UDPHARMA - BSc Pharmacology

The Pharmacology pathway is intended to integrate the fundamentals of the  chemical and biological sciences to produce graduates who have a sound understanding of how therapeutic agents mediate their effects, and who have the ability to assess and interpret the action of drugs on biological systems.  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 (face-to-face and recorded), tutorial sessions, guided independent learning, use of IT-based material such as computer simulations, and peer-assisted sessions).

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 Science Centre provides an unrivalled facility in which to carry out the level 6 project module, providing the setting for the measurement of experimental and other practical skills.  BSc project assessment will culminate in the presentation of a dissertation and a viva exam or poster, designed to allow the student to demonstrate their depth of knowledge and understanding.
The course is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in pharmacology, and is therefore designed for students who have pharmacologically-related postgraduate study in mind.

The predominant aim of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills which will prepare them for employment or future study 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.

The QAA Subject Benchmark for Biomedical Sciences, and the British Pharmacological Society’s Undergraduate Core Curriculum have been used as reference points for each learning 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

CY4001 Laboratory Science
CY4051 General Chemistry
CY4052 Biochemistry
CY4003 Cell and Molecular Biology
CY4004 Anatomy & Physiology (for Chemical & Pharmaceutical Science)
BE5061 Human Immunity
CY5011 Drugs: Delivery and Action
CY5007 Analytical Science
BE5060 Molecular Biology
BE5058 Metabolism
BE5059 Microbiology
CY6P01
Or
BC6P01 Research Project
BE6005 Biochemical Pathology
CY6051 Systems Pharmacology
CY6065 Neuropharmacology
CY6011 Formulation & Manufacture
BE6056 Bioinformatics & Molecular modelling
BC6052 Virology
BC6051 Systems Pathology
BC6055 Medical Genetics
CY6061 Advanced Bioanalytical Science
CY6W54 Work Placement

Learning Outcomes cover LO1-10

The QAA Subject Benchmark for Biomedical Sciences

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.

The course conforms to both the University’s Undergraduate Scheme and the University Academic Regulations.

During the induction phase of the programme, students will be introduced to structured reflection on their development of Undergraduate Skills which constitute much of 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. One module at each level will be used to specifically develop employability and reflective activities. At level 4 this is CY4001 – Laboratory science and at level 5, CY5007 – Analytical Science. At level 6, CY6P01/BC6P01 – the Research project module is used – 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.

The option exists for students to undertake an additional 30 credit module CY6W04 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.

Students at all levels will take part in tutorials 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.

British Pharmacological Society’s Undergraduate Core Curriculum

Pharmacology graduates are typically employed in the pharmaceutical industry or in university laboratories; graduates also often undertake further study at postgraduate level. Other possible career paths include journalism, marketing, finance and teaching.

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.