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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of the scientific discipline of pharmacology and how these fundamental principles can be applied to the understanding of drug actions in the various physiological systems of the body. Industry-based laboratory work experience will be open to students completing the year in industry which will entail working in an industrial laboratory research environment.
Overview
This programme offers a comprehensive understanding of how the scientific discipline of pharmacology is integral to the drug discovery and development process. You gain a detailed understanding of the variety of technical approaches and research strategies which underpin pharmacology and drug discovery. Use it as a progression route to MSc or PhD study, or employment in the bioscience/pharmaceutical industry. Teaching is by research-active experts in pharmacology, physiology and related scientific disciplines and you have the opportunity produce a substantial research project in an academic or industrial laboratory.
This programme is taught as a four-year programme incorporating an industrial placement of you can choose the classic full-time three-year Pharmacology and Physiology BSc programme.
Applying
When you are applying for the BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology and Physiology with a Year in Industry, please apply to the Medway School of Pharmacy, UCAS institution code name MEDSP, institution code M62.
Fees
For fees and other costs, please refer to the Medway School of Pharmacy website.
Independent rankings
Pharmacology and Pharmacy at Kent scored 92.6 out of 100 in The Complete University Guide 2019.
In the National Student Survey 2018, 87% of final-year Pharmacy students who completed the survey, were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
Of Pharmacy and Pharmacology students who graduated from Kent in 2017 and completed a national survey, 100% were in professional work or further study within six months (DLHE).
Teaching Excellence Framework
All University of Kent courses are regulated by the Office for Students.
Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK.
Please see the University of Kent's Statement of Findings for more information.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Programme structure
Stage 1
- Physiology and Pharmacology (30 credits)
- Cell Biology and Biochemistry (30 credits)
- Medicinal Products (30 credits)
- Basic Laboratory Skills (15 credits)
- Analytical Techniques in Pharmacology (15 credits)
Stage 2
- Pharmacokinetics (15 credits; core)
- Cardiovascular Respiratory and Renal Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Immunopharmacology and Microbiology (15 credits; core)
- Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Research Methods in Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Neuropharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Introduction to Toxicology (15 credits; elective)
- Introduction to Biopharmaceuticals and Gene Therapy (15 credits; elective)
Stage 3
- Receptor Mechanisms and Molecular Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Clinical Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Professional Skills in Pharmacology (15 credits; core)
- Drug Discovery and Development (15 credits; core)
- Pharmacology Physiology Project (30 credits; core)
- Advanced Neuropharmacology (15 credits; elective)
- Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology (15 credits; elective)
Year in industry
The principal laboratory activities will take place in an industrial laboratory. The placement normally begins following the second year. During your placement, you have the opportunity to put into practice skills you have acquired during your first two years of the programme, as well as acquire new skills that will enhance your future employability. The School will support you in the application process to attain you placement. However it is your responsibility to secure the placement. You will maintain contact with your personal tutors during your year in industry.
Placements are normally in a pharmaceutical/drug discovery company or government research institute. You may work in the UK or abroad for your placement.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching/Learning
The programme is taught as a four-year full-time programme including a year in industry placement. It is intended that this programme will involve a combination of (i) formal lecture-based learning, (ii) laboratory practicals to complement material taught in lectures and to emphasise key principles with practical demonstrations, and (iii) seminar-based question and answer sessions to facilitate in-depth understanding of key concepts. In addition to timetabled direct contact learning sessions, there are also a variety of self-learning components including managed student-centred learning (MSCL) exercises and the availability of computer-aided learning (CAL) software to further solidify your understanding.
Assessment
Formal summative assessment assessed against the learning outcomes via written examination, coursework assignments, written assignments, problem solving, presentations, laboratory participation and performance and a final year research project report.
Contact Hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Learning outcomes
Intellectual skills
- Ability to formulate research questions and design appropriate experiments in order to attempt to answer these questions.
- Ability to analyse and interpret research data obtained from a variety of technical approaches used in pharmacology and related scientific disciplines.
- Ability to place results obtained from complex experiments in context, both in terms of unanalysed data and the wider scientific literature.
- Ability to work in a self-directed manner and demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems.
- Ability to critically appraise proposed experimental strategies used to evaluate drug action in the context of molecular interactions up to in vivo and human clinical trials.
- Recognition of the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciation of the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
Subject-specific skills
- Training in basic laboratory skills and plate-based reading technology.
- Training in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological preparations in relation to drug action within various physiological systems.
- Detailed training in molecular biological, enzymological and electrophysiological techniques relevant to pharmacology and related scientific disciplines.
- Training in safety studies and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models and techniques as they are required by, and relate to, pharmacology.
Transferable skills
- Problem solving skills relating to experimental data.
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- Numeracy and statistical skills.
- Information Technology skills.
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Study skills eg developing the independent learner; developing the ability to work effectively in a team.
Careers
There are a variety of career paths and opportunities available to pharmacology graduates. The scientific skills learnt within a pharmacology degree make graduates attractive to a wide range of employers. Pharmacology, with its long association with the pharmaceutical industry, can help to prepare graduates for jobs within pharmaceutical and drug discovery companies. Pharmacology graduates have played a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry and have been integral to drug discovery and development.
The year in industry, following the second year of the BSc, will further hone the skills gained in the first two years of study and help students to develop new skills that will be attractive to potential employers.
Outside of the academic or industrial lab, the skills that pharmacology graduates have are welcome in fields such as drug regulation, teaching, pharmaceutical marketing, scientific writing and journalism.
Many students upon completing the BSc continue their studies by taking an MSc, MRes or a PhD. The pharmacology degree can also be used to apply for graduate entry to study medicine or dentistry. However, the pharmacology degree is not a qualification to be a pharmacist, which would require a pharmacy degree (MPharm).
Entry requirements
- You should have good aptitude and enthusiasm for science and scientific discovery.
- You should be numerate and confident with mathematics.
- You should have a willingness to develop the practical and intellectual skills needed to gain a full appreciation of the scientific discipline of pharmacology.
- You should wish to obtain advanced scientific/laboratory training relevant to the scientific discipline of pharmacology or related scientific disciplines.
- You may wish to undertake a research project or placement in an industrial/pharmaceutical laboratory.
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Typical requirements are listed below. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB preferably including Biology and Chemistry and C in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The Medway School of Pharmacy welcomes students with vocational qualifications and/or relevant work experience, and will continue to judge each student on his/her individual merits. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 26-30 points overall with 14 points at Higher level, preferably in sciences (eg chemistry, biology, physics) |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
However, please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
See the Medway School of Pharmacy website for details of funding opportunities.