Why study this course?
This Pharmaceutical Science MSci is a four-year course that combines bachelor’s and master’s levels of study. You’ll be taught about the methods used to develop safe drugs that are able to reach specific parts of the body with minimal side effects.
This course will give you the opportunity to explore regulatory frameworks that govern the progression of new chemical entities to the marketplace that will enable you to work safely in the mainstream pharmaceutical, biotech or healthcare and consumer industries. On graduation you will be able to demonstrate to future employers that you’re equipped to work ethically and professionally in the design of medicines for healthcare.
The Pharmaceutical Science undergraduate degree course is also accredited by The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS).
More about this course
This MSci degree is a four-year programme, developed to endow you with the knowledge and expertise to understand how modern pharmaceuticals are constructed for specific deployment and controlled release of therapeutic agents.
The course will combine elements of biology and chemistry to examine how drugs affect the human body. In your first year you’ll learn the fundamentals in both disciplines, as well as the fundamentals of lab-based work. After the first year you’ll study these topics in greater depth and have the opportunity to specialise in subjects that interest you, including inorganic chemistry, microbiology, advanced bioanalytical science, neuropharmacology and much more.
During your final year you will focus on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic who is an active researcher in contemporary drug delivery systems and emerging technologies.
All modules are taught by experts in their field and are supported by an online web-based learning environment accessible from outside the University at any time. Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical workshops. You will also have the opportunity to liaise with academic mentors to fine tune your self-directed study.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
Fundamental Chemical Concepts (core, 15 credits)
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Organic Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Key Principles in Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Organic Ring Systems (core, 15 credits)
Organic Unsaturated Molecules (core, 15 credits)
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (core, 15 credits)
Principles of Pharmacodynamics (core, 15 credits)
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits)
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits)
Coordination and solution chemistry of d and f block complexes (option, 15 credits)
Human Immunity (option, 15 credits)
Metabolism (option, 15 credits)
Microbiology (option, 15 credits)
Molecular Biology (option, 15 credits)
Solid State and Organometallic Chemistry (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions (core, 15 credits)
Formulations and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semi-solids (core, 15 credits)
Medicinal Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Research Project (core, 30 credits)
Advanced Organic Chemistry (alternative core, 15 credits)
Natural Products (alternative core, 15 credits)
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits)
Advanced Inorganic Techniques (option, 15 credits)
Neuropharmacology (option, 15 credits)
Sandwich Placement (option, 30 credits)
Systems Pharmacology (option, 15 credits)
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (option, 15 credits)
Work Placement (for Life Sciences) (option, 15 credits)
Year 4 modules include:
Advanced Drug Formulation Technologies (core, 20 credits)
Drug Delivery Systems (core, 20 credits)
Research Project for Pharmaceutical Science (core, 60 credits)
Drug Discovery Technology (option, 20 credits)
Pharmaceutical Analysis (option, 20 credits)
Where this course can take you
Following successful completion of this course you will be able to go into roles relating to:
- the formulation and manufacture of pharmaceuticals
- pharmacovigilance
- drug safety
- regulatory affairs
There is also a strong emphasis on developing transferable skills throughout the course, equipping you with extensive analytical and mathematical skills, which would allow you to pursue roles in teaching, finance, management and more.
