The Graduate School was founded in 1970 to develop and direct all graduate studies in the college.
The Graduate School consists of all those members of staff who hold a degree of Doctor of Philosophy, or have equivalent qualifications and experience, and who are in a position to supervise postgraduate studies. Members of the Graduate School elected to the college Graduate Studies Committee chaired by the associate dean (graduate studies) are responsible for the month-to-month management of graduate programs at the college.
Research
Research facilities are available within the Graduate School for students to undertake graduate work in experimental and theoretical areas of the pharmaceutical sciences.
Students may apply for entry to graduate study courses by arrangement with the Graduate School. The following fields of research are available for graduate studies.
Pharmaceutics
Formulation design and delivery of peptides and proteins, controlled release preparation, solid dosage forms, drugs for topical use and oligonucleotide prodrugs. Pharmacokinetics and drug assay including investigations of drug metabolism by liver, lymphatic drug absorption, plasma protein binding on drug effects, maternally-administered drug effects on foetus, assay development of racemic drugs. Cellular uptake and bioassay of antiviral and antitumour drugs.
Medicinal chemistry
Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of enzyme inhibitors, peptides and CNS-active drugs. NMR and computer-graphic studies of drug-receptor interactions. Analytical and clinical chemistry of drugs and biological systems. Molecular biology and protein modification.
Pharmacology
Pharmacological investigations on anti-depressants, antipsychotics, opioids, cannabis and other drugs of abuse. The pharmacology of gut secretion and antidiarrhoeal drugs. Autonomic mechanisms, pre- and postjunctional agonists and antagonists; receptor differentiation. Carcinogens and cellular functions. Adenosine and vascular function.
Pharmacy practice
Clinical pharmacy practice; patient information leaflets, domiciliary visiting of asthmatics - attaining positive pharmaceutical outcomes. Drug usage in the elderly. Patient attitudes to their medication. Pharmacist intervention in the prescribing cycle. Continuing professional education.