Health Sciences

Master of Science in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development)

The Master of Science in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development) is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in pharmacology, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical development. The programme provides specialised training in drug design, molecular pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and drug development processes.

Core areas include advanced pharmacology, drug design, molecular pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, drug development and regulation, pharmacological methods, analytical techniques, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology through the Department of Biochemistry. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over two years through full-time and part-time study, combining coursework with laboratory practicals and research.

Students develop competencies in drug design, molecular pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, drug development, pharmacological methods, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory practicals, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for pharmaceutical, research, and academic roles in drug discovery and development.

JKUAT charges KES 357,000 total for the programme (~KES 178,500/year), verified from the JKUAT masters fee structure. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant science or pharmacy from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as pharmacologists, drug discovery scientists, pharmaceutical researchers, medicinal chemists, regulatory affairs officers, and lecturers across pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, universities, regulatory agencies, and NGOs.

Skills Required

Advanced Pharmacology and Drug Action Mechanisms
Drug Design and Molecular Modelling
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Targets
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Synthesis
Drug Development and Regulatory Affairs
Pharmacological Methods and Assay Design
Analytical Techniques in Pharmacology
Drug Discovery and Lead Optimisation
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Advanced Pharmacology and Drug Action Mechanisms
Drug Design and Molecular Modelling
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Targets
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Synthesis
Drug Development and Regulatory Affairs
Pharmacological Methods and Assay Design
Analytical Techniques in Pharmacology
Drug Discovery and Lead Optimisation
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Thesis Research

Certifications

Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) Registration
IUPHAR Professional Membership

Specializations

Drug Design

Focuses on drug design, covering design, molecules, modelling, optimisation, and managing drug design.

Molecular Pharmacology

Examines molecular pharmacology, covering molecular, targets, receptors, signalling, and managing molecular pharmacology.

Drug Development

Covers drug development, covering development, processes, regulation, trials, and managing drug development.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Focuses on pharmaceutical chemistry, covering chemistry, synthesis, analysis, compounds, and managing pharmaceutical chemistry.

Pharmacological Methods

Examines pharmacological methods, covering methods, assays, testing, evaluation, and managing pharmacological methods.

Analytical Techniques

Covers analytical techniques, covering analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy, techniques, and managing analytical techniques in pharmacology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 250,000
Private, up to: Ksh 463,200
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Pharmacology and Drug Action Mechanisms
Drug Design and Molecular Modelling
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Targets
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Synthesis
Drug Development and Regulatory Affairs
Pharmacological Methods and Assay Design
Analytical Techniques in Pharmacology
Drug Discovery and Lead Optimisation
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines pharmacology, drugs, action, mechanisms, and managing advanced pharmacology and drug action mechanisms.
Drug Design and Molecular Modelling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers design, molecules, modelling, optimisation, and managing drug design and molecular modelling.
Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Targets
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular, targets, receptors, signalling, and managing molecular pharmacology and drug targets.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Synthesis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers chemistry, synthesis, analysis, compounds, and managing pharmaceutical chemistry and drug synthesis.
Drug Development and Regulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines development, processes, regulation, trials, and managing drug development and regulatory affairs.
Pharmacological Methods and Assay Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers methods, assays, testing, evaluation, and managing pharmacological methods and assay design.
Analytical Techniques in Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy, techniques, and managing analytical techniques in pharmacology.
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, design, methods, ethics, and conducting research in pharmaceutical sciences, preparing students for their thesis.
Drug Discovery and Lead Optimisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines discovery, leads, optimisation, screening, and managing drug discovery and lead optimisation.
Computational Pharmacology and Bioinformatics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computational, pharmacology, bioinformatics, modelling, and managing computational pharmacology and bioinformatics.
Advanced Topics in Drug Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines current research, emerging drugs, personalised medicine, and managing advanced topics in drug design and development.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a pharmacology or drug design topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pharmacology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Drug Design
Focuses on drug design, covering design, molecules, modelling, optimisation, and managing drug design.
Molecular Pharmacology
Examines molecular pharmacology, covering molecular, targets, receptors, signalling, and managing molecular pharmacology.
Drug Development
Covers drug development, covering development, processes, regulation, trials, and managing drug development.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Focuses on pharmaceutical chemistry, covering chemistry, synthesis, analysis, compounds, and managing pharmaceutical chemistry.
Pharmacological Methods
Examines pharmacological methods, covering methods, assays, testing, evaluation, and managing pharmacological methods.
Analytical Techniques
Covers analytical techniques, covering analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy, techniques, and managing analytical techniques in pharmacology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development) programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars, group discussions, and independent study. Sessions cover advanced pharmacology, drug design, molecular pharmacology, and pharmaceutical chemistry. Advanced pharmacology sessions examine pharmacology, drugs, action, mechanisms, and managing pharmacology. Drug design sessions cover design, molecules, modelling, optimisation, and managing drug design. Molecular pharmacology sessions cover molecular, targets, receptors, signalling, and managing molecular pharmacology. Pharmaceutical chemistry sessions cover chemistry, synthesis, analysis, compounds, and managing pharmaceutical chemistry. Drug development sessions cover development, processes, regulation, trials, and managing drug development. Pharmacological methods sessions cover methods, assays, testing, evaluation, and managing pharmacological methods. Analytical techniques sessions cover analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy, techniques, and managing analytical techniques. Research methods sessions cover research, design, methods, ethics, and conducting research in pharmaceutical sciences. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in pharmacological assays, drug synthesis, and analytical techniques. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current issues in pharmacology and drug development. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a pharmacology or drug design topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme specifically focuses on drug design and development, a growing field in Kenya and globally.
Relatively affordable fees at KES 357,000 total (~KES 178,500/year).
Graduates are eligible for PPB registration and IUPHAR membership.
High job market demand for drug discovery and pharmaceutical research professionals.

Against it

Only one university (JKUAT, public) confirmed offering this specific programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme requires a relevant science or pharmacy degree for entry.
Laboratory and computational components require significant time commitment alongside coursework.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public179k to 250k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology250k at University of Nairobi

Private149k to 463k

149k at Mount Kenya University463k at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT ~178.5K/yr verified (kenyaeducationguide). UoN, AKU, MKU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. KEMRI may offer research grants for pharmacology and drug discovery research. Some pharmaceutical companies and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
KEMRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 178,500Kenyan
JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
KEMRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KEMRI may offer research grants for pharmacology and drug discovery research.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant field. Lower Second Class may be considered with two years of relevant experience or a Postgraduate Diploma. Contact JKUAT for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, group discussions, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering advanced pharmacology, drug design, molecular pharmacology, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Laboratory Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions, demonstrating pharmacological assays, drug synthesis, and analytical techniques.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a pharmacology or drug design topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pharmacology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development) through the Department of Biochemistry. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in pharmacology. Graduates should be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). The programme aligns with WHO medicines standards and IUPHAR pharmacology standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development) through the Department of Biochemistry. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in pharmacology. Graduates should be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). The programme aligns with WHO medicines standards and IUPHAR pharmacology standards.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)
Professional accreditation
PPB regulates pharmacy practice and medicines in Kenya. Graduates working in pharmacy or medicines regulation should be registered with PPB.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pharmacologist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts pharmacology research, overseeing drugs, action, mechanisms, and managing pharmacology research.
Drug Discovery Scientist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts drug discovery research, overseeing discovery, leads, screening, and managing drug discovery.
Pharmaceutical Researcher
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts pharmaceutical research, overseeing drugs, development, testing, and managing pharmaceutical research.
Medicinal Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and synthesises drug compounds, overseeing chemistry, synthesis, analysis, and managing medicinal chemistry.
Regulatory Affairs Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages regulatory affairs for drugs, overseeing regulation, compliance, submissions, and managing regulatory affairs.
Pharmacology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches pharmacology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Molecular Modelling Software
SoftwarePrimary
Molecular modelling software for drug design, covering docking, modelling, simulation, and managing drug design.
HPLC System
Equipment
HPLC system for pharmaceutical analysis, covering chromatography, analysis, separation, and managing pharmaceutical analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.
Spectroscopy Equipment
Equipment
Spectroscopy equipment for compound identification, covering NMR, MS, IR, and managing compound analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pharmacology is just about dispensing drugs.
Pharmacology covers comprehensive drug action mechanisms, drug design, molecular targets, and drug development beyond just dispensing.
Drug design is only for chemists.
Drug design requires interdisciplinary skills in pharmacology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modelling, not just chemistry.
This programme is only for pharmacists.
Pharmacology is open to graduates in biochemistry, chemistry, biological sciences, and related fields, not just pharmacists.
Drug development is only done by big pharma.
Drug development involves academic research, biotech startups, government institutions, and NGOs in addition to large pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmacology research is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya faces unique disease burdens requiring local pharmacology research for drug development, resistance monitoring, and rational drug use.
Drug design is purely computational.
Drug design combines computational modelling with laboratory validation, biological testing, and clinical evaluation, not just computer work.