What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list as these could change before your year of entry. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Year 1
Years 1 and 2 are shared with the Pharmaceutical Science BSc(Hons) course.
Year 1 introduces biology, chemistry and physiology, and pharmaceutical science itself. The Foundation Chemistry for Pharmaceutical Science module introduces formulation science, pharmacokinetics and molecular modelling, emphasising practical work and instrumental techniques. An academic skills module covers mathematics, statistics, generic study skills and information technology, giving you skills valued by employers.
Core modules
Introduction to Spectroscopy and Experimental Techniques
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and procedures such as weighing and volumetry, proceeding to descriptions of laboratory manipulations, elemental analysis and general practical knowledge. There is included an introduction to spectroscopic techniques in terms of simple theory, as well as a practical introduction to the identification of simple organic compounds. These compounds will sometimes be synthesised in the course of the practical element of the module, which will also serve to demonstrate laboratory techniques of preparation and purification of these organic materials.
Academic Skills for Molecular Sciences
30 credits
This is a core module for all chemistry and pharmaceutical science programmes. The module aims to give you a thorough grounding in mathematics, statistics, key and transferable skills (e.g. exam strategy, effective use of calculators, library and referencing, avoiding plagiarism, problem solving and personal development planning etc.) and IT skills.
Foundation Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for Pharmaceutical Science degree courses. The module revises some content taught at A-Level before expanding on this content to give foundation knowledge of the core chemistry concepts required for progress within the field of pharmaceutical science.
Bioscience 1
30 credits
This module introduces the fundamental principles of the biochemical processes that occur within the cell. he module deals with prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, basic tissue types, microbial entities and organisms that include; viruses, bacteria and fungi. In addition, It is designed to introduce cell biology and microbiology, particularly with reference to human physiology and the pathological microorganisms affecting it. The module progresses from the subcellular through to the cellular and then to tissues and a few selected organ systems; examining the mechanisms that maintain homeostatic balance.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Describe the major cell components of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, their chemical metabolites and macromolecular components, together with the structure and composition of cellular entities including; chromosomes, genes, membranes and organelles.
- Describe the variety of organisms studied in the discipline of microbiology and the fundamental aspects of disease caused by microbial organisms.
- Explain the common metabolic pathways involved in the anabolism and catabolism of simple and complex molecules and their control and regulation.
- Describe information storage and utilisation within cells.
- Discuss the structural and functional characteristics of major tissue types of the human body and relate the importance of the variety of organ systems in the body to homeostatic mechanisms.
Year 2
Year 2 places emphasis on organic and medicinal chemistry and develops practical skills, especially in pharmaceutical analysis - important in relation to the actions and characterisation of drugs. Building on the pharmaceutical chemistry learned in Year 1, you will study the properties and formulation of pharmaceuticals. You will also study the effect of drugs in living systems and the principles of the immune system. There will be an introduction to micro-organisms in relation to human disease, their control and safe working practices. Year 2 features a focus on experimental pharmaceutical chemistry, developing skills for conducting independent laboratory investigations. There is also the opportunity to develop other transferable skills, important to your employability and career planning.
Core modules
Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module Level 5 module for the Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science fields.
The module seeks to develop and expand your knowledge of both Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry subject areas and introduces important principles, reactions and mechanisms in organic chemical reactivity as well as basic mechanisms of drug action. It develops your understanding of the methodology of organic synthesis following concepts introduced at level 4 and includes important organic chemistry topics such as carbanion reactivity of carbonyl compounds, the reactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, stereochemistry, asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis
It also introduces the specific reasons why a small amount of a drug molecule can exert a complex biological response. It uses examples from a range of medicinal areas in order to illustrate these key processes as well as giving an introduction on the ideas of drug design and the role this plays in the modern pharmaceutical industry.
This module also gives you experience of using spectroscopic techniques for chemical structure elucidation. Lectures and workshops are designed to develop your problem solving and team working skills. Practical skills will also be developed during two 3-hour laboratory experiments from week 9-12 of teaching block 1. These experiments will reinforce the concepts of enolate and aromatic chemistry taught during teaching block 1. In teaching block 2, you will also present a poster concerning a medicinal natural product, to integrate organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry in a real-world context. This module is essential those wishing to take the more advanced Level 6 Organic Chemistry modules.
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics
30 credits
This module incorporates elements of pharmacology, toxicology, immunology and pharmaceutics (including formulation science). The module gives a grounding in the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion which underlies many of the toxicological and pharmacological effects of biological agents. In addition, how drug formulation affects the bioavailability of a drug and how the physiology of the human system affects these processes will be discussed. The module includes an introduction to immunology which is considered important as recent developments in drug development involve antibodies as therapeutic agents. Major factors involved in the effective and safe delivery of therapeutic agents to human populations will be reviewed.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate how different formulations of a medicinal product affect pharmacodynamics (how drugs cause change in the body) and pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion).
- Outline the concepts of both the innate and adaptive immune system.
- Examine the effects and response to environmental, chemical and microbial toxins.
- Discuss the various types of dosage form design and explain the relevant physico-chemical principles involved in the choice of dosage form.
Analytical Science
30 credits
This module is a core requirement in the Pharmaceutical Science, Forensic science and Biochemistry fields. The module introduces students to the applications of analytical science within analytical biochemistry, clinical chemistry, forensic analysis and the pharmaceutical sciences. It allows you to build your knowledge, practical skills and interpretation skills whilst implementing the analytical process model using scenario-based learning.
Practical and Research Skills in Pharmaceutical Science
30 credits
This module deals with new laboratory techniques to enable development of practical skills and data interpretation through a range of experiments that encompass organic synthesis, drug formulation and pharmacology/immunology. The module aims to provide the skills and methodologies to partake in a research programme, such as literature searching, data analysis and producing a short critical analysis of a research article.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Employ a variety of practical techniques to prepare isolate, purify and identify synthesised compounds and/or drugs/metabolites.
- Use appropriate computer-aided resources to complete assignments, draw chemical structures; to retrieve information from databases and analysis of data and/or research paper.
- Demonstrate an awareness for research planning and execution.
- Produce a short critical analysis of a current/topical research journal article.
- Carry out research on potential careers open to pharmaceutical science graduates and to present and explain findings to peer group.
- Plan and report practical work in a manner appropriate to the pharmaceutical industry.
Year 3
Year 3 shares some modules with our Pharmaceutical Science BSc(Hons) degree, including a module that deepens your knowledge base in natural product chemistry, and another that develops and enhances your analytical skills, crucial for the testing and evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products.
Core modules
Organic and Natural Product Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for Chemistry and M. Pharm. Sci degree courses, and is optional for the BSc. Pharm. Sci. Degree course. The module builds upon and develops further, topics introduced in the earlier level 5 module CH5002, for example, stereoselective synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. In addition, new topics are introduced such as pharmacognosy, combinatorial chemistry, photochemistry, free radical chemistry and pericyclic reactions. The lectures and associated workshops will encourage the development of problem solving and team working skills, in order to prepare you for your future careers. These skills will be practised during laboratory-based exercises, where you will participate in group "mini-projects" which will be assessed using a range of methodologies that include oral presentations, report writing and poster presentations.
Drug Development
30 credits
This module deals with the pharmacology involved in the treatment of various disease types and details the synthetic chemistry behind the development of drug molecules and evaluates the structure activity effects from pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic perspectives. The module also outlines the process for intellectual property protection and exploitation, toxicological events that might affect the body and the body's immunological response to toxic insult or disease.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the mode of action of a range of modern drugs against a number of disease states.
- Demonstrate practical skills in drug synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation.
- Critically evaluate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of changes to the structure of certain drugs and suggest appropriate synthetic methodology to accomplish this.
- Describe a range of toxins and their effects on the body and how the body may respond.
- Explain the process for patent protection and the steps involved in bringing a drug from bench to market.
Topics in Pharmaceutical Science
30 credits
This module is a core module for the Pharmaceutical Science BSc and Integrated Masters courses. This module aims to address the need for a synoptic/capstone module which draws the whole course together. It introduces various aspects of chemical and pharmaceutical industry pertinent to their future career and aims to cover a wide range of topics covering Drug Delivery, Polymers and Biomaterials, patents, intellectual property, health and safety, and legislation. Many of the descriptive parts of the module are reinforced by workshops and group debate to develop their communication, teamwork and independent learning skills. There are also lectures, workshops and practical sessions to demonstrate and reinforce the concept learnt.
Optional modules
Advanced Analytical Science
30 credits
This is a core module of MPharmSci (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science and MChem(Hons) Chemistry and an option for BSc(Hons) Chemistry and BSc(Hons) Pharmaceutical Science students. It takes forward the themes of spectroscopy that were introduced in the previous modules and develops a more rigorous theoretical footing and advanced applications. In parallel to this, analytical themes are introduced covering radiochemical analysis, electroanalysis and thermal analysis.
Year 4
In Year 4, you will spend half of your time working on your research project, enhancing your skills in experiment design, critical analysis, problem solving and laboratory work. The project also provides an opportunity to display initiative and creativity. In addition, you will take advanced masters-level modules in the Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines and Advanced Organic and Medicinal Chemistry.
Core modules
Research Project
60 credits
The project module is core for MChem and MPharmSci courses and is designed to foment the necessary conceptual and practical skills in research, which are immediately applicable across disciplines and to enable the development of communications skills for the dissemination of the outcomes of research. Where possible, research should be communicated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Advanced Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for MChem and MPharmSci degree courses. The module expands on previously taught material to give students a detailed understanding of the chemistry, processes and methodologies involved in developing modern pharmaceuticals from lead identification, medicinal design principles and process development leading up to industrial scale synthesis of the active ingredients. Detailed case studies of example diseases will be used to highlight the methodologies utilised by modern pharmaceutical companies in the design of current and future drugs.
Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines
30 credits
This module introduces you to the different phases and types of clinical trials and the associated legal, regulatory and ethical issues. This includes statistical data analyses and how to manage and review clinical trial data in relation to evidence- based medicine. The technology and application of the manufacture of various medicine formulations are discussed and the place of biotechnological products introduced. The module also covers elements of medicines regulation with particular reference to the UK and European Union. Regulations are dealt with both within a general framework and specific areas including manufacturing, dealing with specialist products, regulation in clinical use, and licensing.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Explain the different types of preclinical and clinical trials, their application in terms of comparative values and safety and the associated ethical considerations.
- Correlate and analyse data from and assess outcomes of both clinical trials and post-marketing pharmacovigilance data.
- Critically evaluate clinical trial procedures to ensure compliance with Good Clinical and Manufacturing Practices and legislation (European and other).
- Link the role of trials to the introduction of medical products and devices that have been granted Marketing Authorisations ie the approved uses, including the limitations that trial results may have on the commercial products
- Review and design a viable strategy for targeting disease states that are appropriate for successful therapeutic management.
- Contrast drugs belonging to a designated therapeutic area but originate from different sources, in terms of production, mode of action, and efficacy in the patient including regulatory concerns.
