Undergraduate Academic Programmes
The Pharmacology Division is a service department that trains all students in healthcare and science degrees in the subject of Pharmacology. These degrees include:
Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Pharmacy III
The Pharmacology course for B.Pharmacy III provides students with an understanding of basic terms and principles of Pharmacology with special reference to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, clinical pharmacological concepts used in the diagnosis, prevention, rational treatment and management of diseases. The course is assessed by online, in group tutorials, scheduled class tests and a final year exam.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy IV
In fourth year pharmacy, Pharmacology provides the student with specific drug-related information which makes the pharmacist unique from other health care professionals. In this year of study, the students are guided into a more “in-depth” approach to Pharmacology, which includes the individualised analysis of drug interactions, adverse effects, toxicology and clinical practice guidelines. The course is assessed by online and group tutorials, scheduled class tests and a final year exam.
The Pharmacology Division also offers several diverse experimental and clinical projects in order for students to complete the Special Research Project in the fourth year of study.
Bachelor of Dentistry III
The Pharmacology course for BDS III is aimed at educating future dentists in basic pharmacological principles that explain how drugs interact within the body; and, furthermore to equip the students with sufficient knowledge to enable him/her to make a clinically appropriate decision when faced with a problem in the clinical setting. Dentists must know about the drugs that are available to make dental procedures more comfortable for their patients and how to therapeutically manage oral disease. The course is assessed by scheduled class tests and a final year exam.
Bachelor of Nursing III
The B.Nursing III Pharmacology course is aimed to educate future nurses in the basic pharmacological principles which will guide them in understanding the drugs they administer to patients on a daily basis. This training includes explanations on how drugs interact within the body and help to equip the student with sufficient knowledge to enable him/her to make a clinically appropriate decision when faced with a problem in the work setting. The understanding of pharmacological principles relating to the various drug classes is emphasised from all organ systems including reproduction, cardiovascular, endocrinology as well as in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The course is assessed by online tutorials, scheduled class tests and a final year exam.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy III
The half-course in Pharmacology designed especially for the Physiotherapy III students is aimed to educate students in basic pharmacological principles. This includes explaining how drugs interact within the body and vice versa. The core knowledge will equip the student with sufficient knowledge to enable him/her to make an appropriate decision when working in a clinical setting. The understanding of pharmacological principles relating to the various drug classes is emphasised in all organ systems including drugs in cardiovascular, respiratory and the central nervous system, as well as in infections and drugs used and abused in sport. The course is assessed by online tutorials, scheduled class tests and a final year exam.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) and Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) degrees:
- MBBCh III/GEMP I and MBBCh IV/GEMP II
The Pharmacology course in delivered to this large group of students provides the future doctors of our country with a foundation for therapeutics in subsequent phases of clinical training and practice. Students have immediate access to detailed, regularly updated peerâreviewed evidence and the complete pharmacological profiles of drugs. The course provides learners with clinical pharmacological concepts used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of systemic diseases. The course is continuously assessed during the year with various tools. The Pharmacology Division is also actively involved in facilitating the Problem-Based Learning cases delivered duringthe year.
- MBBChIV/GEMP III
The Pharmacology Division offers various tutorials and lectures during the year to revisit essential core concepts and to provide further detailed information a three week elective project as part of the GEMP III course.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Pharmacology) III
The Pharmacology course is offered as a major in the third year of study towards a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. The course consists of a theory component and a laboratory portfolio. The theory component covers core topics of Pharmacology, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, gastro-intestinal and central nervous systems. The laboratory portfolio introduces the students to various experimental and clinical research concepts and tools, which allow for a basic understanding of various research strategies if the student wishes to continue towards a BHSc honours degree in Pharmacology. A pre-requisite for admission includes the successful completion of a 2nd year Physiology course at a level of a C.