Programmes
Undergraduate | Postgraduate | For the Public
Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy (B.Sc. Pharmacy)
The programme of study in pharmacy leads to the B.Sc. Pharmacy, and extends over four years. Graduates then undertake a six -month internship, as stipulated by the Pharmacy Board of Trinidad & Tobago, which is the regulatory body and licensing authority.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must possess two A’ Level subjects (or equivalent), including Chemistry, and a choice from Biology, Zoology, Physics or Mathematics. The applicant must also have a pass in Physics at the O’ Level, or its equivalent. Registered pharmacists, holding a diploma or associate degree, are eligible to join the accelerated programme, as part-time students.
The Pharmacy Board is also involved in assessing the suitability of Trinidadian applicants for admission to the programme.
The curriculum consists of:
- An integrated programme of basic medical sciences – anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, community health, microbiology, pathology, and immunology - using problem-based learning techniques.
- Pharmaceutical sciences - pharmaceutics, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics.
- Pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy – applied therapeutics with problem-based learning, complimentary/alternative medicine, non- prescription drugs, prescription dispensing, pharmacy law and ethics, drug information and literature evaluation, patient counselling skills, pharmacy practice clerkship, and pharmacy administration.
- Biostatistics and research methodology, and communication skills.
- Electives – Pharmacoeconomics, Community Pharmacy Practice Management, Institutional Pharmacy Practice Management, Clinical Toxicology, and Research Project.
Assessment
All courses are assessed by continuous assessment methods, including written examinations, seminars on selected topics, case presentations, and a final written examination and OSCE. The continuous assessment carries 40% of the total marks, and the final exam - 60%. In integrated basic sciences, performance in the problem-based learning sessions also contributes to the total marks.
Oral examinations are also utilized, and contribute 10% of total marks. External examiners from the UK, USA and Canada conduct the oral examination, and review the exams.
Mixed-Mode BSc Pharmacy Programme
Programme Overview
The Mixed-Mode BSc Pharmacy Programme at the The University of the West Indies School of Pharmacy is designed to provide foundational and professional training in pharmacy through a blended learning format. The programme combines online instruction with scheduled face-to-face sessions, laboratory work, and experiential placements, allowing students to benefit from flexible learning while maintaining the rigorous scientific and professional standards required for pharmacy education. The programme prepares graduates for professional practice as pharmacists within the Caribbean healthcare system. The hybrid system of teaching and learning instituted in the Faculty of Medical Sciences problem-based learning (PBL) and requires students to adopt a philosophy of self-directed study: students are self-motivated to acquire their own learning, and it facilitates the students’ achievement of the learning outcomes. In addition to PBL, learning settings will also include lectures, laboratories, clerkships for pharmacy practice, research projects, seminars, case-studies, poster presentations, numerical and non-numerical problem-solving and computer-aided learning packages
Criteria for Admission
Registered Pharmacists holding a diploma/ certificate/ associate degree in Pharmacy may be eligible to join the degree programme and will follow a part-time programme of studies.
Non-Academic Considerations
In addition to academic qualifications, applicants may be expected to demonstrate interest in healthcare and pharmacy practice, good communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within healthcare teams. Professional conduct, ethical awareness, and commitment to patient care are important attributes for success in the programme.
Summary of Curriculum
To provide sound education and training, both theoretical and practical, in the Basic Health Sciences, the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice so that the graduates not only have current knowledge of their subject but also are disciplined to become lifelong learners to the benefit of patients and the future development of Pharmacy. Students develop knowledge in areas such as medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and therapeutics, alongside professional courses that focus on pharmacy practice, patient counselling, and healthcare systems.
Credit Distribution
The programme includes credits allocated across didactic coursework, laboratory-based practical training, and experiential placements. The distribution ensures that students acquire both the scientific foundation and practical competencies required for professional pharmacy practice.
Structure of the Programme
The mixed-mode structure combines online lectures, virtual tutorials, and digital learning resources with one two (2) weeks in person session in Trinidad for laboratory work, skills training, workshops, and assessments. This blended approach supports flexible learning while maintaining essential hands-on training in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is an essential component of the programme and includes structured practice experiences in community pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. These placements allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world professional practice and develop patient care skills under professional supervision.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong scientific foundation in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
- Apply pharmaceutical knowledge to safe and effective medication use.
- Provide patient-centred pharmaceutical care in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Communicate effectively with patients, healthcare professionals, and the public.
- Uphold professional, ethical, and regulatory standards in pharmacy practice.
PharmD Upgrade Programme
Programme Overview
The PharmD Upgrade Programme is a two-year, full-time, face-to-face programme delivered over six semesters. It is designed for qualified pharmacists and builds on prior pharmacy training to provide advanced clinical, professional, and experiential education consistent with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) qualification.
Criteria for Admission
Applicants must satisfy both academic and non-academic requirements for entry into the programme.
Academic Requirements
Applicants will be considered for admission if they have obtained:
- A BSc in Pharmacy from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, or
- A Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree from the University of Technology (UTECH), Jamaica.
Graduates of UWI (St. Augustine) and UTECH are therefore eligible for admission into the PharmD Upgrade Programme.
Non-Academic Considerations
All applicants are required to submit the following in support of their application:
- A 250-300 word autobiographical summary outlining:
- Reasons for interest in the programme
- Career aspirations in pharmacy
- Documented and certified involvement in extracurricular activities prior to application
- Each activity must:
- Be listed on the application form
- Be supported by original letters of certification from principals, supervisors, or employers
- Clearly state the duration of involvement and level of responsibility
- In assessing extracurricular activities, emphasis is placed on:
- Voluntary participation in community and social projects
- Other activities and abilities, including music, sports, drama, debating, or foreign language proficiency
- Attendance at an interview, conducted either in person or virtually
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s:
- Character
- Scientific ability
- Work experience
Summary of Curriculum
Credit Distribution
- Total Credits: 100
- Level IV: 59 credits
- Level V: 41 credits
Structure of the Programme
Clinical Year 1
Clinical Year 1 comprises advanced coursework in pharmacotherapy, clinical pharmacy practice, healthcare systems, and introductory experiential learning.
- Semester I (19 credits) Emphasis on therapeutic sciences, patient care skills, healthcare administration, and professional communication.
- Semester II (23 credits) Continued development of clinical sciences with expanded focus on patient assessment, therapeutic planning, and non-prescription care.
- Summer Semester III (17 credits) Experiential placements in ambulatory care and community pharmacy, alongside advanced pharmacotherapy and seminar activities.
Clinical Year 2
Clinical Year 2 focuses primarily on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) and clinical immersion, supported by seminars and a year-long Clinical Pharmacy Improvement Research Project.
Electives may be selected from:
- Hospital / Administration Pharmacy
- Industrial Pharmacy
- Compounding Pharmacy
- Academic Pharmacy
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is integrated throughout the programme through supervised Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) conducted in community, ambulatory, institutional, and specialised clinical settings. Scheduled breaks between semesters and rotations allow for transition and consolidation of learning.
Core Curriculum Focus Areas
The curriculum is organised around the following core areas:
- Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Decision-Making Progressive management of acute and chronic disease states.
- Clinical Pharmacy Practice Patient assessment, data collection, care planning, and patient care laboratory experience.
- Healthcare Systems and Administration Application of management and administrative principles in healthcare and pharmacy practice settings.
- Professional Development and Research Seminars, elective experiences, and completion of a clinical improvement research project.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme, graduates will have:
- Demonstrated advanced clinical pharmacy knowledge and skills
- Applied patient-centred care principles across diverse practice settings
- Completed supervised practice in multiple pharmacy environments
- Completed a clinical improvement research project
- Developed competencies for expanded professional and clinical roles in healthcare systems
Upcoming Postgraduate Studies
The pharmacy programme has existed within the Faculty since 1995, and was administered by the Department of Paraclinical Sciences. After considerable service and experience, the programme was recently upgraded to an independent school of pharmacy. Although no graduate programmes are currently on offer, the school is currently in the process of developing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and other postgraduate programmes. In addition, staff are involved in the supervision of students enrolled in M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Pharmacology in the following research areas.
Pharmaceutics
- Formulation and evaluation of sustained and controlled release medications (microspheres, magnetic microspheres, liposomes, niosomes) biodegradable polymers for sustained /controlled release formulations.
- Pharmacokinetic studies.
- Therapeutic drug level monitoring and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Medicinal Chemistry
- Synthetic and pharmacological studies on a natural cyclopolypeptides from plant roots and to study the effect ofN-methylation on bioactivity
- Synthesis, structural and pharmacological aspects of oligopeptides from Caribbean marine sponge and to study the effect of conformation change on bioactivity
- Total synthesis, characterization and biological screening of peptides from Chinese medicinal plants and to study the effect of proline substitution on pharmacological activity
Pharmacy Practice
- Drug utilization reviews.
- Epidemiological studies.
Pharmacoeconomics. - Pharmacy administration.
- Complimentary/alternative medicine.
Programmes for the Public
Although there are currently no specific courses available to the public, the School of Pharmacy staff and students are continuously engaged in outreach programmes at TV/Radio, Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Secondary/Primary schools where public/students are provided with knowledge regarding precautions/testing methods/alternative herbal treatment options for diverse diseases including cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, AIDS, malaria, harmful effects of tobacco etc. The school also organizes health camps during these outreach activities on special days recognized by WHO and other professional bodies.
