course when next offered, but may proceed to the next year.

7.3.3

Discontinuation
A candidate will be discontinued after obtaining:
3 consecutive probations in a core course, or
3 consecutive probations based on CPA or GPA

7.4

Dissertation
The dissertation shall conform to the standing guidelines and regulations of the
University on higher degrees. A candidate shall not be allowed to formally start
on research work unless he/she has passed year one examinations. A candidate
shall submit a research proposal to the Departmental Research Committee, which
will be scored in the first semester of the second year. The proposal will also be
approved by the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee.
The candidate shall hand in three copies of dissertation three months before the
end of Year II Semester II. To pass a dissertation, the candidate shall satisfy the
examiners in written dissertation and viva voce. A candidate, who fails to satisfy
examiners, shall resubmit a revised dissertation in accordance with the
recommendations of the external and internal examiners. Failure to satisfy the
panel of examiners in viva voce may lead to repeating the whole year or
discontinuation.

8.0

Award of the Degree

For the award of the degree, a candidate must pass all semester examinations and
dissertation. The Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacology shall be awarded
without classification.

9.0

Course Outline

9.1

Programme Course units

The program Course shall be conducted on the credit unit basis. One credit unit
shall be equivalent to one contact hour per week per semester or a series of 15
contact hours.
One contact hour is equivalent to one hour of
lecture/tutorial/seminars or two hours or practicals.

YEAR I
SEMESTER 1
Code
CEB 7101
PHA 7102
PHY 7103
PHA 7104

Course Title
Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Research
Methods
Recent Advances in General Pharmacology,
Neuropharmacology,
Psychopharmacology,
Toxicology and Clinical Trial Design
Advanced Physiological Chemistry, Body fluids,
Renal, Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular and
Respiratory Physiology
Biochemical Basis of Pharmacokinetics and Drug
Disposition

LH

TH

PH

CH

CU

30

20

40

60

04

30

60

30

75

05

30

60

30

75

05

15

30

30

30

02
16

TH

PH

CH

CU

45

45

75

05

60

30

75

05

TOTAL
Code
PHA 7201
PHY 7201

SEMESTER II
Course Title
LH
Advances in Chemotherapy, Chemoprophylaxis,
Cancer Therapy, Nutritional and Systemic 30
pharmacology.
Advanced Endocrinology and Reproductive
Physiology
30

PHY 7202

Advanced Neurophysiology

30

60

30

75

05

PHA 7202

Biochemical basis of Drug Action and Drug

Interactions
15

30

30

02
17

TOTAL
HMS 7301
PHA 7301

RECESS TERM
Health Systems Management
Advances in Experimental Pharmacology
TOTAL

20
10

32
20

48
110

60
75

05
05
10

PHA 8101
PHA 8102

YEAR II
Research proposal Writing
Research Project (Dissertation)
Total

10
10

30
10

100
120

75
75

05
05
10

Course details
Year I
Semester I
1.

CEB 7101: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Research Methods

Course objectives
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.

Describe and apply principles and methods of epidemiology

Describe and apply principles and methods of biostatics
Design a research proposal according to Makerere University guidelines

Description of course

Definition and application of Epidemiology, measuring health and disease

association; prevention; evaluation of health services; accuracy; precision and
bias;

Descriptive statistics; probability distributions;

Hypothesis testing; research question; problem statement; justification;

objectives; study design; population and sampling; sample size; variables and data
collection methods;

Data management and analysis; quality control; ethics; budgeting and accounting.

2. PHA7102: Recent Advances in General Pharmacology, Neuropharmacology,

Psychopharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Trial Design
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Discuss recent advances in mechanisms of drug action, metabolism and
disposition.
2. Describe the autonomic and central nervous receptors, their transmitters and
associated pathological lesions.
3. Discuss the drug development process and design clinical trials.
4. Describe drug toxicology, Toxikinetics and Toxidynamics.
5. Discuss the drugs used in mental illness and their mechanism of action.

Course Outline

Advances in General Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacokinetic

characteristics of Drugs, Pharmacogenetics.
Peripheral, Autonomic, and Central Nervous transmission
Advances in Toxicology; General effects of Drugs and other Chemicals,
Characteristics of adverse reactions to drugs and Poisons
Drug Discovery and Development; Pre-clinical Studies, Clinical Trials:
designing, ethics, meta-analysis and Drug registration

Central Neurotransmitters and their Pathway: Doperminergic, Cholinergic,

5HT, Noradrenaline Pathways, The Basal Ganglia, Reticular formation
and other structures significant in the Pathway, Morphine receptors and
Related Compound

Syndromes associated with transmission defects and their management;

Schizophrenia, Parkinsons disease, Depression, Alzheimers disease,
Mania and Hypomania, Guiles de la Tourettes Syndrome, Anxiety states,
Huntingtons disease.

Anticonvulsants and Anxiolytics: Benzodiazipines, Barbiturates, Newer

drugs in this group like Baspirone and others

Natural products including Traditional medicines

.Suggested readings:

3.

Goodman & Gilmans Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Rang & Dale, Ritter Moore, Pharmacology
Bertram G. Katzug, Basics Clinical Pharmacology
Lippincotts illustrated Reviews Pharmacology by Myak, Harvey &
Champe

PHY 7103: Advanced physiological chemistry, Body fluids, Renal,

Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course students should be able to:
1. Discuss recent advances in physiological chemistry and body fluids.
2. Discuss recent advances in renal, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and
respiratory physiology
3. Discuss the physiological basis of drug therapy.
Detailed Course Outline:
Advances in cell function; transport across cell membrane, electrolyte
distribution, nerve impulse generation, electrical and mechanical properties of
nerve and muscle, homeostatic mechanisms.
8

Body fluids; blood, lymph, cerebral spinal fluid, immunochemistry,

Blood: composition, cells function, indices, bile formation, hemostasis

coagulation, factors and process blood, blood grouping, transfusion, blood
composition and formation of coagulation, metabolism are covered including
anaemia hemoglobinopathies, transfusion reactions/disorders and jaundice
bile pigments.
Normal cardiovascular function and its regulation
Advanced physiology of the renal system
Control of respiration and pathophysiological adjustments to hypoxia.
Advances in Gastrointestinal physiology and factors affecting Nutrient
absorption

. Suggested Readings:
Physiology Guyton
Physiology by Ganong

4.

PHA 7104: Biochemical basis of Pharmacokinetics and Drug disposition

Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Describe in more detail the sites, principles and consequences of drug
biotransformation and drug disposition.
2. Discuss the drug biotransformation pathways, drug metabolizing enzyme
systems and enzyme polymorphisms.
3. Discuss abnormal pathways of drug biotransformation and their clinical
significance.
Detailed Course Outline:

Introduction to Drug Metabolism

Enzyme Kinetics
Components of the Mixed Function Oxidase and Drug Metabolism
Oxidative reactions other than the mixed Function Oxidase
Reductive Drug Metabolism
Conjugation Reactions
Drug Biotransformation in special conditions; Neonates, Elderly and
Pregnancy
Inherited Metabolic disorders
Genetic Variations in Drug Metabolism

Year I
Semester II
5.

PHA 7201: Advances in Chemotherapy, Chemoprophylaxis,

Therapy, Nutritional and Systemic pharmacology.

Cancer

Course Objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Discuss the principles of chemotherapy, classification and mechanisms of
action of antimicrobial agents and anticancer agents.
2. Discuss the mechanisms of resistance and resistance transfer.
3. Discuss advances in the treatment of diseases of main body systems.
4. Discuss the treatment, prevention of infections and infestations in medical
and veterinary practice.
5. Discuss the use of nutraceuticals in disease treatment and prevention
1.

Detailed Course Outline

History of Chemotherapy, Classification of Antibacterial agents and

Antiseptics, Mechanism of Action of Antibacterial Agents.
Development of Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents, transfer of
Resistance and mechanism of resistance
Antifungal Agents; Mechanism of action and associated side effects.
Antiviral agents; Mechanism of Action, recent developments in treatment
of HIV.
Anticancer Agents
Drugs used in the Cardiovascular diseases
Advances in Renal Pharmacology
Recent advances in Endocrine Pharmacology
Drugs acting on the Gastrointestinal System
Respiratory Pharmacology
Vitamins and vitaminoids and other nutraceuticals

Suggested readings:

Goodman & Gilmans Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Rang & Dale, Ritter Moore, Pharmacology
Bertram G. Katzug, Basics Clinical Pharmacology
Lippincotts illustrated Reviews Pharmacology by Myak, Harvey &
Champe
10

6.

PHY 7201: Advanced Endocrinology And Reproductive

Physiology

Objectives.
By the end of this course, the students will be able to:
Explain the general principles hormone action.
Discuss the functions and control of endocrine glands.
Assess endocrine glands of the productive system.
Content
Principles of hormones action;; specific functions of each endocrine gland its control
relations to other endocrine glands; male and female reproductive functions plus the
hormones involved; immunology; physiology of pregnancy and the new born; asses
endocrine glands.
PHY 7202: Advanced Neurophysiology
Objectives.
By the end of this course, the students will be able to:
Describe the histology and functions of excitable tissue.
Discuss the origin and function of the central nervous system (CNS).
Conduct neurological experiments to assess the CNS
Content
Physiology of excitable tissues; functions of sensory and motor cortex; posture,
movement and equilibrium;; automatic nervous system; special senses; sexual behavior;
learning and memory; assessment of nervous function and localization of lesions.
7.

PHA 7202: Biochemical basis of Drug Action and Drug Interactions

Course objectives:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Explain the cell structure and cellular processes as drug targets
2. Explain the principles of drug action including the role of second messengers
3. Discuss the mechanisms of drug toxicity.
4. Explain the science of drug interactions.
Detailed Course Outline:
Cell Structure
The cell membrane: Structure, ion channels and the action potential
Modes of Drug Action
11

The receptor concept and receptor structures

The second messengers
Biochemical Basis of Drug Interactions
Toxic Drug Metabolites and their effects on Cellular Structure
The role of Antioxidants

8.
Year I: Recess Term.
9. HMS 7301: Health Systems Management
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1.
2.

Outline the health policy and system

Lead the process of preparing strategic and operational plans for their
organizations.
Work with and supervise other health workers.
Undertake financial management.
Collect and utilize information for management decision-making.

3.
4.
5.
Contents:

Unit1: Concepts in health policy, planning and management.

Unit 2: Management of personnel in a health care organization.
Unit 3: Introduction to concepts in health economics and financial management.
Unit 4: Management of materials (drugs, medical supplies, medical equipment, transport
and health infrastructure.
Unit 5: Information systems and basic performance indicators.
Unit 6: Medico-legal aspects of health care management and regulation.
PHA 7301: Advances in Experimental Pharmacology

1.
2.
3.
4.
.

Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
Design and conduct pharmacology experiments.
Analyze data generated from tissue and animal studies
Establish animal models of common disease
Handle common pharmacological equipments
Course Outline

Agonist: Experimental determination and definition.

Antagonist: Experimental determination and definition.
Log-dose response curves: generation and interpretation.
12

Dissociation constants.
Intrinsic activity and efficacy: determination and derivation.
PD2 and PAx: values and determination.
Transmural stimulation.
Canulation of vessels and trachea.
Pitched animal preparations.
Toxicity testing: Acute, sub-acute and chronic testing techniques and
evaluation of results.
Contact hypersensitivity and skin irritancy testing techniques.
Allergic reactions and their classifications.
Extraction and isolation oaf pharmacologically active principles from natural
products.
Statistical evaluation of pharmacological experiments.

Suggested Readings:
Experimental Pharmacology by Gupta
Year II:
1. PHA 8101: Research proposal Writing
Course Objectives
At the end of the course students must be able to:
1. Analyze situations and identify research questions.
2. Formulate research hypothesis and test them
3. Present a proposal for critical appraisal.
Content outline:
Research; definition, types and importance
The research proposal; components and importance
Literature review
Sources of research data
Methods of research; sample size and data analysis.
2. PHA 8102: Research Project (Dissertation)
Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Conduct a research project
2. Manage data generated from a research project.
3. Summarize and report data generated from a pharmacological of clinical study.
Content outline:
Implementation of research proposal: desgning data collection tools,
13

Planning for data collection

Data Management and analysis
Data presentation
Report writing.

APPENDIX
Resources:
Physical Facilities
The program will be conducted with resources from the departments of Pharmacology
and Therapeutics, Physiology and Biochemistry. The three departments have wellestablished laboratories for postgraduate training. At the department of Pharmacology
and Therapeutics, there are postgraduate rooms to which are attached laboratories. There
is also a seminar room, which accommodates a well-stocked library.
Personnel
The existing members of the participating departments named above will conduct the
program. Specialists from the department of Medicine will be called upon to teaching in
the program. Notable here are topics in Renal and Respiratory physiology and cancer
chemotherapy.
The core staff to teach the program
Department of Pharmacology:
1. Prof. W.W. Anokbonggo MD., MSc., PhD
2. 3. Dr. C. Obua
MD. MSc.PhD
4. Dr. Paul Waako
MBChB, MSc., PhD

Professor
Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturer

Department of Biochemistry:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Dr. Haumba
Mr. Enyaru
Mr. Vuzi
Mr. Wamutu
Ms. Baigana

BSc., MSc., PhD

BSc., MSc.
BSc., MSc.
BSc., MSc.
BSc., MSc.

Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer

MBChB, MSc.

Senior Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer

Department of Physiology:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Dr. J.H. Okullo

Dr. J.N. Nakiboneka Mazzi MBChB, MSc.

Dr. M. Ebuk
Dr. J.N. Kasolo

MBChB, MSc.
MBChB, MSc.

14

Department of Medicine:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Dr. E. Mbidde
Dr. E. Kigonya
Dr. M. Okot-Nwang
Dr. Jackson Oryem

MBChB, Mmed.
MBChB, Mmed.
MBChB, Mmed.
MBChB, Mmed.

Senior Consultant Physician

Senior Consultant Physician
Senior Consultant Physician
Senior Consultant Physician

MBChB, Mmed.

Senior Consultant Physician

Department of Psychiatry:
Dr. Musisi Segane

BUDGET:
Source of Funding:
Tuition fee (Ugandans):

1,500,000= P x 7 students

Total income

10,500,000=

EXPENDITURE:
Particulars

Qty

Rate

a) Teaching
b) Administration
c) Examination

Covered by staff salary by Makerere

Office tea and entertainment by Makerere

Amount (Shs)

300,000=

Material supplies/office by Makerere University:

1. Photocopying paper
2. Toner for photocopier
3. Ruled paper
4. Manila papers
5. Markers
6. Assorted envelops
7. Chalk
8. Correction fluid
9. Ball pens
10. Computer paper
11. Printer cartridge
12. Laboratory reagents
Total Expenditure

20 reams
6No.
20 reams
12 dozens
10 dozens

7,500
150,000
7,500
12,000
10,000

7 boxes
4 boxes
8 pkts
8 boxes
6 No.

4,000
4,000
6,000
50,000
150,000

150,000=
900,000=
150,000=
144,000=
100,000=
40,000=
28,000=
16,000=
48,000=
400,000=
900,000=
7,324,000=
10,500,000=
15

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