DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY
UNIVERSITIES OF MEDICINE
Ph. D. (PHARMACOLOGY)
1. Aim and Objectives
Aim
- To produce personnel who are academically trained in Pharmacology to be able to serve the country as highly qualified researchers and teachers
- To upgrade the postgraduate course to an advanced and higher level comparable to international standard
Objectives
- To master the knowledge of a specific academic field and able to disseminate that knowledge at the university level
- To make an original contribution, through research, to the knowledge within a specific field
- To establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field
2. Criteria for Application
- Selection of candidates will be made by the PhD Central/University Selection Board of Studies, Department of Human Resource for Health, Ministry of Health and Sports.
- The candidate must have attained a M. Med. Sc. degree in Pharmacology from one of the Medical Universities in the Republic of Union of Myanmar or equivalent degree recognized by Myanmar Medical Council.
- He or she must be in-service personnel who are willing to serve a further five years after completion of the course.
- He or she should not be more than 45 years of age at the time of application. However, consideration can be made on an individual basis.
3. Selection Examination
Question type - Essay type (4 sections, compulsory)
Hours - 3 hours
Pass marks - 60%
4. Duration of the Course
The duration of the course is three years.
If the candidate is not able to complete the research within the time frame according to 'Structured Programme', application for extension must be submitted at the 30 months of the course, which will be considered by the Academic Board of the University concerned.
The Professor and Head of the Department (chairman of the Board of Study) must ensure that the candidate acquires adequate knowledge and skill, as well as advances in the chosen discipline and field of study through continuous monitoring and supervision.
5. Structured Program
Time frame Structured Program
First year Exposure to common module on research methodology Study historical development, methodological advances & current
state of affairs pertaining to his/her intended area of research.
Literature review for selection of research topic
Conduct journal reading and presentation once a month in the Department
Discuss topic selection with resource persons
Write Protocol and submit at the end of nine months (pilot study of methods to be used if necessary)
Defend protocol and amend as necessary, guided by supervisor. Protocol to be ready at the end of a year.
Make preparations for research work
Second Year Start research work
Keep log book of activities
Report regularly on progress of research work (monthly or as required)
Delivering and presentation of scientific talks (at least two seminars and one conference)
Make oral presentations of research findings or progress to staff of Department every three or six months
Participate in Department teaching as relevant and appropriate
Publish certain aspects of research work in local/ international journals (at least one article)
Short term training or study tour in local/abroad during elective period not more than 12 weeks
Third Year Continue research work
Analyze data and write a thesis
Participate in department teaching
Make presentation of scientific talks (at least two seminars and one conference)
Submit and defend thesis (34-36 months of the course)
6. Methods of Training and Core Competencies to be achieved during Training
It is entirely self-directed lifelong learning. There is hands-on training in some technical procedures during research works. Students should attend and participate in local or international workshops, seminars and conferences.
The core competencies are as followed:
6.1. Competency on Research Skill
A scientific and rational approach in solving the research problem
Skills acquired in planning and carrying out research
Proficiency in laboratory safety procedures and consideration
Application of relevant statistical methods
Appropriate use of text, tables and diagrams in presentation of results and findings
Skills in oral defense of the thesis
Make a contribution towards scientific knowledge of the discipline or humanity in general
Adherence to ethical principles of research ethics
6.2. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Receive training in responsible conduct of research to improve their ability to make ethical and legal choices which include:
Practicing vigor, honesty, and integrity in experimental design, performance, and data analysis as well as how to report data with acceptable standards of reproducibility
Understanding the rules for ownership and access to data and the criteria for authorship
Understanding and respect for intellectual property rights, patents, and copyrights
Understanding ethical principles and local, state, and federal regulations/guidelines for conducting human subjects research, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and procedures
Understanding requirements for conducting and reporting clinical trials
Understanding how to account for the possible role of a biological variable in vertebrate animal and human studies and why this is important
Understanding ethical principles and local/state regulations/guidelines for use of animals in research
Understanding applicable definitions and reporting procedures of misconduct
Understanding personal, intellectual, and financial conflicts of interest
Understanding confidentiality and bias in peer review
Understanding the mentor and trainee relationship
Sticking to time frame for each component of research
6.3. Competency on Teaching Skill
Develop and improve teaching skill through teaching to both undergraduate and post graduate medical students and pharmacists which include identifying learning outcomes and promote critical thinking, assessing learning and teaching of junior colleagues, and effective using of teaching/learning strategy and methodology
6.4. Competency on Inter-professional and Interpersonal Communication Skills
Effective exchange of information and collaboration with students, colleagues and other professional persons
Develop effective writing, speaking and listening skills
Proficiency in preparation of scientific publication and grant application
An ability to effectively present the role of research to scientific and lay audience
6.5. Professionalism
Fully understand the importance of adhering to accepted professional standards and practices within the workplace/department, institution, and discipline such as complying with rules, regulations, and institutional norms
Respecting, evaluating, and enhancing the intellectual contributions of others
Understanding how the discipline is advanced and promoted by professional service activities, such as promotion of public awareness of science by professional societies, peer review panels, and institutional committees
6.6. Leadership and Management Skills
Understand how to facilitate effective team work to manage day-to-day activities within the workplace
Understand processes involved in negotiating and resolving conflict
Giving and receiving feedback
Project management and budgeting
Developing mentoring relationships
Initiative for improvement of skill, service, facilities and attitude
6.7. Personal Development
Develop skills that improve confidence and identity, strengthen personal resources
Developing positive thinking styles, being engaged in the community
Overseeing personal finances
Effective management of time and stress
7. Thesis Defense
Defense of the thesis is assessed by the Board of Examiners.
Thesis
The thesis must be the original unpublished work (in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) of the candidate.
The candidate must submit a thesis approved by the Board of Studies and defend it to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners.
8. Assessment
Apart from appointed examiners, members of the jury and the chairperson of the subject Board of Studies, no other person will be allowed in the examination room. The presence of supervisor is optional.
The thesis to be examined must be sent to the respective examiners and juries 4-8 weeks prior to thesis defense. Only examiners will be allowed to ask questions pertaining to the thesis on all aspects. Examiners are expected to have thoroughly gone through every page of the thesis based on the following:
a) a scientific and rational approach in solving the research problem
b) a critical and sufficient review of relevant literatures
c) skills acquired in planning and carrying out research
d) application of relevant statistical methods
e) appropriate use of text, tables and diagrams in presentation of results
f) skills in oral defense of the thesis
g) make a contribution towards scientific knowledge of the discipline
All examiners are to participate in the conduct of examination and to conduct the thesis examination so as to be worthy of a doctoral degree. The decision reached after the examination will be based on the majority of the vote.
There will be no chief-examiner or co-examiners and all examiners will have equal status.
The examination consists two parts:
a) Evaluation of thesis itself
b) Ability of candidate to defend the research work based upon viva voce
The following outcomes have been agreed upon:
a) total rejection of thesis
b) passed with minor or no modifications
c) passed with significant corrections and amendments
The final modified and corrected thesis will include one separate page on which all the examiners affix their signatures as having assessed and approved the thesis as witnessed by members of jury who will also sign on that page.
The result will be sent to the Rector who will publish it accordingly.
The candidate will then be said to have been admitted by the University to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), having completed the approved course of study and having passed the examination on the day the result is posted.
Core competency such as teaching skill, interpersonal and communication skill are assessed throughout the course by Professor/Head of department as well as senior faculty members. Critical appraisal of some relevant papers and review of log book are also included.
