Pharmacy research programmes MPhil/PhD

  Institution: The University of Nottingham

Programme Description

Our PhD degrees are offered on a full-time, part-time, and also on a 2+1 basis. Part-time is available to Malaysian students only. The 2+1 structure allows you to complete two parts of your degree in Malaysia and one part of your degree in the UK. We also offer the opportunity for you to study for a year in the UK – projects under this scheme will be based upon the feasibility of the research undertaken and will require a co-supervisor at the UK campus. The full-time PhD would normally take three years of full-time research with a further year for writing up.

There are presently over 25 postgraduate students registered on the PhD programme, whilst a number of  our PhD graduates are now employed as pharmacy lecturers in  Malaysian universities.

Our MPhil degree may be awarded after one year of study – followed by a one year write-up period – if you or the University decides that this is a more appropriate qualification.

Our MPhil and PhD degrees are based on research in the School of Pharmacy. Some of the areas in which postgraduate degrees can be studied are given below.

Drug discovery

Molecular modelling and computational techniques:

• Modelling of proteins for rational drug design (Professor Doughty)

Pharmacognosy and pharmacology of natural products:

• Design, synthesis and evaluation of modified-Phenantroindolizidine analogues as anti-cancer agents (Dr KH Lim)
• Characterisation of immunostimulating agents from primary rain forest plants (Dr Wiart)
• Characterisation of bactericidal agents from primary rainforest plants (Dr Wiart)
• Studies on potential anticancer, bactericidal and immunomodulating properties of plant extracts derived from primary rainforest plants (Dr Wiart)
• Semi and total synthesis of plant secondary metabolites and its derivatives (Dr TJ Khoo)

Drug synthesis techniques

• Plant secondary metabolites as cholesterol lowering agents (Dr TJ Khoo)
• Synthesis and organometallic chemistry of Schiff base ligands (Dr TJ Khoo)

Drug delivery

• Improving oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs by way of fabrication to either enhance epithelial transfer or protect from effects of digestive fluids (Dr Billa)
• Formulation, gastrointestinal transit and absorption from nano-particular dispersions of amphotericin B (Dr Billa)
• Percutaneous permeation of palm oil using human skin (Dr Morris)

Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice

• Clinical governance in community pharmacy (Mr KT Wong)
• Pharmacovigilance (Mr KT Wong, Dr BY Low)
• Medication compliance (Mr KT Wong)
• Medication Errors (Mr KT Wong, Dr BY Low)
• Pharmacokinetics (Dr BY Low)

Entry Requirements

An upper second class honours (or international equivalent) degree or above in pharmacy or a related scientific discipline. This may be supplemented by an appropriate MSc.

Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved university

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (no elements below 6.0)

TOEFL (iBT): 88(no elements below 19)

PTE (Academic): 62 (minimum 55)

IELTS and TOEFL test results must be less  than 2 years old and all IELTS must be the  academic version of the test

Fees

Based in Malaysia: Malaysian – RM45,420 per year, Non-Malaysian – RM49,400 per year / 2+1 split scheme: Malaysian – RM70,300 per year, Non-Malaysian – RM70,300 per year

Mode

Based in Malaysia: Full-time, 1-2 years (MPhil), 3-4 years (PhD) / Part-time, 2-3 years (MPhil), 3-7 years (PhD) (Malaysianstudents only) / 2+1 split scheme (Malaysia and UK): Full-time, 3-4 yearsCareer

Source : The University of Nottingham