Pharmacy MPhil, PhD

Program Overview

The Pharmacy MPhil and PhD programs at Newcastle University offer specialized research degrees in laboratory-based and clinical areas of Pharmacy. Students engage in original research under expert supervision, culminating in a thesis and oral examination. The program equips graduates with skills for careers in research, healthcare, and academia, emphasizing translational research with real-life applications.

Program Outline

Outline:

The Pharmacy MPhil and PhD programs specialize in laboratory-based and clinical research areas of Pharmacy. The program offers two research degrees:

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

• Duration: Full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months)
• Thesis-based research program with a word count of 40,000 - 50,000
• Focuses on original research leading to the completion of a thesis

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

• Duration: Full-time (36 months) or part-time (72 months)
• Involves original research that contributes significantly to the knowledge of a specific subject
• Culminates in a substantial thesis (80,000 - 100,000 words)

Available research areas:

• Disease-Selective Medicines:
• Explores development of new small molecule therapeutics with improved disease selectivity and reduced systemic toxicity.
• Investigations include rational drug design, synthesis, lead optimization, and preclinical evaluation in cellular disease model systems.
• Develops novel cancer prodrugs with tumor-specific activation and reduced systemic toxicity.
• Explores novel therapies for infective diseases like dengue, other haemorrhagic fever viruses, and tuberculosis.
• Improved Strategies for the Treatment of Chronic Pain:
• Investigates the molecular mechanisms of chronic pain and their translation into pain control strategies, including opioid treatment.
• Cellular Physiology:
• Studies hormones controlling epithelial ion channel activity and their physiological effects.
• Safety Pharmacology and Discovery Toxicology:
• Develops preclinical tools to identify potential safety liabilities in therapeutic candidates.
• Utilizes relevant cell models and systems for detecting effects on the heart.
• Pharmaceutics and Chemical Principles of Dosage Form Design:
• Investigates pharmaceutical formulations for efficient delivery of active molecules.
• Conducts research on intermolecular interactions, nanoscale pharmaceutics and nanotherapeutics, and dosage form design from intermolecular interactions.
• Highlights research in supramolecular pharmaceutics, specifically inter/intramolecular interactions and kinetics.
• Explores advances in fundamental and translational nanomedicines and understanding/improving drug delivery via subcutaneous, inhaled, and intravitreal routes.
• Pharmaceutical Public Health:
• Emphasizes the role of community pharmacies in addressing health inequalities and behavior change in areas like smoking, alcohol, substance misuse, sexual health, and obesogenic behaviors.
• Rational Medicines Use:
• Investigates the safe and efficient use of medicines in primary and secondary care, emphasizing complex medicine and patient support for long-term use.
• Focuses on preventing medication errors through studies on key technological advances and interventions throughout the medication use process.

Assessment:

The program typically uses a combination of assessments, including:

• Thesis: The main component of the MPhil and PhD programs, involving independent research culminating in a substantial written work.
• Viva: An oral examination conducted by a panel of experts to evaluate the student's understanding and presentation of their research findings.

Teaching:

• The program emphasizes individual research under the supervision of academic staff with expertise in the chosen research area.
• Students have access to a range of facilities and resources, including specialist laboratories, the medical library, computer clusters, and dedicated study spaces.
• Researchers are encouraged to participate in the faculty's researcher development program, which provides training in research techniques, collaborative working, professional standards, and effective communication.
• Opportunities exist to undertake the PhD within a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) or Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), offering additional benefits such as collaborative research, training across multiple institutions, and potential funding.

Careers:

The program equips graduates with skills and knowledge for diverse career paths in research, including:

• Research Scientist in academia or industry
• Clinical Research Associate
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Medical Science Liaison
Graduates are also well-prepared for careers in healthcare, pharmacy practice, policy, and academia.

Other:

• The program accepts both funded and self-funded students.
• Scholarships are available, including Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.
• Students can access a wide range of support services, including wellbeing support, careers guidance, and workshops on research and professional skills.
• The program emphasizes translational research, focusing on research with real-life applications and potential to benefit society.
• Students have opportunities to collaborate with researchers in other disciplines, leading to multidisciplinary research projects.