Pharmaceutical Science
Entry requirements
A level
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You should have GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
UCAS Tariff
A minimum of 112 points from A levels including a C in Chemistry, or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Progression Diploma or Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**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 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.
**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.
Modules
The modules listed below are subject to change. Please see the university webpage for the most up-to-date full module details:
First year modules:
Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits);
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Fundamental Chemical Concepts (core, 15 credits);
Introduction to Organic Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits);
Key Principles in Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Second year modules:
Organic Unsaturated Molecules (core, 15 credits);
Principles of Pharmacodynamics (core, 15 credits);
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits);
Coordination and Solution Chemistry of d and f block Complexes (option, 15 credits)
Metabolism (option, 15 credits);
Molecular biology (option, 15 credits);
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits);
Organic Ring Systems (core, 15 credits);
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (core, 15 credits);
Solid State and Organometallic Chemistry (option, 15 credits);
Human Immunity (option, 15 credits);
Microbiology (option, 15 credits)
Third year modules:
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions (core, 15 credits);
Research Project (core, 30 credits);
Advanced Organic Chemistry (alternative core, 15 credits);
Natural Products (alternative core, 15 credits);
Systems Pharmacology (option, 15 credits);
Advanced Inorganic Techniques (option, 15 credits);
Work Placement (for Live Sciences) (option, 15 credits);
Sandwich Placement (option, 15 credits);
Medicinal Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Formulations and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semi-solids (core, 15 credits);
Neuropharmacology (option, 15 credits);
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (option, 15 credits);
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option 15 credits)
Fourth year modules:
Advanced Drug Formulation (core, 20 credits);
Research Project for Pharmaceutical Science (core, 60 credits);
Drug Discovery Technology (option, 20 credits);
Drug Delivery Systems (core, 20 credits);
Pharmaceutical Analysis (option, 20 credits)
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed via a range of methods, including presentations, log books, portfolio submissions, viva, in-class tests and unseen examinations.
In Year 4 your main focus will be the investigative project, which will build on the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in the previous three years and be assessed via a dissertation and a viva.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Chemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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