UDPHARMA - BSc Pharmacology

The Pharmacology pathway is intended to integrate the fundamentals of chemistry and the biological sciences to produce graduates with the ability to assess and interpret the action of drugs on biological systems, and to identify molecules which can be used to accomplish specific diagnostic and curative tasks. The material will be delivered by a range of mechanisms designed to allow the student to maximise the use of their preferred learning style (traditional lecture/tutorial sessions, guided independent learning, use of IT-based material such as VLOs, peer-assisted sessions).

Utilisation of the University’s VLE, WebLearn has become an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. Online progress tests will be used to provide students with feedback on their progress. Exams in several modules are delivered as online exams.

Feedback will be delivered online and through provision of tutorial questions and answer sessions and other formative exercises.

Practical skills exercises at each level are used to monitor proficiency at experimental work. Assessment of Data handling skills are embedded in practical reports, problem solving exercises, information abstracting and reviewing exercises, poster presentations and seminar presentations.

The level 6 Project provides the ultimate measure of experimental and other practical skills. The excellent Science Centre also provides an unrivalled facility in which to carry out the level 6 project module. BSc project assessment will culminate in the presentation of a dissertation and a viva exam, designed to allow the student to demonstrate their depth of knowledge and understanding.

Students have access to the Learning Centre situated on the North campus. This has recently been comprehensively refurbished. It provides specific group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive and regularly reviewed range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. In addition, there are newly fitted ‘all access’ areas on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge in Benwell Road. These areas come with comfortable seating and IT facilities.

The predominant aim of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills which will prepare them for work as a graduate in the field of pharmacology. They will gain a sound grasp of the fundamentals of chemistry and biology, which in turn will enable them to study the action of drugs on biological systems and understand the role of drugs in the treatment of disease. Students will develop the intellectual and practical skills necessary for the collection, analysis, interpretation and understanding of scientific data. Alongside this, students will develop an awareness of the ethical implications of modern scientific work, and enhance skills of self-evaluation and analysis to enhance career development. Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with personal development planning (PDP) through the curriculum, to enable them to reflect on, plan and review their own personal and academic skills. PDP will enable students to develop well supported claims to achievements and be able to articulate these to others and the University will enable students to recognise and record their achievements.

On the BSc Pharmacology, the QAA outcomes for Biosciences have been referred to generate the generic area(s) for each specific outcome.

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

1. an appreciation of the fundamental concepts and principles of underpinning pharmacological science.
2. an appreciation of sources of drugs, their nature, use and place in treatment of disease and in society, together with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles
3. an ability to devise working hypotheses and test these within specified constraints
4. a capacity to undertake self-reflection and demonstrate the skills of self-management, self-presentation and decision making
5. competence at communicating concepts, principles and information effectively by oral, written and visual means with clarity and confidence
6. an ability to process and interpret data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative analyses
7. recognise personal responsibility whether working individually or as a member of a team and respect the ethical standards and professional codes of conduct established within the scientific community
8. proficiency at collection and analysis of data with due regard to validity, accuracy, calibration, precision and reproducibility
9. an ability to devise and execute an independent project in a responsible, safe and ethical manner, and interpret and contextualise the findings within the contemporary understanding of pharmacology
10. the capability to relate the outcome of an experiment to the theory encountered in the lecture courses

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

- an appreciation of the fundamental concepts and principles of underpinning pharmacological science:

CH4004 Anatomy and Physiology(for Molecular
and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4003 Cell and Molecular Biology(for
Molecular and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry(for
Molecular and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
AS5005 Molecules of Heredity and Defence
CH5007 Bioanalytical Science
CH5011 Drugs: Delivery and Actions

- an appreciation of sources of drugs, their nature, use and place in treatment of disease and in society, together with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles:

CH5011 Drugs: Delivery and Actions
CH6012 Drugs: Interactions with Biological
Systems
AS6005 Biochemical Pathology
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
an ability to devise working hypotheses and test
these within specified constraints
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
a capacity to undertake self-reflection and

- demonstrate the skills of self-management, selfpresentation and decision making
competence at communicating concepts, principles and information effectively by oral,
written and visual means with clarity and confidence:

H4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
CH6W54 Work Placement
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4004 Anatomy and Physiology(for Molecular
and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4003 Cell and Molecular Biology(for
Molecular and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry(for
Molecular and Pharmaceutical Science)
CH4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
AS5005 Molecules of Heredity and Defence
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH6061 Advanced Bioanalytical Science
AS6056 Bioinformatics and Molecular
Modelling
CH6011 Formulation and Manufacture
CH5007 Bioanalytical Science
CH5011 Drug Delivery and Actions
CH6012 Drugs: Interactions with Biological
Systems
AS6005 Biochemical Pathology
CH6W54 Work Placement

- an ability to process and interpret data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative analyses CH4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science):

AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH6011 Formulation and Manufacture
CH5007 Bioanalytical Science
CH6061Advanced Bioanalytical Science
CH5011 Drugs: Delivery and Actions
CH6012 Drugs: Interactions with Biological
Systems

- personal responsibility whether working individually or as a member of a team and respect the ethical standards and professional codes of conduct established within the scientific community:

CH6W54 Work Placement
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
proficiency in collection and analysis of data with
due regard to validity, accuracy, calibration,
precision and reproducibility
CH4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
BS6W54 Work Placement
CH6011 Formulation and Manufacture
CH5011 Drug Delivery and Actions
CH6012 Drugs: Interactions with Biological
Systems
CH5007 Bioanalytical Science
CH6061 Advanced Bioanalytical Science
AS6056 Bioinformatics and Molecular
Modelling

- an ability to devise and execute an independent project in a responsible, safe and ethical manner, and interpret and contextualise the findings within
the contemporary understanding of Pharmacology the capacity to relate the outcome of an experiment to the theory encountered in the lecture courses:

CH4001 Laboratory Science (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH6W54 Work Placement
CH5007 Bioanalytical Science
CH6061Advanced Bioanalytical Science
CH5011 Drug Delivery and Actions
CH6012 Drugs: Interactions with Biological
Systems
CH6P01 Research Project (for Molecular and
Pharmaceutical Science)
CH6011 Formulation and Manufacture

Biosciences in part as no specific ones available

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including problem solving exercises, in-class test, data analysis, practical reports, case studies, oral presentations, extended essays, examinations, research project interim report, oral examination and dissertation.

Practical skills are summatively assessed through coursework assignments, including those in the project module. Data handling skills are summatively assessed by practical reports, problem solving exercises, oral presentations and examinations.

Formative assessments include group activities in tutorial classes, mini-tests and project workshops.

The course includes the option to take either a 15 credit Work Placement module at level 6 or a 30 credit Sandwich Placement module between level 5 and level 6. Students are not allowed to register for both these modules.

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

The cores for the award of BSc (Hons) are listed in the Course Structure. For intermediate awards, any combination of the modules from the course spec would be appropriate.

During the induction phase of the programme students will be introduced to structured reflection on their development of Undergraduate Skills which constitute much as the substance of personal development planning. Students will undertake to produce their personal development plan (PDP) during their undergraduate career or in the workplace. PDP can include other activities outside of the academic aspect of university life.

PDP is designed to allow students to articulate the skills developed during their undergraduate career and encourages them to critically reflect on their learning experience, to set new personal and academic goals and evaluate progress made in achieving those goals. PDP activities will be specifically incorporated into core modules on the course to ensure all students undertake reflective practises throughout their course of study.
Progress with Undergraduate Skills will be articulated to students as the programme progresses through feedback from tutors and peers enabling them to reflect on their progress based on the evidence available. This process assists students in developing as independent learners, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This will be of benefit throughout their future career. The final year project – which requires research of the topic, planning and executing practical activities, analysis of results and re-evaluation of the direction of the work provides an appropriate forum to emphasise the importance of reflection and of the skills (both transferable and subject-specific) gained during the course. Thus, by way of modules CH4001 Laboratory Science (Level 4); CH5007 Bioanalytical Science (Level 5); and CH6P01 Research Project (Level 6), students will progressively develop their PDP which will culminate in a CV and graduation statement. Students will take part in tutorials at all levels designed to facilitate discussion on what has been learnt in order that reflective learning will contribute to identifying objectives, success criteria, and action plans that can be included in PDPs.
The option exists for students to undertake an additional 30 credit module CH6W04 Sandwich Placement module to enhance employability. This would normally be undertaken between level 5 and 6, this would extend the period of study to four years. For part-time students in appropriate employment they can complete the module over an extended period during their degree rather than take a year out.

A process of personal development planning takes place throughout the course to help students to crystallise their aims, reflect on their progress and plan ahead in the context of employability and career goals. In addition there are formal arrangements for Practitioners and the Careers Service to contribute to the Laboratory Science module at Level 4 and the Project module at level 6. Further careers input will also be provided for those electing for the Work Placement module.

The Faculty will develop its own employability web pages on which will be provided model CVs, covering letters, graduation statements, job advertisements, job descriptions and person specifications for use by PAAs and students. A number of employer and alumni-led career events will be organised by the Faculty and by each Cluster Group.

External speakers are utilised to enhance delivery and maintain currency of laboratory practice within the field studied on this course. Students are encouraged to join the Society of Biology as student members to aid personal and professional development.

Pharmacologists are in high demand and there are opportunities to work in a wide variety of areas such as drug development, clinical trials and toxicity studies. Our previous graduates have gone on to find employment with companies such as Parexel.

Alternatively, you could choose to work in universities in either teaching or research, or continue your studies at postgraduate level.

You’ll also develop transferable skills such as team-working and research that can be applied to jobs in non-science industries, such as financial services, journalism and marketing.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum of grades CCD in three A levels including C in Biology and C in Chemistry (or a minimum of 88 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with MMM)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent eg, Key Skills Level 3)

Entry from appropriate foundation or Access courses will also be considered.

If you don’t have traditional qualifications or can’t meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Pharmacology BSc Extended Degree.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requ irements.