Graduate Programs in Pharmacology
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Why Choose Us

Graduate Programs in Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Our strong points

- Top-rated pharmacology programs in the country
- Stable funding
- International collaboration
- Well laboratory equipment
- Outstanding research

Your opportunity

- Translational research from preclinical to clinical study
- Green campus & friendly environment
- Diverse career path (researcher or academic staff in industrial and public sector such as FDA, Department of Medical Sciences)
- Research in public health problem of AEC region such as cholangiocarcinoma, drug allergy, tropical diseases, drug resistance
- Scholarships for living allowance

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Doctor of Philosophy Program in Pharmacology,
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Programs in Pharmacology

Program 1: Thesis only

1.1 Program that focuses on research with a thesis that creates new knowledge. Applicant must hold a degree of Master of Science in Pharmacology or related fields with the GPA of at least 3.5 or the equivalent. The Program requires thesis work of no fewer than 48 credits without coursework.

1.2 Program that focuses on research with a thesis that creates new knowledge. Applicant must hold a Bachelor degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine with the first-class honors or the equivalent. The Program requires thesis work of no fewer than 72 credits without coursework.

Program 2: Coursework and Thesis

Program that is research-oriented with high quality thesis and academic progress

2.1 Applicant must hold a degree of Master of Science in Pharmacology or related fields with the GPA of at least 3.25 or the equivalent. The Program requires thesis work of no fewer than 36 credits and course works of no fewer than 12 credits.

2.2 Applicant must hold a Bachelor degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Associated Medical Sciences, Public Health, or related subjects with the GPA of at least 3.25 or the equivalent. The Program requires thesis work of no less than 48 credits and with course works of no less than 24 credits.

Coursework

During the first year of doctoral training, students gain a conception in principle of pharmacology and expand their understanding of related fields. Courses are instructed by faculty members of the Department, although many courses are taught by mutlidisciplinary team from various programs. Most students complete their coursework including compulsory and elective coursework by the first semester of the second year. Students will get accustomed to their research field from the introduction by their supervisors who may also advise taking some supportive elective courses.

Students who enroll in the Program Thesis Only may be asked to take some coursework as non-credits, if the Graduate Program Committee deems that it may be necessary for some students who are deficient in some areas.

Students of every Programs have to enroll seminar courses with credit or non-credit earned in accordant with their Programs

MD567712	Cells and Molecular Biology	3(3-0-6)
MD567713	Laboratory Techniques in Medical Sciences	2(0-6-3)
MD567714	Medical Science Research Methodology	3(2-3-6)
MD677703	Physiology for Health Sciences Students	3(3-0-6)
MD587703	Neuropharmacology	3(3-0-6)
MD667731	Pharmacology I	3(3-0-6)
MD667732	Pharmacology II	3(3-0-6)
366 728	Molecular Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
MD667722	Advanced Pharmacology	3(3-0-6)
MD667991	Seminar in Pharmacology and Toxicology I	1(1-0-2)
MD667992	Seminar in Pharmacology and Toxicology II	1(1-0-2)
MD667993	Seminar in Pharmacology and Toxicology III	1(1-0-2)
MD627732	Bioinformatics	2(1-3-4)
366 712	Experimental Methods in Pharmacology	1(0-3-1)
MD667713	Clinical Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
366 721	Molecular Cancer Chemotherapy	2(2-0-4)
366 725	Cardiovascular Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
MD667726	Free Radicals in Biological Sciences	2(2-0-4)
366 727	Xenobiotic Metabolism	2(2-0-4)
366 733	New Drug Discovery and Development	2(2-0-4)
MD667996	Dissertation	48
MD667998	Dissertation	36
MD667999	Dissertation	48

Qualifying examination and thesis proposal

After completion of required coursework, students prepare for the qualifying examination which usually take place by the second semester of the second year. Students have to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a particular subject in the field of their research. The examination includes literature writing and an oral examination. A majority of the examination committees are faculty members of the Department.  During this time, students will perform preliminary research for their thesis proposal. The presentation of the thesis proposal is usually at the first semester of the third year and has to be within 2 years after enrollment of Dissertation courses. The examination committee is consisted of their supervisory committee and non-supervisors who are appointed from faculty members within the Department and other relevant department.

Research Areas of the Department

Students will be encouraged to discuss possible research works with their supervisors during enrollment into the Program.  The research areas of the Program are outlined as follows.

1. Pharmacogenomics/Pharmacokinetics
Study of various genes that are involved or associated with drug responses (responses to immuno-suppressants, antifungal agents and anticoagulants) and adverse drug  reactions; such as severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions, hematotoxicity, renal and hepatotoxicity. Finding genetic markers for prediction of drug response/toxicity and drug hypersensitivity

2. Targeting Molecular Pathways in Cancer
Strategy to overcome drug resistance to chemotherapy in cancer, particularly cholangiocarcinoma, with an emphasis on molecular pathways of Nrf2-ARE, retinoic acid, genomic maintenance-cell cycle control and inflammation-associated signaling cascades

3. Neuropharmacology
Potential pharmacological mechanisms of synthetic compounds, medicinal herbs and neutraceutical products for neurodegenerative diseases; depression, convulsant, psychosis and Alzheimers, using in vitro studies, animal models and clinical studies.

4. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases
Study of pharmacological activity of synthetic compounds, medicinal herbs and nutraceutical products for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases using isolated tissues and animal models

Completion of Graduate Program Requirements and Required Contract Terms

The requirements of the Graduate School and the Pharmacology Program for the completion of the degree include coursework, a qualifying examination, thesis proposal examination, extramural academic presentation, publication in an international journal, an English test as a second language and others as required by contract terms which students may be bound with (requirement of the scholarship granter).

Thesis Examination

The examination usually takes place when students have completed all requirements of the Graduate School and all contract terms. The examination committee is consisted of representatives from the advisory committee, non-supervisory faculty members from the Department, other relevant departments and at least one expert member appointed from another university/institute.  The thesis examination is an open forum for public to attend.

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Master Program in Pharmacology,
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Applicant must hold a Bachelor degree of Science with the GPA of at least 2.5. The program requires coursework of at least 24 credits and thesis work of 12 credits.

Coursework

The coursework is prescribed to encourage students to comprehend the scope of multidisplinary nature of pharmacology. Courses are instructed by faculty members of the Department, although many courses are taught by mutlidisciplinary team from various programs.  Students complete most of their coursework including compulsory and elective coursework by the second semester of the first year. Students will get accustom to their research field from the introduction by their supervisors who also advise taking some supportive elective courses. Students usually enroll seminar courses during the second year while doing their research work.

MD567712	Cells and Molecular biology	3(3-0-6)
MD567713	Laboratory Techniques in Medical Sciences	2(0-6-3)
MD567714	Medical Science Research Methodology	3(2-3-6)
MD677703	Physiology for Health Sciences Students	3(3-0-6)
MD667731	Pharmacology I	3(3-0-6)
MD667732	Pharmacology II	3(3-0-6)
366 728	Molecular Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
MD667722	Advanced Pharmacology	3(3-0-6)
MD667891	Seminar in Pharmacology I	1(1-0-2)
MD667892	Seminar in Pharmacology II	1(1-0-2)
MD627732	Bioinformatics	2(1-3-4)
366 712	Experimental Methods in Pharmacology	1(0-3-1)
MD667713	Clinical Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
366 721	Molecular Cancer Chemotherapy	2(2-0-4)
366 725	Cardiovascular Pharmacology	2(2-0-4)
MD667726	Free Radicals in Biological Sciences	2(2-0-4)
MD667899	Thesis	12

Thesis proposal

During the first year of study, students will encourage to discuss with their supervisors and prepare research plan to be conducted in the second year. Students usually present their thesis proposal to examination committee by the first semester of the second year. The examination committee is consisted of their supervisory committee a  non-supervisors who are appointed from faculty members within the Department and other relevant department.

Research Areas of the Department

See the Ph.D. program

Completion of Graduate Program Requirements and Required Contract Terms
The requirements of the Graduate School and the Pharmacology Program for the completion of the degree include coursework, thesis proposal examination, academic presentation, publication in peer-reviewed journal, an English test as a second language and others as required by contract terms which students may be bound with (such as requirement of the scholarship granter).

Thesis Examination

The examination usually takes place when students have completed all requirements of Graduate School and all contract terms. The examination committee is consisted of representatives from the advisory committee, non-supervisory faculty members from the Department, other relevant department and at least one expert member appointed from another university/institute.  The thesis examination is an open forum for public to attend.