Institute of Graduate Studies and Research

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Duration 5 Years

Apply

About
Curriculum
Entry Requirements
Fees & Scholarships

About the Program

The aim of the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program is to educate current and prospective pharmacists with pharmacy-related M.Sc. degree, with Ph.D.-level education in many fields of pharmacy such as pharmaceutical technology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology. The objectives of the program are to educate students who will play an important role in the development of our university and will further the scientific studies and contribute to the scientific literature. The mission of the program is to develop scientists who always follow the latest technological and scientific developments and adopt the philosophy of critical thinking with an evidence-based, multidisciplinary, collaborative thinking structure. The vision of the program is to pioneer the latest scientific developments, be the cornerstone of the scientific improvement of universities, and contribute to the production of quality science in the development of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences in the world and the region.

Education Opportunities

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program aims to develop students in the field of pharmaceutics and provide them with a strong knowledge foundation. The curriculum consists of two compulsory courses in pharmaceutical sciences; technical elective courses on specific topics such as pharmacology, pharmaceutical technology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutical biotechnology; a seminar; and a thesis. The courses are chosen by the students in consultation with their course advisor and can be selected from the list of offered Ph.D. courses. Research methods course offered to the students target to improve students’ research abilities. A thesis supervisor who is an expert in their field is assigned to each student in order to assist the student in preparing the seminar and designing a plan of study for the thesis on a particular pharmaceutical sciences focus area. Students continue their laboratory studies in the modern laboratories of CIU, equipped with the most advanced equipment on the island.

Career Areas

Within the scope of the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, students will be able to solve problems in research and development studies and / or work in projects that will bring innovation to science and technology. It is possible to conduct some of these studies in related industries and abroad within the scope of international collaborations. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences will be employed as academics in the faculties of pharmacy, health, engineering as well as being hired by drug and cosmetics industry, and in laboratories related to biomedical sciences. Ph.D. graduates of Pharmaceutical Sciences will be supported to take part in these fields and improve themselves. As a result, they would be highly experienced scientists and would also help our society in the fields related with pharmaceutics.

Contact

Institute of Graduate Studies and Research
Graduate Sciences and Education Center, GE106
Tel: +90 392 671 1111 Extension: 2776
Institute E-mail: ciu-institute@ciu.edu.tr

Compulsory Courses

First Semester

ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS

Course code

PSCI601

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

The research methods course introduces student to principal and modern concepts of research. This course helps the student to build an analytical and systematic link between theory and practice. Students will be able to develop skills in carrying out literature search using electronic databases, catalogues and print media using proper referencing methods, conduct preliminary literature review, familiarize in experimental methods as well as practice analyzing and interpreting data. Students are expected to recognise the significance of technological innovations, professional and ethical responsibilities in research. Students will be able to analyze and present research results in writing and in oral presentations as well as understanding scope and limits of qualitative and qualitative research methodologies.

MOLECULAR APPROACHES IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Course code

PSCI611

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

AREA ELECTIVE

Course code

PSCIXX1

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

AREA ELECTIVE

Course code

PSCIXX2

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Second Semester

Philosophy of Science

Course code

PHIL601

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

This course will follow three main paths: Firstly it will introduce philosophy to doctoral students. The meaning of philosophy, its scope, its sub-branches and its different schools will be the subject topic of the first weeks. Then the course will focus on the relation of philosophy with the sources of knowledge and different sciences. Here, Rationalism, Empiricism and Intuitionism will be covered during the following weeks. In the remaining weeks the course will concentrate on philosophy of science and scientific ethics. Logical positivism, paradigm changes, falsificationism, the questions of “what is science”, “what is pseudo-science?”, “what is the relation between theory and reality?” are amongst topics that will be covered. Finally, the course will concentrate on ethical theories and will particularly cover scientific ethics.

ADVANCED PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Course code

PSCI602

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

This multidisciplinary, integrated course, introduces the students to the modern concepts and applications used in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. This course, focused on principles of carrying out laboratory based, molecular, basic research, covers main techniques and technologies used in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences as well as providing information on their daily use in research labs. Students are expected to learn and effectively used several search portals to access prominent papers in the field and read/reference/present the discussed techniques/discoveries effectively. They are also expected to write and present research proposals covering the discussed techniques and topics as well as evaluating their and their peers’ work critically.

SEMINAR

Course code

PSCI690

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

In the seminar course, students are expected to carry out literature review on the particular subject they are planning to develop their theses on. Students are expected to use published research articles and the electronic databases that they are presented on efficiently and excell at reaching the information needed to carry out a successful research project. While carrying out literature review, students will also be trained on forming a hypothesis and gaining critical thinking skills to reach the ability in critically evaluating both published and ongoing work as well as the project that they will be working on to complete their theses. The seminar course will introduce the students with scientific writing skills as well as enhancing their presentation skills in group setting.

AREA ELECTIVE

Course code

PSCIXX3

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Third Semester

THESIS

Course code

PSCI600

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

160

This course includes supervisor independent research on a topic agreed between the student and the supervisor (a faculty member) that is also approved by the Administrative Committee of the institution of Graduate studies. Research leads to production of a thesis. It must provide contributions to the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Student must register to this course on no later than the fourth semester of his/her PhD. study. Thesis will be evaluated by a jury of five members of the university and two from other universities. The jury will decide if the subject is relevant to overall aims and objectives of the program and if the university facilities can cover the whole process.

QUALIFYING EXAM

Course code

PSCI650

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Elective Courses

BASICS IN PHARMACOLOGY

Course code

PSCI624

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Topics include the terms and definitions in Pharmacology, drug nomenclature, drug classification, drug formulations, principles of rational drug usage, mechanisms for diffusion and transport of drugs within the body, routes for drug administration, principals of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, apparent volume of distribution and clinical importance, clinical concepts for drug clearence, adjustment of drug dosages in hepatic and renal disorders, factors influencing drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, reasons of variability in drug responses between individuals, drug-drug, drug-diet and drug-test interactions, pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic aspects in drug action, drug usage in special patient populations such as childhood, elderly and pregnancy, theories for mechanisms of drug effect, and concentration-effect relationships.

POISONOUS PLANTS

Course code

PSCI628

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

In this course, the important poisonous plants used in the Mediterranean countries and their characteristics will be introduced. Information will be given about the regions where the plants are distributed, their characteristics and the points that should be taken into consideration in their use for therapeutic purposes. The Family and the genus of the species like Digitalis ferruginea (Scrophulariaceae), Atropa belladonnae (Solanaceae), Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae), Colchicum autumnale (Liliaceae), Matricaria chamomilla and Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae), which of them have ethnobotaniccal use to threat various diseases. Plant collection, drying, storage and how to use the plants will be described. Due to the toxic compounds they contain, information will be given about the issues needs to be taken into consideration during use. In addition, literature review of poisonous plants with medicinal use will be explained.

CHRONOBIOLOGY AND CHRONOPHARMACOLOGY

Course code

PSCI623

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

The main topics are molecular basis of biological rhythms, internal clocks and their messengers, principles of clinical chronobiology, physiology and pharmacology of melatonin, data processing in chronobiological studies, rhythmic variations in the activity of gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine systems in healthy and unhealthy conditions, chronobiology of human sleep and sleep disorders, chronobiology of blood pressure and chronotherapy in cardiovascular disorders, nocturnal asthma and chronotherapy, chronobiology in laboratory medicine, cancer chronobiology and treatment approaches, and administration time dependent differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Chronobiological implications for the treatment of sleep disorders, chronotoxicology, pain management and shift-work related outcomes of health will also be considered.

TECHNIQUES IN TISSUE CULTURE AND CELLULAR BIOENGINEERING

Course code

BIOE502

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

This is a course will begin with introducing practical skills for the isolation of animals cells for in vitro studies, maintenance of animal cells in vitro, manipulation of animal cells in vitro, and application of molecular techniques to in vitro situations. This course also designed to bridge cell biology with engineering. At the completion of this course, the students should be able to: Discuss the molecular and cellular basis of life from an engineering perspective, identify crucial molecular parameters involved in cellular events measure and manipulate molecular parameters experimentally, apply engineering principles, concepts, and mathematical modelling in studying molecular parameters, cell structure, function, and appropriately capture the salient features of the cellular phenomena. In addition, the students should be able to manipulate the behaviour of biological cells, examine structure-function relationship and explore and criticize the existing and emerging technologies that exploit and extend our knowledge of molecular and cell biology.

METABOLISM AND CELLULAR ADAPTATION

Course code

BIOE636

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

OPTICAL IMAGING TECHNIQUES

Course code

BIOE504

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Students will attend lectures on the theory and underpinnings of optical imaging techniques in bioengineering, including light, fluorescent and electron microscopy and imaging. Emerging techniques such as “optogenetics” will also be covered. Practical instruction will be given in the use of light, fluorescent and electron microscopes, with samples prepared by the students.

TECHNIQUES IN MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING

Course code

BIOE601

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

MORPHOLOGICAL AND MICROSCOPIC DEFINITIONS OF VEGETABLE DRUGS

Course code

PRCO512

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

MEDICINAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NATURAL PRODUCTS

Course code

PSCI607

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

The natural products obtained from plants, microorganisms, algae etc. and their biomedical uses will be studied in this course. A discussion of bioassay-directed screening, the isolation, structure determination, biosynthesis, partial synthesis and total chemical synthesis of organic natural products of medicinal significance. Examples of the classes of compounds to be considered include steroid hormones, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, antibiotics, terpenes, and the like. Different plants used in pharmaceutical sciences and biomedical sciences as well as the potential of not yet studied plants will be evaluated. Extraction methods aimed at extracting the active ingredients and the methods used to test these ingredients on eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells will be discussed.

FERMENTATION MICROBIOLOGY

Course code

BIOE531

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

CANCER BIOLOGY

Course code

BIOE628

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

ADVANCED PHARMACOGNOSY I

Course code

PRCO503

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

The plant and animal kingdom as source of drugs, General methods associated with the phytochemical investigation pf herbal products; Extraction of plant Material, separation and isolation of constituents: Sublimation, distillation, Fractional liberation, fractional chrystallization, Adsorbsion chromatography, Partition chromatagraphy, High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ThinLayer Chromatography(TLC), Gas-Liquid chromatography, Gel filtration chromatography, Electrochromatography, Basic metabolic pathways and the origin of secondary metabolites; Enzymes, Photosynthesis, Carbohydrate utilization, Glycosides, Fats and Fatty acids,, Aromatic biosynthesis, The shikimic acid pathway, The acetate hypothesis Amino acids biosynthesis, Peptides and proteins, Isoprenoid compounds The mevalonic acid pathway, Secondary metabolites, Stress compounds, Discovering new lead compounds in pharmaceutical research and development. Phytochemical variation within a species.

RESEARCH ETHICS

Course code

PSCI605

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Ethical aspects of research, both at the clinical, molecular and pharmaceutical level are discussed in this course. Ethical regulations of drug research in humans, local and national ethics committees, duties and responsibilities of the Declaration of Helsinki, regulations about the drug research, good clinical practice guidelines, good laboratory practices, bias in research and clinical trials, randomization, blinded and nonblinded trials, informed written consent, placebo-ethics, nocebo-ethics, special patient groups and private drug trials on the methods to be used in children, pregnant women and the elderly, drug research, drug research about the regulations. Using experimental controls and interpretation of experimental results that will ultimately affect human life and well-being will also be discussed.

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS

Course code

PSCI608

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

The molecular mechanisms utilized by microbes of different sorts used in pathogenesis are covered in the Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis course. The methods used by bacteria, viruses and parasites in causing disease are thoroughly discussed as well as mechanisms associated with drug efficacy and resistance. Molecular pathways used by microorganisms to assemble virulence factors and host-pathogen interactions are discussed with the help of primary research articles. The students are encouraged to apply molecular techniques in microbiology as part of writing proposals and presentations as well as reading articles to present in journal clubs. Students are expected to critically review and evaluate published papers in the field.

ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY

Course code

PSCI609

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

In this course molecular techniques used in biotechnology and biotechnological tools are discussed. Students are expected to be able to fully classify, implement and express the molecular basis of major biotechnology techniques. Describing, applying and assessing the basic principles and techniques of pharmaceutical biotechnology are among the covered topics. In this course, students will learn how to illustrate, judge and critically evaluate the important features of new advances in pharmaceutical biotechnology as well as being able to search and interpret multidisciplinary scientific articles. As part of the interactive course plan, the students will also get to gain experience in critically reflecting, summarizing and presenting on biotechnology methods and techniques using scientific literature.

PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY-II

Course code

PHAR305

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

By the completion of Pharmaceutical Technology II course, the students are expected to gain vast understanding in Rheology, colloidal dispersions, aerosols, suspensions and technological properties of emulsions, ointments transdermal drug carrier systems, suppositories and cosmetics are the main topics. Sterile dosage forms and drug carrier systems, parenteral dosage forms, ophthalmic solutions, suspensions, ointments, nasal and otic preparations, sterilization techniques, aseptic technique, sterile formulation routes, solid dosage forms and drug carrier systems, powders, granules, capsules, tablets, solid oral drug carrier systems, coating processes and techniques, quality control techniques applied to dosage forms, validation, packaging of products, introduction to new modern dosage forms and tools (microspheres, liposomes, etc.).

TECHNIQUES IN TISSUE CULTURE AND CELLULAR BIOENGINEERING

Course code

BIOE602

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOENGINEERING II

Course code

BIOE633

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

PHARMACEUTICAL TOXICOLOGY I

Course code

PHAR308

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

PHARMACOLOGY I

Course code

PHAR210

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

HEALTHCARE, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND DIGITALIZATION

Course code

HCOM567

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Technological developments and digital technologies change lives and completely reconstruct the health environment. Digital developments take patients to the center, and a new status quo and new roles are emerging for both the patient and health professionals and specialists. To this end, this course will inform the health sector employees of developments and new technologies and will increase the awareness of the participants about digitalization. The course will focus on developments and changes in the sector. The trends that shape the future of health and medicine, strengthened patients, health games, augmented reality and virtual reality, telemedicine and remote care, personalized medicine, and hospitals of the future are among the topics to be covered in this course.

INJECTABLE DOSAGE FORMS

Course code

PSCI619

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Pyrogen and control methods, water purification (FILTRATION) ion exchange, reverse osmosis, distillation, heat transfer, water for injection free from dissolved gas, CO2 free water are the main subjects which will be discussed in this course. Routes of administration, solvent used for parenteral dosage forms will be covered. Besides, hardness of water, types of water, water purification methods , distillation, as well as heat transfer, pyrogen tests, storage of water, CIP and SIP, formulation of injectable dosage forms, visual inspection and automatic inspection systems; mixing vessels, types of stirrers, isotonicity, dialysis solutions, filtration, sterilization, containers consisting of glass and plastic; closures, washing of containers and closures; filling of ampules, HVAC system, environmental cleanliness will be widely discussed in this lecture.

Philosophy of Science

Course code

PHIL601

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

PHARMACOGNOSY-I

Course code

PHAR301

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

This course comprises pharmacopoeial and related drugs of biological origin; quality control of crude drugs. Hydrocarbons and derivatives; fatty acids, fats, fixed oils, waxes and balsam containing drugs, carbohydrates; monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, algal polysaccharides, homogeneous polysaccharides, heterogenous polysaccharides, carbohydrate containing drugs of biological origin. Phenols and phenolic glycosides; simple phenolic compounds, tannins, antraquinones and glycosides, flavone and related flavonoid glycosides anthocyanidins and glycosides, phenols and phenolic glycosides containing drugs. Coumarins and coumarin containing drugs. PHR 301 Lab comprises microscopic examination of powdered vegetable drugs; starches (potato starch, corn starch, rice starch), barks (Cinchona, cascara, cinnamon), roots and rhizomes (Liquiritia, Rhubarb, Ginger), Leaves (Senna, Digitalis, Hyoscyamus, Rosmary, Sage), Fruits (Anise), Seeds (Linseed), Flowers (Chammomile), examination of unknown samples.

PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY-I

Course code

PHAR202

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

By the completion of this course, the students are expected to gain information regarding the solution and solution dosage form and be able to understand solubility ad dissolution rate, understand bioequivalence and to assess the methods to measure bioavailability. The students are also expected to understand patent protection and learn aqueus and non-aqueus solvents as well as incompatibility. The subjects to be covered include vaporization, types of solutions and solid solutions, solubility and the factors on solubility. Miceller solubilization as well as formulation and formulation additives will be covered. Stability and the factors that affect stability are discussed in addition to dissolution. Solution dosage forms, syrups, water and aromatic waters are discussed as well as extraction. Pharmaceutical Technology I Lab. : Preparation of aromatic waters, oral solutions, syrups, elixir, oral drops, lemonade, infusions, mouth washes are performed.

PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Course code

PHAR401

Credit

Theoretical

Practical

Ects

Applications of recombinant DNA technology in the pharmaceutical sciences, PCR and mutagenesis in gene engineering, biotechnology derived protein products, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and pharmaceutical applications, gene therapy, and viral and non-viral delivery of gene therapeutics, usage of transgenic animals for production of biopharmaceuticals, analytical methods used in pharmaceutical biotechnology, mechanisms and causes of protein purification/destabilization, methods used to evaluate protein pharmaceuticals, developments in protein drug delivery, regulatory aspects of biotechnology-based pharmaceuticals, principles of cell culture, preparation, and maintenance of cell lines will be covered. Vaccines, immunoglobulin products, monoclonal antibodies, products containing cells or microorganisms, interferons, therapeutic proteins derived from plants, animals, humans, or microorganisms, and recombinant versions of these products, and quality control of biological products and regulatory issues are also included with particular attention to methods.

TRNC
International

Students who are interested in pursuing advanced graduate studies leading to a master’s, doctoral degree or professional doctorate degree for the Fall and Spring semesters every year. Applicants can directly apply online to our graduate programs using the application portal.

TRNC Applicants- Required documents:

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Diploma
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree transcripts for each completed academic term/year.
Documents to prove English proficiency for English language departments,
Scanned copy of passport or identity card.

Click for detailed admission requirements information.

Students who are interested in pursuing advanced graduate studies leading to a master’s, doctoral degree, or professional doctorate degree for the Fall and Spring semesters every year. Applicants can directly apply online to our graduate programs using the application portal.

International Applicants- Required documents:

A valid Bachelor’s Degree and transcripts for each completed academic term/year.
A valid Master’s Degree and transcripts for each completed academic term/year.
Evidence of English Language competence: TOEFL (65 IBT) or IELTS (5.5). Students without these documents will take the CIU English proficiency exam on campus following arrival.
Scanned copy of international passport/birth certificate
CV
Ph.D. research proposal
Fully completed and signed CIU Rules and Regulations document (which can be downloaded during the online application)

Click for detailed admission requirements information.

Scholarships
Fees

Cyprus International University provides academic scholarships for its students as an incentive for success, with most students benefiting from 50%, 75% or 100% scholarships or discounted tuition fees. Click for more information.

Tuition Fees are determined at the beginning of each academic year. Candidate students who are entitled to enroll in CIU can learn their fees in line with the Tuition Fee Calculation system.