About Basic Medical Sciences
The Department of Basic Medical Sciences is part of the Faculty
of Medical Sciences. It consist of four disciplines: Anatomy,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology. Outstanding
researchers who have retired include Prof E A Kean (The mode
of action of hypoglycin), Prof H Coore (Enzymology), and Prof M
West (Anti-glaucoma drugs). Prof R Young (Human and
Comparative Physiology), Prof H Reid (Clinical Haemorheology)
and Prof H Asemota (Storage improvement of tropical tuber
crops-yams).
Admissions to graduate programme
MPhil / PhD in: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology,
Pharmacology
MSc in:
Forensic Science, Applied Pharmacology,
Physical Therapy
The postgraduate programme offers students the opportunity to
do research in specific areas such as:
 Mechanistic studies of chronic decrease processes,
such as diabetes, hypertension.
 Development of animal models of diseases.
 Assessment of plants, including foods for medicinal
value.
 Assessment of therapy use in the management of
chronic disease.
 Assessment of drug addictions.
 Influencing memory development.
 Cell culture research in inflammation and cancer.
 Plant micropropagation.
 Eradication of plant diseases.
 Microbial and parasitic disease research.
 Advancing the agricultural benefits of traditional and
non-traditional plants though genetic modifications
 Benefit analysis of drugs.
 Advances in exercise physiology.
 Study of bone regeneration
 Effect of cannabis on the brain
 Role of heavy metals in teratology
Students are advice to speak with researchers/academic staff in
the section of interest to decide on an area of specialization.
Many projects involve collaboration between sections. The UWI
Mona Research Engine website (http://mord.mona.uwi.edu/staff/
) is also a good site to identify research being done by staff of
the Department. A master’s degree mainly requires a
demonstration of mastery of the discipline, placing the research
in the context of a thorough review of the literature. There is
some originality required in research and must be publishable in
scientific circles. A PhD, while being longer must reflect much
more than mastering an experimental technique. It must have a
significant amount of original research, resulting in several
publications in international journals and conference
submissions. Students at the PhD level must show the ability to
systematically execute the intended work. The department
encourages all MPhil students to transition into PhD. The
student must express some interest in upgrading within the time
limits set by UWI and convince the Supervisor/Co-Supervisor
that project proposal merits the upgrade.
Eligibility for Admission
All students interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree in
Basic Medical Sciences should refer to the handbook entitled:
REGULATIONS FOR GRADUATE DIPLOMAS AND
DEGREES, available from the School of Graduate Studies.
Policy and Procedures
Policy and Procedures that will govern your postgraduate
experience are given to all students at the beginning of their
entry to the programme. They are clearly set out in three
handbooks:



Graduate Studies Guide for Students & Supervisors
Manual of Procedures for Graduate Diplomas and
Degrees
Thesis Guide
for MPhil and three years for PhD, but may be extended for one
additional year. Duties for students receiving these awards will
be set out by the Section to which they are assigned.
Timeline and time restrictions
All students and supervisors are encouraged to ensure that
programmes are completed in the timeline clearly stated in
“REGULATIONS FOR GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND
DEGREES” handbook. To ensure this occurs the Department
mandates that all postgraduate complete BC60B, which is a six
credit course. This is a basic research skills course and requires
all students to make an oral presentation of their project proposal
by the end of Semester I. The proposal must also outline the
timeline for completion of the project, thus giving the examiners a
clear idea of when project will be completed. Students must
work through the details with their supervisor(s) before this
presentation is made.
Course Requirments & Departmental Seminars
All MPhil/PhD students are expected complete the course
BC60B (6 credits). PhD candidates will have to identify an
additional course (3 credits). These students must make one
departmental seminar presentation every year. Registration for
these seminars is mandatory at the beginning of each academic
year. Additional courses can be requested at a section level.
Seminar I..Year 1
Seminar II.. Year 2
Seminar III.. Year 3
MPhil
GRSM6301
GRSM6302
PhD
GRSM9301
GRSM9302
GRSM9303
Please ensure that you access the online copies.
Conference participation/paper publication
Scholarship/Departmental awards
Of course, research can only be valuable if it is shared and
documented. By the end of the second year all postgraduate
students must participate in one scientific conference either by
oral or poster presentation. Through discussions with supervisor
the most appropriate forum can be chosen. Students unable to
complete this process will be deemed as having challenges and
Students interested in scholarships should refer to The School of
Graduate Studies. There are limited departmental awards
available for graduate students not holding scholarships. Under
normal circumstances departmental awards are only for two year
may require consultation with the Head of Department.
Students are also encouraged to publish their findings in
scientific journals. Supervisors are expected to ensure students
have at least one paper published before completing the degree.
Recent Publications
1. Mills, J. (ed). Scientific Principles of Stress. University of the West Indies Press, 2012
2. Irving, R. Olympic DNA: Birth of the fastest humans. Great House, Publishers,
Jamaica, 2012.
3. Nwokocha, C.R., Owu, D.U., McLaren, M., Murray, J.,Delgoda, R., Thaxter, K.,
McCalla, G. and Young, L. (2012).Possible mechanisms of action of the aqueous
extract of Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) leaves in producing hypotension in
normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2012,50 (9):1096-1102.
4. Nwokocha, C.R., Mounmbegna, P.P.E., Nwokocha, M.I, Onyekachi, O. (2012).
Effects of Total Body Irradiation on Fatty Acid and Total Lipid Content of Rats’ WholeBody. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 25, (1); 169-173.
5. Finlayson, E. and Brown, P.D. (2011). Comparison of antibiotic resistance and
virulence factors in pigmented and nonpigmented
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. WIMJ, 60:24-32.
6. Andrade, G. and Brown, P.D. (2012). A comparative analysis of the attachment of
Leptospira interrogans and L. borgpetersenii to mammalian cells. FEMS Immunology
and Medical Microbiology 65:105-115.
7. Smith-Marshall, J. and Golden, K.D. (2012). Characterization of Bromelain from
Morinda citrifolia (Noni). J. Scientific Research. 4, 445 -456.
8. Lindsay, C. and Golden, K.D. (2012). Morinda citrifolia: Amino Acid and Lipid Content
of the Noni Fruit at Various Stages of Maturity. J. Scientific Research. 4, 467-476.
9. Levy, A.S. and Carley, S (2012). Cytotoxic Activity of Hexane Extracts of Psidium
Guajava L (Myrtaceae) and Cassia AlataL(Caesalpineaceae) in Kasumi-1 and
OV2008 Cancer Cell Lines. J Pharm Res, April 2012;11 (2): 201.
10. Gossell-Williams M., Bennett, O., Dias, Y., Foster, K.,Houston, Wright, K,
Fairclough, Z. (2012). Preference of patient information leaflets over standard
drug monographs by patients prescribed Hydrochlorothiazide, Nifedipine and
Enalapril. WIMJ. 2012 61(3): 271-279
11. Gordon, C., Roopchand-Martin, S., Gregg, A. (2012). Potential of the Nintendo
WiiTM as a rehabilitation tool for children with cerebral palsy in a developing
country: a pilot study Nintendo Wii training for children with cerebral palsy
Physiotherapy 98, 238-242
12. Nelson, G.A.; Bent-Forsythe, D.A.; Roopchand-Martin, S.C.(2012).
Electromyographic Activity of the Rectus AbdominisDuring a Traditional Crunch
and the Basic Jackknife Exercise with the Ab Lounge™ Jour nal of Strength & Con
di tion ing Re search.,26(6):1584-1588
13. Cox, P.St. L., Williams, S.K.P. and Weaver, SR. (2011). Life after lower extremity
amputation in diabetics. WIMJ, 60(5): 536-540.
14. Bryan, S., Alexander-Lindo, R.L., Dasgupta, T., McGrowder, D. (2011). The effect
of nitric oxide inhibitors and s-nitrosothiols on hemodynamic parameters in an
animal model – Open Access Animal Physiology 3: 1-8 (Feb., 2011).
15. Anderson-Jackson, L., McGrowder, D.A., Alexander-Lindo, R.L. (2012). Prostate
Antigen Specific and Gleason Score in
Men with Prostate Cancer at a Private Diagnostic Radiology Centre ibn Western
Jamaica. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, 13, 1453-1456 (2012).
16. Green, C.O., Wheatley, A.O., McGrowder, D.A., Dilworth,L.L. and Asemota, H.N.
(2012). Modulation of antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation
PMFs extract. J Appl Biomed. 10(2): 91-102.
University of The West Indies
Department of Basic Medical Science
Postgraduate Student
Guide
Contact Information
Basic Medical Sciences
Telephone:876-9272290
Facsimile: 876-9773823
Website: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/bms/
School of Graduate Studies
Telephone: 876-935-8995
Facsimile: 876-977-7427
Website:
http://www.mona.uwi.edu/postgrad/index.php