MSc Pharmacology: Course, Subjects, Scope

An MSc Pharmacology, often known as a Master of Science in Pharmacology, is a postgraduate study in pharmacy or medical science. Pharmacology is the discipline of medicine and biology that researches and studies medication or drug activity. The course comprises developing hypotheses in a specific field of pharmacological research and testing them through active research. The course teaches aspiring doctors to research new drugs and to write proper prescriptions along with their medico-legal implications, as well as how to flourish and become good academics or research scholars. We will be discussing all about the MSc Pharmacology course in this blog and what the course entails.

Course Name	MSc Pharmacology
Full-Form	Master of Science in Pharmacology
Course Level	Postgraduate (Masters)
Duration of the Course	1-2 years
Examination Type	Semester
Eligibility	MBBS or BDS with an aggregate of 55% or equivalent CGPA or BVSc or BPharm or BSc degree course or Bachelor of Physiotherapy with at least 60% aggregate
Admission Process	Entrance-exam and/or merit-based
Average Starting Salary	INR 3-6 LPA
Top Recruiting Companies	Government agencies, supply and distribution of medicine, Defense services, Hospitals, Private clinics etc.
Job Positions	Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Healthcare Scientist, Pharmacologist etc.

Here’s an interesting read on the Top 10 Medical Courses Without NEET! 

What is MSc Pharmacology

Master of Science in Pharmacology, or M. Sc. Pharmacology, is a two-year post-graduate program in pharmacy. It is an area of medicine and biology that deals with the research of drug activity. This course teaches students how to do successful pharmacological research and even test ideas in specific areas through logical and effective research effort. It entails instructing budding doctors on how to properly write prescriptions and the necessity of doing so from a medico-legal standpoint. It also prepares them to flourish academically and to become excellent researchers and scholars. After successfully completing the course, candidates will have access to easily available employment.

MSc Medical Pharmacology Course Overview

MSc Medical Pharmacology or MSc Pharmacology is a three-year post-graduate programme designed to provide students with a solid foundation in pharmacology theory and practice. Tissue and organism pharmacology, cell and receptor pharmacology, and nervous system pharmacology are among the topics studied in this curriculum. The program’s curriculum teaches knowledge of the fundamentals of drug discovery as well as research aimed at better comprehending human illness treatment techniques. It also illuminates the analytical model in order to research rehabilitation under the influence of drugs or medicine. If students choose to study abroad for this programme, they will receive valuable industrial experience. Graduates of this programme will be able to participate in the assessment, planning, and implementation of healthcare initiatives at all levels.

MSc Medical Pharmacology vs. MSc Clinical Pharmacology 

For candidates to have a better understanding and clarity of both MSc Medical Pharmacology and MSc Clinical Pharmacology, we have created a table that compares the two programmes:

Differences	MSc Medical Pharmacology	MSc Clinical Pharmacology
Course Overview	It is mostly concerned with the investigation of the effects of various medicines/drugs on the human body.	It primarily focuses on medication and medical research, as well as their safety and efficacy in the human body.
Degree Level	Postgraduation	Postgraduation
Duration of Course	2 years	2 years
Course Fee	The course fee for this course is comparatively less expensive.	The course fee is comparatively expensive
Average Starting Salary	INR 3 to 6 LPA	INR 3 to 8 LPA
Job Positions	Research Scientist, Professors/ Consultants	Clinical research Analyst, Clinical Research Project Manager, Clinical Research Project Coordinator

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MSc Pharmacology Syllabus

The MSc Medical Pharmacology curriculum lasts two years and is divided into four semesters. All of the courses are required and must be completed within the period of study. For a comprehensive comprehension of the subject, the course stresses a complete understanding of the theoretical section as well as a correct and thorough experience of experiments on animals and organs. Although the syllabus for the MSc Pharmacology course will vary from course to course and from university to university, here are some of the core subjects that will be covered under this programme:

Year 1 

• General Principles of Pharmacology and Allied Sciences
• Toxicology
• Experimental Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology
• Systemic Pharmacology
• Practical Lab
• Isolation of Compounds from Herbal Sources
• Wonder Discovers in Pharmacology
• Elective Subject(s)

Year 2

• Biostatistics
• Pharmacokinetics
• Drug Regulation
• Drug Development Process
• Therapeutic Monitoring
• Practical Work
• Seminar
• Research Report
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Central Nervous system

MSc Medical Pharmacology Eligibility Criteria

Just like the syllabus, the eligibility criteria for MSc Pharmacology course too varies from one university to another. Having said that, there are some prerequisite general requirements that aspirants must know about. They are:

• The candidate must be having an aggregate of 60% or above in graduation in a science stream from a recognised university.
• The minimum age for admission to the MSc Medical Pharmacology programme is 21 years old. Admission to the MSc Medical Pharmacology programme has no maximum age limit.
• Many universities in India and overseas choose prospective students based on their performance in the top Pharmacy Entrance Exams or university-sponsored exams. The following are a few of the most common exams:
  • GPAT
  • NEET
  • NIPER JEE
  • JELET
  • KCET
  • RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• If you are planning to pursue an MSc Pharmacology degree abroad, you will be required to provide scores of English language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Along with this, you will have to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and some universities might also require Letters of Recommendation (LORs).

Require Skills Set 

• Skills in Information
• Technology Aptitude for research and analysis
• Project Management Skills
• Time Management and Organizational Skills
• Ability to critically evaluate data
• Interpersonal and team-work abilities

Popular MSc Medical Pharmacology Universities Abroad

Here are some of the most renowned universities from around the world that are offering MSc Pharmacology courses to aspirants:

Universities	Location
Nottingham Trent University	UK
University of Leeds	UK
University of Manchester	UK
King’s College London	UK
Northeastern University – Kaplan International	USA
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences	USA
McGill University	Canada
University of Guelph	Canada
University of South Australia	Australia
The University of Newcastle	Australia

Also read about pursuing Masters in Pharmacy in Canada

MSc Pharmacology in UK (BONUS)

The Masters of Science in Pharmacology in the UK is primarily focused on the production, development, formulation, and testing of novel medications. The European facilities of Pharmacy have approved the Pharmacology Masters in the United Kingdom, and it takes an average of 4 to 5 years to complete. The MSc Pharmacology UK degree aids in the growth and improvement of a student’s research skills. MSc Pharmacology in the United Kingdom allows students to enrol in a two-year master’s programme that focuses on drug-related courses and allows them to engage with cutting-edge research equipment and conduct research in a unique way.

Why Study MSc Pharmacology in UK?

The MSc Pharmacology programme in the United Kingdom is well-known. The Pharmacology course gives expert critical and technical expertise in the pharma industry’s creation, analysis, and manufacture of medications. Since the students study how pharmaceutical drugs are made and doses are formulated, there is a good scope of pharmacology in the UK for aspirants in this field of study. Furthermore, when it comes to pursuing your degree, institutions provide a variety of study alternatives, including full-time, half-time, and distance learning. In conclusion, an MSc in Pharmacology in the United Kingdom is very advantageous for international students since it allows them to pursue some of the highest-paying positions and a wide range of prospective career opportunities.

Did you know: According to Highfliers’ study, the average starting salary for Pharmacology Graduate Salary UK is £30,000 (INR 29,97,176), which has been unchanged since 2015. In the yearly job need and vacancy analysis chart, the pay scale varies by job role, but the scope increases linearly. In all employment roles, the pay is determined to be reasonable.

Top Universities for MSc Pharmacology in UK

Here are some of the highly renowned and top-ranked universities in the UK that are offering MSc Pharmacology courses to aspirants:

• University of Leeds
• University of Manchester
• University of Glasgow
• University of East Anglia
• King’s College London
• University of Aberdeen
• University of York
• University of Sheffield
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Strathclyde
• Nottingham Trent University
• Coventry University

Popular MSc Medical Pharmacology Colleges in India

Apart from the top MSc Pharmacology UK universities and other universities from around the world, India is nowhere behind when it comes to popular universities offering this course. Here are a few of them listed below:

• AIIMS, Delhi
• Jhalawar Hospital and Medical College, Rajasthan
• GMCH, Chandigarh
• JSS Medical College, Karnataka
• Mamata Medical College, Telangana
• Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka
• Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune
• University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun
• MNR Medical College
• Index Medical College, Madhya Pradesh

Explore the Best Pharmacy Colleges In India 

MSc Pharmacology Scope 

Candidates who have completed an MSc in Pharmacology can pursue a PhD or MPhil in pharmaceutical research. Because the pharmaceutical industry is both a thriving and profitable market segment, especially after post COVID era, the industry requires ongoing research and development of new medicines to help mankind recover from various ailments and diseases. Hence, new and better medicine is constantly in great demand in this field. As a result, graduates in this discipline can work in the R&D department of a pharmaceutical company, where they can work on new ideas and improvements

MSc Medical Pharmacology Jobs 

Candidates after pursuing an MSc in Pharmacology may be given JRF or SRF jobs on a variety of projects that require candidates from a pharmacy background. Here is a list of the famous and popular MSc Pharmacology jobs that are available for aspirants:

• Biomedical scientist
• Pharmacologist
• Clinical Research Associate
• Analytical chemist
• Lecturers/ Professors
• Medical Research scientist
• Drug regulatory officer
• Pharma Researcher
• Supply Manager
• Retail Seller

MSc Medical Pharmacology Admission Process

Admissions to M.Sc Medical Pharmacology programs are based on either entrance exams or merit lists provided by colleges and institutions. You may be required to sit for medical entrance examinations such as NIPER JEE, GPAT, and others.

Entrance Exam Based Admission

Students must take either pen-and-paper or online examinations for national or state-level admission exams administered by national or state-level testing bodies, and if they pass the exam, they are invited to the counseling process or Personal Interview Round.

Merit-Based Admission

M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology is offered by a few private schools and institutions, and applicants can apply for admission to this program both online and offline. Admission to these universities is dependent on merit. Follow the procedures outlined below to apply for the M.Sc. in Medical Pharmacology program:

• The M.Sc in Medical Pharmacology admission application forms may be found on the Institute’s official website or at the Admissions office.
• Fill out the application form either manually or electronically, following the instructions provided.
• According to the manner of application, the application form should be sent along with all relevant educational documents, either in soft copy or in hard copy.
• Through the applications have been processed, the final selection is made after rounds of GD and PI (if any).
• The final merit list is posted on the institute’s bulletin board or on the institute’s official website.

MSc Medical Pharmacology Entrance Exams

Exam Name	Conducting Body
GPAT 2022	National Testing Agency
NIPER JEE 2022	National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research
JELET 2022	West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board
KCET 2022	Karnataka Examination Authority
RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test	Rajasthan University of Health Sciences

MSc Medical Pharmacology Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

Entrance exams for M.Sc. in Medical Pharmacology mostly include the following topics:

• Examine your entrance exam curriculum carefully and adhere to the timetable to finish the entire syllabus on time. Aside from that, this test is appropriate for applicants who majored in chemistry or biotechnology throughout their undergraduate studies.
• Construct a thought for each topic, as the entry is entirely focused on notions.
• To keep an eye on the test pattern, practise previous year’s entrance exam question papers.
• Identify your weak spots and work on them by practicing and sticking to a schedule.
• Make notes for revision and revise as needed.

Why study M.Sc Medical Pharmacology?

• It expands the number of employment openings in the pharmaceutical business, particularly in hospitals and pharmaceutical enterprises.
• Students might pursue higher education, such as a PhD, to get an advantage and upgrade their skills and research experience, which leads to job advancement.
• Many students join the R&D divisions of large pharmaceutical firms after completing this degree, gaining experience working in drug research and becoming a part of the development of new medications and their negative effects.
• Because the healthcare business demands a technically and academically strong workforce, and only a few professionals are available for research and development, a candidate with an M.Sc Medical Pharmacology degree is in high demand.
• In terms of pay, M.Sc Medical Pharmacology graduates may expect to make approximately INR 3-4 LPA when they first start out, and after gaining industry experience, you can expect to earn around INR 5-8 LPA after 2-4 years.

MSc Medical Pharmacology: FAQs

This was everything regarding the MSc Pharmacology course. Want to study abroad in 2022? Then reach out to our Leverage Edu experts on 1800572000 and kickstart your study abroad journey with us! Hurry up!!