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M-PHARM in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Thanjavur?
This Pharmaceutical Chemistry program at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy focuses on the design, synthesis, and development of new drug molecules. It is critical for the Indian pharmaceutical industry''''s growth, which is a global leader in generic drug production. The program emphasizes advanced organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery principles.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for B.Pharm graduates passionate about drug discovery and development, seeking advanced research skills. It caters to fresh graduates aiming for R&D roles in pharmaceutical companies and working professionals looking to specialize in chemical synthesis or medicinal chemistry within India''''s thriving pharma sector.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect promising India-specific career paths in pharmaceutical R&D, process development, and quality control. Entry-level salaries range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 10-25+ LPA. Growth trajectories lead to research scientist, team lead, or project management roles in leading Indian and multinational pharmaceutical companies.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Organic and Medicinal Chemistry- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to understanding fundamental and advanced concepts in organic and medicinal chemistry. Utilize textbooks, online resources like NPTEL lectures, and practice synthesis problems regularly to build a strong theoretical base for drug design.
Tools & Resources
Standard organic chemistry textbooks (e.g., Clayden, Morrison & Boyd), NPTEL lectures on organic synthesis, Journal articles on drug discovery
Career Connection
A robust foundation is crucial for excelling in pharmaceutical R&D roles, enabling you to understand and contribute to drug synthesis projects from day one.
Develop Lab Proficiency and Safety Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage in all practical sessions to gain hands-on experience in synthesis, purification, and characterization techniques. Strict adherence to lab safety protocols and accurate record-keeping are paramount, mirroring industry standards. Seek opportunities for extra lab work.
Tools & Resources
Laboratory manuals, Safety data sheets (SDS), Analytical instruments (HPLC, GC, NMR, Mass Spectrometry)
Career Connection
Practical skills are non-negotiable for research scientists in the pharma industry, making you immediately valuable for laboratory-based roles.
Initiate Literature Review and Research Thinking- (Semester 1-2)
Begin exploring scientific literature, especially review articles and recent publications in pharmaceutical chemistry. Participate actively in journal clubs to critically analyze research papers and develop a research-oriented mindset, preparing for your project work.
Tools & Resources
PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar
Career Connection
Cultivating a research-driven approach early on helps in identifying research gaps and designing innovative projects, essential for a career in drug discovery.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Computational Drug Design and Chemoinformatics- (Semester 3)
Familiarize yourself with computational tools for molecular modeling, QSAR, and virtual screening. Participate in workshops or online courses to build expertise in chemoinformatics, which is increasingly vital in modern drug discovery. Apply these skills in practicals.
Tools & Resources
Schrodinger (Glide, Maestro), Discovery Studio, RDKit, Python for cheminformatics
Career Connection
Proficiency in computational drug design opens doors to roles in in-silico drug discovery, a high-demand area in Indian and global pharma companies.
Undertake Industry Internships or Research Projects- (Semester 3)
Actively seek and complete short-term internships in pharmaceutical companies or research institutions. This provides invaluable exposure to industrial practices, regulatory environments, and real-world R&D challenges, enhancing your resume and network.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Placement Cell, LinkedIn, Company career portals (e.g., Dr. Reddy''''s, Cipla, Sun Pharma)
Career Connection
Internships are often a direct pathway to pre-placement offers and provide practical experience that sets you apart from other graduates.
Participate in Scientific Conferences and Workshops- (Semester 3)
Attend national or international conferences and workshops relevant to pharmaceutical chemistry. Present your research findings (even preliminary ones) to gain presentation experience, network with peers and experts, and stay updated on latest industry trends in India.
Tools & Resources
Conference alerts websites, University notice boards for event announcements, Professional bodies like IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Association)
Career Connection
Networking at conferences can lead to collaborations, job opportunities, and mentorship, crucial for career progression in research.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Project Work and Dissertation- (Semester 4)
Dedicate comprehensive effort to your M.Pharm project work. Choose a research problem with industry relevance, meticulously design experiments, analyze data, and write a high-quality dissertation. Aim for publications or patent filings if feasible.
Tools & Resources
Statistical software (e.g., SPSS, GraphPad Prism), Referencing tools (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero), Journal submission guidelines
Career Connection
A strong project and dissertation are powerful demonstrations of your research capabilities, significantly boosting your profile for R&D roles and further academic pursuits (Ph.D.).
Focus on Regulatory Affairs and IPR Understanding- (Semester 4)
Deepen your understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs (e.g., CDSCO, USFDA, EMA) and intellectual property rights. This knowledge is crucial for drug development and commercialization in India, influencing how drugs are brought to market and protected.
Tools & Resources
CDSCO guidelines, ICH guidelines, IPR and Patent databases (e.g., Indian Patent Office, Espacenet)
Career Connection
Understanding regulatory and IPR aspects makes you suitable for roles in regulatory affairs, patent analysis, and quality assurance within pharmaceutical companies.
Prepare for Placements and Professional Interviews- (Semester 4)
Actively participate in placement preparatory activities, including mock interviews, group discussions, and resume building workshops. Research target companies and their specific R&D areas, practicing technical and HR interview questions. Network with alumni in the pharma sector.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Career Development Cell, Online interview preparation platforms, LinkedIn for alumni networking
Career Connection
Thorough preparation ensures you effectively showcase your skills and knowledge, increasing your chances of securing desirable positions in India''''s competitive pharmaceutical job market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Pass in B.Pharm. Degree from any recognized university and shall be registered as a pharmacist with State Pharmacy Council.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 88 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPCH 101T | Pharmaceutical Chemistry - I | Core Theory | 4 | Organic reaction mechanisms, Asymmetric synthesis, Drug design approaches, Prodrugs, Stereochemistry in drug action |
| MPCH 102T | Advanced Organic Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Stereochemistry, Reaction intermediates, Pericyclic reactions, Photochemistry, Modern synthetic reactions |
| MPCH 103T | Medicinal Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Principles of drug action, Drug metabolism, Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR), Receptor theories, Drug discovery process |
| MPCH 104T | Advanced Medicinal Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Heterocyclic chemistry, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), Combinatorial chemistry, Lead discovery, Target identification |
| MPCH 105P | Pharmaceutical Chemistry - I Practical | Core Practical | 3 | Organic synthesis, Characterization techniques, Purification methods, Drug intermediates synthesis, Analytical method development |
| MPCH 106P | Advanced Organic Chemistry Practical | Core Practical | 3 | Multi-step synthesis, Spectroscopic identification, Chromatographic techniques, Reaction monitoring, Advanced organic reactions |
| MPCH 107RM | Research Methodology & Biostatistics | Core Theory | 3 | Research design, Data collection, Statistical methods, Hypothesis testing, Report writing |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPCH 201T | Pharmaceutical Chemistry - II | Core Theory | 4 | Advanced medicinal chemistry, Drug targeting, Nucleic acid chemistry, Peptide chemistry, Combinatorial library design |
| MPCH 202T | Bioorganic Chemistry & Drug Design | Core Theory | 4 | Enzymes in organic synthesis, Bioisosterism, Molecular modeling, Rational drug design, Receptor binding studies |
| MPCH 203T | Natural Products in Drug Discovery | Core Theory | 4 | Isolation of natural products, Structure elucidation, Biosynthesis, Pharmacological screening, Traditional medicine |
| MPCH 204T | Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Process development, Scale-up, Impurity profiling, Green chemistry, Regulatory aspects of APIs |
| MPCH 205P | Pharmaceutical Chemistry - II Practical | Core Practical | 3 | Synthesis of drug molecules, Characterization, Bioassay methods, Impurity detection, Process optimization |
| MPCH 206P | Bioorganic Chemistry & Drug Design Practical | Core Practical | 3 | Molecular docking, QSAR software, In-silico screening, Data analysis, Computational chemistry |
| MPCH 207CR | Journal Club & Seminar | Project/Activity | 1 | Scientific literature review, Presentation skills, Critical analysis, Research ethics, Seminar delivery |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPCH 301T | Advances in Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Chemoinformatics, Drug repurposing, Nanotechnology in drug delivery, Biologics, Fragment-based drug discovery |
| MPCH 302T | Regulatory Affairs & Intellectual Property Rights | Core Theory | 4 | Drug approval process, Patenting, Clinical trials, GLP/GMP, Data exclusivity |
| MPCH 303T | Analytical Methods in Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, IR), Chromatography (HPLC, GC), Electrophoresis, Hyphenated techniques, Validation |
| MPCH 304CR | Project Work (Part I) | Project | 12 | Literature survey, Research proposal, Experimental design, Data collection, Preliminary results |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPCH 401CR | Project Work (Part II) | Project | 16 | Advanced experimentation, Data analysis, Thesis writing, Presentation, Viva-voce |
