Pharmacology and Drug Discovery MSc

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course
 

• Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge industry techniques. We provide practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. You will be trained in pharmacology research strategies and you should gain an understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, opportunities for innovation, and regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues.
• Research-inspired teaching from an experienced academic team with extensive experience of laboratory research in pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, small-molecular inhibitors of viruses and ageing, as well as input from experts in our Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences research centre.
• Regular guest lectures from current practitioners in the pharmacology industry, laboratory research and other areas of science including pharmacology, drug design and development and clinical trials (subject to availability).
• A focus on developing laboratory and other scientific skills, so laboratory sessions form a substantial component of the learning experience, enabling you to learn key experimental techniques and to develop essential experimental, data handling and reporting skills required in biological and other careers. Other skills, such as literature researching, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics are integrated within the course.
• Our practical, vocational approach to teaching has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction among ‘Biology and related Sciences’ students – 95% overall compared to a sector average of 83% in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2020.
   

What you'll study
 

This master’s course is designed to expand your knowledge of the pharmacological, molecular, biochemical, cell biological and genetic techniques underpinning modern pharmacology and drug discovery and how they can be used to solve real world problems and benefit society.

We provide hands-on practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. You will be trained in pharmacology research strategies and gain an understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, opportunities for innovation, and regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues. 
 

Modules

• Research Techniques in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery - 30 credits

  This module combines computational biology, bioinformatics and pharmacology to develop your technical skills in pharmacology and drug discovery. A further, important, aspect of this module is to provide a thorough grounding in quantitative skills in pharmacology including statistics. A development of your awareness and the critical analysis of current literature is also fulfilled in this module through regular workshops and tutorials.

  Compulsory
   

• Principles of Pharmacology and Drug Discovery - 20 credits

  The module will aim to provide you with an understanding of the drug discovery process from identification of novel targets to the introduction of new drugs into clinical practice. The module will enable you to explain how novel targets for drugs are identified, understand current drug screening methods with respect to their desired activity and appreciate the limitations of both pre-clinical and clinical screening methods using contemporary examples. Students will also encompass information needed to introduce a new drug to clinical practice including the function and operation of the Medicines and Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and post-approval drug monitoring and surveillance.

  Compulsory
   

• Current Topics in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery - 15 credits

  This module aims to provide you with an overview of translational medicine from an academic, commercial, public sector and global perspective. You will use real life case studies as examples of translational medicine. The topics will emphasise new and/or pipeline drugs including biologics, cell-based therapies and devices. The module will also allow you to appreciate novel approaches using primary research data/methodologies to design pre-clinical and clinical studies, with a specific focus on enhancing the discovery of new therapeutic agents for specific patient groups.

  Compulsory
   

• Drug Discovery: ‘from Benchside to Bedside’ - 15 credits

  This module aims to provide an experience which tracks the drug discovery process from target identification and initial ligand screen, through in vitro cell toxicity assays, culminating in the use of METIman to observe the effects of the drugs in a life size, fully wireless, human simulation under artificial intelligence control.

  Compulsory
   

• Critical Review in Pharmacology - 10 credits

  This module is designed to consolidate theoretical knowledge and practical skills developed in previous modules and develop your skills as critical readers of scientific literature. You will be instructed on the critical review process and will have opportunities to practice this skill through discussion groups with your peers and tutor, before embarking on your own critical evaluation of a published scientific research article in pharmacology and drug discovery.

  Compulsory
   

• Pharmacology Scientific Presentation - 10 credits

  The aim of the module is to allow you to utilise your knowledge of contemporary/advanced pharmacology and drug discovery, and discuss challenges in treatment of diseases. You will utilise your entrepreneurship skills, gained in the Global Professional Development module, to consider a suitable market. You will present their ideas in the form of a scientific poster at a School Symposium.

  Compulsory
   

• Global Professional Development – Entrepreneurial Practice - 10 credits

  This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategic and entrepreneurial way whatever the master’s degree of specialisation you elect to follow. You will explore for example, the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, the principles of entrepreneurial practice and understand the different contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish as well as the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership within different types of organisational scenarios.

  Compulsory
   

• Pharmacology and Drug Discovery MSc only
   

  Research Principles and Preparation - 10 credits
  This module aims to provide a detailed consideration of the complex processes necessary to formulate, develop and test a scientific/clinical hypothesis. You will apply these to the design of an individual research experiment in a chosen area.
   

  Research Project - 60 credits
  You will be required to carry out a series of investigative, analytical or experimental studies in your selected field within biomolecular sciences and present your findings in a scientific manner.

  Compulsory
   

• Pharmacology and Drug Discovery MSc with Professional Experience only
   

  Professional Experience Preparation - 10 credits
  The module aims to prepare you for your forthcoming professional experience. It introduces expectations of you in the workplace, with reinforcement of the transferable skills, attitudes and competencies expected by the employer. You will be supported to make applications and secure suitable professional experience opportunities.
   

  Professional Experience in Life Science 1 and 2 - 0 credits
  These two modules aim to provide you with a substantive professional experience. This may take the form of a professional experience with a host organisation, which may include the university, or a campus based professional experience. The module should help support the development of your personal and professional skills, including team working, communication, self-management and critical reflection, to enhance future employability.
   

  Life Sciences Professional Experience Project and Reflection - 60 credits
  You will be required to report, analyse and critically evaluate your research findings gathered during the Professional Experience period. It is designed to enable you to demonstrate critical thinking ability, appropriate use of statistical analyses where relevant and a broad understanding of the context and prior knowledge framework into which your research study fits.
   

  Compulsory
   

An honour's degree in a life sciences, pharmacology or clinical sciences undergraduate course; with a minimum of a lower second class (2:2) classification (2:1 for the ‘with Professional Experience’ course).

We would normally be looking for study of the following subjects in the final year of an undergraduate degree programme: physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology or pharmacology.
 

English language requirements

• Pharmacology MSc - IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component area
• Pharmacology MSc with Professional Experience - IELTS: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each component area

International Fees
£16,950 | £19,350 (with prof. experience) per year

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship
You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.

Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.
 

The scholarship application deadline is:
September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

This master’s aims to produce scientists who can pursue a range of careers including academic, commercial, industrial and healthcare applications of pharmacology. It also provides an excellent foundation for those wishing to undertake research at PhD level.

If you choose the extended ‘With Professional Experience’ route, you will have the opportunity to gain substantive professional experience and have the option of applying for an internship with a host of different organisations or participate in supervised, campus-based projects2. Internships have previously been organised with, for example, Cambridge Scientific Solutions, Lytegro, Warwick Ventures, Tickle’s Pickles and Severn Trent.

The programme is specifically designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required for a career within the pharmacology and drug development arena and there may be many opportunities, both the UK and internationally.

A large number of pharmacologists are employed by companies in the pharmaceutical industry, where they are involved in discovering and developing drugs and carrying out clinical trials. Pharmacologists may also work for contract research organisations (CROs) or academic departments within universities on research projects. There may also be opportunities within government laboratories (including environmental agencies), charity-funded research organisations, such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), and with other research institutes.

The scientific knowledge and skills you should acquire upon successful completion of this course can also be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing (such as medical writing or writing for the media); clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services, regulatory affairs or sales and marketing.