Pharmacology and Toxicology

Characteristics of the study programme

Pharmacology and toxicology are sciences that study the mechanisms of mutual interactions of substances and medicinal preparations with biologic systems and observe their both favourable and adverse impact on the organism. The final goal is the use of this knowledge in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human and veterinary conditions.

A great advantage of the study of pharmacology and toxicology is the close interconnection of the theoretic field with all clinical specialties that perform therapy, prevention and diagnosis. The study programme is therefore suitable not only for those interested in experimental research but also for those seeking their prospective careers in clinical work. The main bias of the study programme, nevertheless, is experimental, at both the pre-clinical and clinical level.

The goal of the study is training specialists with deep knowledge in the areas of clinical as well experimental pharmacology and toxicology. This envelops knowledge of wide areas of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, effects and toxicity of medications, including the knowledge of properties of particular forms of medicinal preparations.

Admission procedure requirement specific to the study programme

The conditions and course of the admission procedure for the part-time of study are the same as the conditions for the full-time form. 

We recommend to contact your potential supervisor in advance and consult the suitable form of preparation for the interview. Each study programme has its own specifics, so the supervisor can help you to prepare for the specialized entrance examination (the interview).

Topics of dissertation thesis

The SAB did not list any topics. The candidate chooses the preliminary topic individually and contacts a potential supervisor. He/she consults with him on the chosen topic and agrees on its more precise specification. In case of any doubt, we recommend contacting the chairman of the SAB. If necessary, he/she can recommend that he/she consult the topic with another specialist according to the focus of the intended project.

If the candidate does not know which topic/supervisor to choose, he/she will contact the chairman of the SAB, with whom he/she will consult on a suitable topic and a potential supervisor.

This choice is preliminary, the admissions board may, after consultation with the candidate, nominate another supervisor.

Supervisors of the study programme

Each supervisor must be approved by the SAB. The criteria for admitting new supervisors are determined by the SAB. If the proposed supervisor has not yet been approved by the SAB, this must be done no later than the enrollment of the applicant in the study (provided that the applicant is accepted). You can find a list of supervisors approved by the SAB here. After clicking, the supervisor’s workplace and contact information will be displayed.

Requirements during the study

Study obligations for full-time and part-time form of study are the same. 

Specific contents of the doctoral studies are provided for each student by an ISP. Obligatorily, it contains passing at least two subjects provided by any SAB within the Co-ordinating Council of DSPB. It is recommended that at least one of the subjects passed is provided by the SAB of Pharmacology and toxicology.

Part of the ISP is also the language examination in English (examination at the Department of Languages, Second Faculty of Medicine CU, state language examination or an internationally recognized examination, e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate). The Dean's Provisions no. 2/2024 states that all students should attend the faculty Scientific conference in the 4th year of study (and also again in the 6th and 8th year of study in case the student extends their studies).

The ISP includes continuous publishing activity and presentation of the results at national and international scientific conferences. Also possible / recommendable is the students’ participation in undergraduate tuition (practical classes).

Requirements for internships

A recommended part of study obligations in studies is taking a study placement abroad. Also welcome is another form of the student’s direct participation in international co-operation, e.g. in an international creative project with results published or presented abroad, etc.

Listed courses
B90274 Applied Pharmacokinetics

B90248 Personalized pharmacotherapy

B90247 Ecotoxicology 

Requirements for the SDE

The SDE usually takes place in the 3rd year of studies. The requisites of admission for the examination are:

• credits from at least two subjects passed;
• literature search for the topic (20–30 pages) or an own scientific publication in a reviewed journal (synoptic articles are admitted as well).

The course of SDE

The SDE is held in such an extent that is in keeping with the study programme of the SAB. Its objective is checking the student’s way of scientific thought, i.e. his/her ability of comprehension of the nature of the problem, including the ability of conceiving own ways of solution to the given problems. At the examination, the students are supposed to prove their knowledge of their chosen field to the full extent of the undergraduate level but also the knowledge of trends in research and modern methodology of recent biomedicine as applied to the topic area of his/her dissertation thesis. The examination consists of discussion of the passed subjects completed with credits, discussion of the literature search submitted or the applicant’s own publication, and answering three questions drawn at random. The examining questions for pharmacology and toxicology are displayed at the pages of the SAB, together with the recommended literature.

Examination topics for the SDE

At least two original publications in journals with IF that pertain to the topic of the thesis and together have a total impact factor not smaller than 1.0. At least in one publication, the doctorand must be the first author.

Defence requirements

At least two original publications in a journal with an IF pertaining to the topic of the thesis, which together have the total impact factor not lower than 1.0. In at least one of them, the doctorand should be shown as the first author.

Profile of a graduate of the study programme

Graduates obtained complete and unique overview on general and specific mechanisms of drug activity, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug toxicity as well as on application of the drug characteristics during their use. They understand the use of mathematical and statistical models in drug development or description of drug effects.

Information about graduate employment 

The graduate will be prepared to apply in the search for optimal procedures in the development of new drugs in academic research and in the pharmaceutical industry. He/she is qualified to provide consultancy services in specialized departments as a pharmacologist/pharmacist/toxicologist according to basic and specialized training. His education enables him to be an expert for specialized teaching in medical, pharmaceutical or biomedically oriented faculties.