Historical origins (18th/19th centuries) ... to the present day
In the 18th century, Empress Maria Theresia established a new state-run education system. Pharmacists were no longer trained solely within the guilds, but were required to attend newly established courses at the medical faculties of the universities. They graduated with the title of Magister pharmaciae (Master of Pharmacy).
Franz Hruschauer, a pupil of Liebig, was the first chair of the newly established Institute of Chemistry (1850–1858) at the Old University of Graz. Under his leadership, the first pharmacy course was held in 1853. Pharmacy training took place in close collaboration with the “Joanneum”, which had been founded in 1811 by Archduke Johann. The “Joanneum” was an educational institution and a museum housing extensive natural history collections, which were used for teaching at the university.
Until the end of the 19th century, the pharmacy curriculum included courses in Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Mineralogy and Pharmacognosy.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
In 1855, a laboratory for pharmacy students was opened to shift the focus of training from theoretical lectures to practical exercises. From 1858 to 1861, Johann Gottlieb taught the students pharmaceutical chemistry. In 1878, a new Institute of Chemistry was established under the direction of Leopold von Pebal, a pupil of Bunsen. Pebal also ensured that the laboratories were equipped with modern facilities. His successors were Zdenko Hans Skraup (1887–1906) and Roland Scholl (1907–1914). During the era of Anton Skrabal (1917–1943), the Institute of Chemistry was divided into three institutes. One of these was the Institute of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. The head of the Institute of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry was Alois Zinke (1943–1963), followed by Erich Ziegler (1963–1978). In 1964, Pharmaceutical Chemistry became an independent institute headed by Gustav Zigeuner (1964–1990), followed by Werner Korsatko (1991–1995) and Ernst Haslinger (1995–2000).
Pharmaceutical Technology
In 1919, Otto Loewi, with the support of the Styrian Provincial Government, established the first course in Pharmaceutical Technology at the Faculty of Medicine.
Fritz Wischos, head of the hospital pharmacy, taught this course from 1921 to 1932, followed by Ludwig Zechner from 1933 to 1938 and Norbert Schniderschitsch from 1938 onwards. During his time, training in Pharmaceutical Technology was transferred from the hospital pharmacy to the university by integrating an Institute of Applied Pharmacy within the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Between 1959 and 1969, Ludwig Zechner was once again Chair of the Institute of Galenics, followed by Christian Knopp (1969–1989) and Werner Korsatko (1989–1995). From 1995 to 2000, the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology was headed by Werner Korsatko as an independent institute.
In 2000, the Institutes of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology were merged to form the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, which was headed by Ernst Haslinger (2000–2004).
Pharmacognosy
In 1909, the Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy at the University of Graz, located at Universitätsplatz 4, was mentioned for the first time. The separation of the two disciplines of pharmacognosy and pharmacology took place in 1922 with the establishment of two chairs within the Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy. From 1939 onwards, there is evidence of an independent Institute of Pharmacognosy at the University of Graz; in 1940, it was transferred from the Faculty of Medicine to the Faculty of Arts. The institute was headed by Robert Fischer until 1973, from 1963 as a full professor. From 1973 to 1999, it was headed by Theodor Kartnig, from 1999 to 2002 by Alois Hiermann, and from 2002 to 2004 by Rudolf Bauer. After 112 years at the Universitätsplatz 4 site, the Department of Pharmacognosy moved to new premises at Beethovenstraße 8 in 2021.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
In 1973, the Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology was established from the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology within the Faculty of Medicine. From 1973 to 1997, Walter Kukovetz headed this new Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, which was subsequently renamed the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology. As part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology was headed by Bernhard-Michael Mayer from 1998 to 2004.
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Graz
In April 2004, the current Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences was founded. Research, teaching and administration were brought together, and Rudolf Bauer was appointed head of this institute, a position he held until 2020. The institute, which with more than 100 staff members is now one of the larger institutes at the University of Graz, is divided into four departments: Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy. Ulrich Stelzl took over as head of the institute from 2020 to 2022; Andreas Zimmer was head of the institute from 2022 to 2026; and since 2026, Ulrich Stelzl has once again been head of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The following appointed professors have worked or are currently working at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences:
Ernst Haslinger 1995 – 2009, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Winfried Wendelin 1999–2007, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Bernhard-Michael (Bernd) Mayer 1999 - 2024, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Rudolf Bauer 2002–2024, Pharmacognosy
Andreas Zimmer 2008, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy
Valery Bochkov 2014, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Ulrich Stelzl 2015, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Eva Roblegg 2021, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy
Hanna Engelke 2024, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Andreas Koeberle 2024, Pharmacognosy
Sebastian Preissl 2024, Pharmacology and Toxicology