Structure and content of the study program with teaching methods

The study program Pharmacy - Integrated Academic Studies aims to form competent graduate pharmacists – Masters of Pharmacy, who will be able to work independently within complex jobs that require higher education in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies and health care system. Pharmacy studies in English will enhance the development of the academic community and the pharmaceutical profession in the Republic of Serbia.

The studies are integrated and academic (include the first and second degree academic studies); graduate students acquire the title of MASTER OF PHARMACY.

A person can enroll in the first year of study if he/she has completed the appropriate secondary education lasting for four years, who has a health certificate, certificate of the English language proficiency - level B2 or previously completed any level of education in English (proof - diploma) and that, after passing the entrance exam, takes a place on the ranking list within the number of students approved to the Faculty by the Serbian government for enrollment in the first year. The appropriate secondary education is considered to be a grammar school or school of health, veterinary or chemical orientation. Foreign nationals enroll in the first year of study under the same conditions as citizens of the Republic of Serbia in terms of previous education, which regulates the "Law on Higher Education" ("Službeni glasnik RS", No. 88/17, 27/18 - other law, 73/18, 67/19 and 6/20 - other laws) and the general act of the Faculty.

The studies last for 5 years, that is, 10 semesters. Each year carries 60 ECTS, so that graduates acquire 300 ECTS. The study program consists of 42 mandatory and 6 elective courses, as well as the preparation and defense of the final thesis.

Mandatory courses:

  • 1st year of the studies: General and inorganic chemistry (9 ECTS), Pharmaceutical biology with genetics (6 ECTS), Fundamentals of human morphology (6 ECTS), Analytical chemistry (9 ECTS), Organic chemistry (9 ECTS), Introduction to pharmaceutical technology (9 ECTS), Fundamentals of human physiology (6 ECTS), Statistics in pharmacy (6 ECTS);
  • 2nd year of the studies: Fundamentals of human biochemistry (5 ECTS), Pharmaceutical technology 1 (7 ECTS), Pharmaceutical microbiology (6 ECTS), Fundamentals of pathological human physiology (4 ECTS), Medical chemistry 1 (7 ECTS), Methods of instrumental analysis (5 ECTS), Pharmaceutical communication skills (4 ECTS), Pharmacology 1 (6 ECTS), Pharmaceutical chemistry 1 (6 ECTS);
  • 3rd year of the studies: Pharmacology 2 (6 ECTS), Immunology (4 ECTS), Pharmaceutical chemistry 2 (6 ECTS), Bromatology (4 ECTS), Medicinal chemistry 2 (5 ECTS), Pharmacognosy (5 ECTS), Toxicology (5 ECTS), Dispensing drugs in practice (5 ECTS), Pharmaceutical technology 2 (6 ECTS), Clinical propaedeutics for pharmacists (4 ECTS);
  • 4th year of the studies: Clinical pharmacy 1 (7 ECTS), Phytotherapy (6 ECTS), Industrial pharmacy with cosmetology (7 ECTS), Biopharmacy (5 ECTS), Treatment of infectious diseases (6 ECTS), Pharmaceutical biotechnology (6 ECTS), Social pharmacy (6 ECTS), Clinical pharmacy 2 (7 ECTS);
  • 5th year of the studies: Clinical pharmacy 3 (6 ECTS), Pharmacovigilance (6 ECTS), Pharmacoepidemiology (6 ECTS), Pharmacokinetics (6 ECTS), Applied pharmaceutical biotechnology (6 ECTS); Professional student practice (15 ECTS), Final work-research (5 ECTS), Final work-design and defense (10 ECTS).

Elective courses:

  • 2nd year of the studies (students attend 2 elective courses out of 4 offered): Introduction to pharmaceutical practice (5 ECTS), Fundamentals of physical chemistry (5 ECTS), Processing of measurement results (5 ECTS), Medical biochemistry (5 ECTS);
  • 3rd year of the studies: (students attend 2 elective courses out of 4 offered): Pharmaceutical ethics with international regulation (5 ECTS), Nutritional supplements (5 ECTS), Research in basic pharmaceutical science (5 ECTS), Radiopharmacy (5 ECTS);
  • 4th year of the studies: (students attend 2 elective courses out of 4 offered): Sports pharmacy (5 ECTS), Immunization and vaccination (5 ECTS), Drug addiction and drug abuse (5 ECTS), Research in clinical pharmacology (5 ECTS).

The prerequisite for attending the study course is the enrollment in the year of study in which the course is scheduled by the study program. The teaching methods include: lectures, exercises, seminars, problem-oriented teaching, project-oriented teaching and professional practice. The student performs the professional practice under the guidance of the teacher - coordinator for professional practice. The final work is done in the 10th semester, carries 10 ECTS and is realized under the guidance of a mentor when appointed by the competent council.

During the first year of study, students acquire knowledge through the academic-general education and theoretical-methodological courses, as well as through courses that teach them the basics of pharmacy and provide an excellent basis for the following years of study. In the second, third and fourth year of study, more specific knowledge and skills in the field of pharmacy, medicine, medical ethics and communication with patients are acquired. In the fourth, sixth and eighth semesters, students have the opportunity to choose two out of four elective courses, depending on the activity they want to pursue in future. In the fifth year of study, competencies increase and progress to more complex forms of learning. In the fifth year, narrowly professional pharmaceutical courses provide more complex knowledge and skills in the entire spectrum of activities in the field of pharmacy, and practical classes and professional student practice enable students to work independently and provide pharmaceutical health care and services in pharmacy and other health activities. This study program has several courses that promote students' research, and the final work enables the student to develop analytical and critical thinking, to apply experimental design in research and to develop the desire and enthusiasm for continuous acquisition of knowledge and possible continuation within specialist and doctoral studies.

Students at the Integrated Academic Studies of Pharmacy from other Universities can transfer to this study program, provided that the study programs are identical in more than 80% of the content, with the approval of the transfer of the competent council.