Introduction
The M.Phil./Ph.D. Clinical Pharmacy programme will provide students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills needed to practice pharmacy competently. The students at the end of the programme should be specialists in various areas of Clinical Pharmacy and should be proficient in research, entrepreneurship and the practice of Pharmacy.
In addition to being proficient in research, candidates are required to acquire knowledge and skills in pedagogy, ICT and entrepreneurship.
Philosophy
The M.Phil./Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacy involves theoretical, analytical and/or experimental investigations with the view to furthering knowledge and becoming specialists in various areas of clinical pharmacy which will contribute to knowledge in research, entrepreneurship and the practice of pharmacy.
Aim and Objectives
- To provide the requisite knowledge and skills needed for advanced clinical practice through the acquisition of right attitude and development of higher cognitive skills that enhance professional competence.
- To develop self-directed study of relevant subject material to enable critical and analytical skills that will enable the student design and undertake original research in pharmacy practice i.e. to systematically plan and implement a research project.
- To enable students to be intentional and reflective in the transfer of knowledge and practice of clinical pharmacy.
Admission Requirements
The general regulations governing Postgraduate admissions as stated in the Postgraduate studies prospectus shall apply.
The entry requirements for the M.Phil./Ph.D. degree programme either on full or part-time is a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy with a cumulative score average of at least 60% in the courses taken. Candidates should submit a written proposal to the department for review and assignment of supervisor(s).
Mode of Study
The study is offered on both full time and part-time basis. The duration of study for Ph.D. Clinical Pharmacy is a minimum of 36 and maximum of 60 calendar months for full time and a minimum of 48 and a maximum of 72 calendar months for part-time.
Course Requirements
The School of Post-graduate Studies requires that some coursework be incorporated in the higher degree programme. The Department‘s regulations have been formulated to ensure that candidates for the degree have received a formal education in Clinical Pharmacy. This does not imply that all courses must be taken after admission to the department nor does it imply that these are the only courses to be taken by the students. They are meant as minimum guidelines and the assessment of previous education and graduate course load is in the first instance the responsibility of the supervisor and supervisory committee. Waiver of the minimum requirements can only be permitted after consideration by the department. The minimum credit load required to qualify a candidate for the M.Phil./Ph.D. degree is 30 for taught courses plus 12 credit for thesis.
Assessment and Evaluation
Students will be assessed based on the regulations governing examinations and assessments of the school of the Postgraduate studies. Candidates who are deficient in some areas may be required to audit such courses with masters and or undergraduate students.
The degree will be awarded upon completion and submission of a thesis embodying the result of their original research in any chosen area of clinical pharmacy practice; this will be a record of critical review of existing knowledge that leads to novel findings in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice research and contributes significantly to knowledge.
General Regulations
Offer and Acceptance of Admission
Candidates offered admission shall be notified in writing by the Registrar,
The offer of admission made in accordance with Regulations of the university shall be provisional and individual candidates shall be required to:
- Accept the offer of admission in writing on the prescribed forms and pay the prescribed acceptance fees, within the specified deadline, and
- Comply with any other conditions that may be contained in the admission letter.
Any provisional offer of admission not accepted, as prescribed above shall be deemed to have lapsed at the expiration of the deadline.
Lapsed Registration
A postgraduate student’s registration is deemed to have lapsed if he/she fails to:
- Renew his/her registration in any session as prescribed under deferment above.
- Submit himself/herself for examination at the expiration of the maximum period approved for the programme
- Complete the requirements for the award of degree within the approved period for the programme.
Withdrawal from Programme
- Candidates that fail up to 50% of courses registered at the end of the first semester shall withdraw from the programme.
- Candidates that failed some courses but passed up to 50% of all registered courses shall be allowed to re-sit the failed course(s).
- Master’s candidates that fail in the resit examination may apply to be assessed for the award of a PGD in Clinical Pharmacy practice.
- PGD candidates who fail the resit examination shall be withdrawn from the programme.
False Declaration
Any candidate found to have made a false declaration with regards to these regulations shall be asked to withdraw from the university.
Pass Mark
Minimum pass mark in any course will be 50%.
Each course shall be examined to a maximum of 100 marks and all courses will be computed and assigned the appropriate Weighted Score Average (WSA).