Pharmacognosy is the science that deals with the study of drugs derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or marine organisms. The study determines the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these drugs in preparation for their medical use in treating human diseases.
Program Description
- Advanced Scientific Knowledge:
- Demonstrate specialized, advanced knowledge in the major fields of natural products chemistry, biology, and biotechnology.
- Discuss complex operations, materials, and methods related to the discovery of novel bioactive compounds.
- Master the fundamentals of quality assurance and standardization for natural medicines.
- Cognitive & Research Skills:
- Critically evaluate and synthesize existing scientific literature to identify research gaps in pharmacognosy.
- Apply cutting-edge techniques for the isolation, characterization, and evaluation of novel compounds.
- Design and execute independent, original research projects that contribute to the global knowledge economy.
- Professional & Technical Proficiency:
- Hone laboratory skills in biotransformation, chemical synthesis, and modern extraction techniques (e.g., using marine organisms).
- Expertise in structure elucidation of natural products using advanced spectroscopic methods like NMR.
- Effectively utilize multidisciplinary databases and statistical software for data analysis and interpretation.
- Ethics & Leadership:
- Commitment to the highest standards of research integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
- Participate in finding constructive solutions to societal health issues through natural product development.
1- The student must have obtained a Master’s degree in Pharmacognosy or other pharmaceutical specialties from King Saud University or its equivalent. However, students holding a Master’s degree in other pharmaceutical specialties may be admitted to the program, provided they complete certain Pharmacognosy Master’s program courses specified by the department council before starting their program studies.
2- Passing a personal interview conducted by the department.
3-Passing the English language proficiency test (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 450 or its equivalent as an admission requirement to the program.
First Year – First Semester
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610 Phar | Selected Research Topics in Pharmacognosy | 2 (0+2) |
| 2 | 611 Phar | Pharmacognosy Seminar – 1 | 1 (1+0) |
| 3 | 612 Phar | Marine Pharmacognosy | 3 (3+0) |
First Year – Second Semester
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 512 MedChem | Modern Synthetic Reactions | 4 (2+2) |
| 2 | 541 Pharm | Quantitative Pharmacometry | 3 (3+0) |
| 3 | 613 Phar | Pharmacognosy Seminar – 2 | 1 (1+0) |
Second Year – First Semester
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 620 Phar | Modern Trends in Natural Drug Discovery | 4 (3+1) |
| 2 | 614 Phar | Pharmacognosy Seminar – 3 | 1 (1+0) |
Second Year – Second Semester
| No. | Course Number and Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 700 Phar | Dissertation | – |
Program Overview
To request more information about the program
Contact Admission
King Saud University