This modular programme aims to enable postgraduate students to gain a detailed understanding of both practical and theoretical aspects of pharmaceutical science and equip them with the necessary skills to undertake individual and collaborative research. The programme will enable students to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research allied to drug development with global pharmaceutical companies, small-medium biotechnological enterprises, government funded research institutes and laboratories. Pharmaceutical Science is at the the interface of biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, toxicology and epidemiology, all of which will be studied in the degree programme. The programme will make use of recent research papers to inform group discussion and enhance critical thinking skills. Apart from taught modules in the programme, the student will also be trained in research from concept to delivery, culminating in an individual research project, which will foster independent laboratory study and ability.

Students will study:

Advanced Pharmaceutics

An understanding of dosage form design. The module includes the proceses required to turn a new chemical substance into a medication that can be used safely and effectively in patients.

Drug Design

Introduces the process of rational drug design and the development of drug products. In addition, the factors governing the relationship between drug structure and biological activity. Students will also study the chemistry of synthesising new compounds, product formulations and drug interactions

Research Skills

Introduces students to research concepts and methods in Pharmaceutical Science. In addition, the underlying principles of research planning and design, data collection methods, statistical, computer analysis and communication skills are addressed.

Research  Project

Experimental laboratory-based projects are preferred, although there is an option to do a literature-based project. This module requires a written report, oral presentation and contemporaneous project notebook. With negotiation the research project could be conducted in the workplace.

Plus students have the option to study one of the following modules:

Toxicology

The various mechanisms underlying toxicity and  the key drug metabolising enzymes which determine toxicity. Students will also study carcinogenesis and  pharmacogenetics.

Pharmaceutical Analysis

The knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of instrumental chemical analysis of drugs.

Bioinformatics

The skills in utilising online databases and interpreting data. The detailed understanding of how bioinformatics can be applied to solve specific problems in novel drug investigations.

Advanced Cellular Pharmacology and Physiology

Concepts and mechanisms in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and immuno-pharmacology with emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms. How current concepts in cellular pharmacology have evolved and their relevance in the clinical setting. Immuno-

This modular programme aims to produce postgraduate students with a sound knowledge of both the practical and theoretical aspects of Pharmaceutical Science, and the necessary skills to undertake individual and collaborative research. The programme is based around the development of new medicines, including the design, disposition, delivery, action and use of drugs.

For entry to this programme, students are required to have a minimum of a second class undergraduate degree from a UK university in a relevant subject or experience. Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to these criteria may be admitted to the programme at the admission tutors discretion which will normally involve an interview

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and speaking and 5.5 in reading and listening (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

• One year full time or two years part time for MSc and PG Diploma.
• One year part time for PG Certificate.
• Part time students take one taught module in semester A and one in semester B. In year two they take one taught module in semester A and the research skill module in semester B.
• The project is carried out in year 2.
• Taught modules are delivered in a semesterised system, with semesters running from September to January and February to June.
•  The research projects will run through the summer period

• Learning is encouraged through participation in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory-based practicals, web-based learning etc.
• In addition all students are expected to read extensively in their own time and get up to speed on current issues in Drug Discovery, Development, and Design and Drug Regulation.
• Success at university depends on developing your ability to study independently using library resources, Computer-assisted learning (CAL), handouts and web-based study activities.
• These skills are reinforced in modules in the first semester. These enable us to assess your independent learning needs at university, and also help to develop those transferable skills so important in working life. The skills with which you start the programme may vary considerably between individuals, so your personal tutor will direct your skills development work on an individual basis.

• Students are assessed in practical work and theory.
• In taught modules 40% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including laboratory work, data analysis, essays, oral presentations etc.) and the remaining 60% from written theory examinations at the end of the semester.
• The Research Skills module is assessed by coursework involving a variety of forms of presentation.
• The Research Project is assessed mainly by the final written report, with contributions from a poster presentation and portfolio.
• The pass mark for all modules is 50%

• The curriculum is tailored to current demand in pharmaceutical science and related areas such as drug discovery andregulation.
• Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills as well as academic knowledge.
• Part-time students in relevant employment may be permitted to carry out research projects at their place of work.

• Project work is an essential component of the Masters degree programme and one that most students enjoy. Small projects and group work exercises feature throughout the programme and the students will be given a thorough grounding in how to plan and execute pharmacological research.
• The individual research project is the culmination of the programme makes up 33% of the programme.
• Project work encourages students to show initiative in their individual work and enhance their critical thinking skills, and under supervision to use appropriate pharmacological techniques to generate and analyse experimental data.
• Dissertation preparation develops literature researching and written communication skills essential in professional development.

• Extensive personal support throughout the programme.
• Staff with extensive experience of teaching students from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Sound practical as well as academic training.
• Access to modern research facilities.
• Effective careers advice and support available

Most graduates would be expected to pursue research careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the National Health Service or Health Protection Agency,  in academic research in Universities, research institutes etc. Many students will acquire sufficient knowledge to allow them to go on to laboratory based careers. This degree can also be utilised by those students who would like to pursue a doctorate in areas allied to drug design, discovery and regulation.

The School of Health, Sport and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.

• When you arrive, you will be allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general. Your tutor will be responsible for directing your skills development work, by directing you to programmes which will tackle any areas in which your academic background may be deficient.
• The programme tutor may also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
• The School also has a Help Desk to provide administrative assistance and advise how to get the right help.
• Internet homepages are used by many staff to support their teaching and your learning.
• Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for all modules through UELPlus and UELDirect programme links.

Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as careers.

Support for students on a University level includes:

• Libraries and Learning Resource Centres 
• Careers advice and information · Counselling and Advice for practical problems
• Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty.
• Language tuition
• Dyslexia support
• Accommodation

• A small and friendly campus.
• A School with staff and facilities to match to the wide interests and backgrounds of students.
• Good connections with the Pharmaceutical industry, NHS and other employers.
• Close proximity to the Olympic Park
• Multiplex cinema, theatre, supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs a few minutes walk away in Stratford - a major site of new development in East London Multiplex cinema, theatre, supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs a few minutes walk away in Stratford. The vast retail and leisure development named Stratford City was opened in 2011.
• Central London only 20 minutes away by underground and extensive transport links with all parts of London

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specialised areas of Pharmaceutical Science and have an appreciation of the current range of theoretical and research understanding in those areas.
• Create, design and explore a research question in a specialised area of Pharmaceutical Science and evaluate this research with appropriate justification or create, design and explore a work-based learning project to evaluate an issue in practice.
• Have a systematic awareness of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of Pharmaceutical Science, drug design and development, quality control and drug regulation.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the latest research techniques used in the Pharmaceutical industry.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences using a variety of methods including written and oral presentations.
• Design and develop high quality dissertation and research proposal and present it in a suitable form.

Knowledge

• An in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical science including themes in traditional pharmacology to cutting edge technologies used in the pharmaceutical industry.
• A detailed appreciation of the current theories and research developments in Pharmaceutical Science.
• Traditional drug development strategies to the search for new drugs from natural products and the employment of 3-dimensional modelling
• An awareness of pharmaceuticall research and its importance in drug development.
• Understanding of the laboratory procedures and techniques used, which will allow the rapid acquisition of more specialist skills later in their career.
• An awareness of the wider implications of scientific research on society as a whole.

Thinking skills

• The ability to use integrated approaches to analyse and interpret complex and contradictory scientific information autonomously and to accurately assess and criticise your own and others' work.
• An awareness and understanding of the ethical constraints associated within the field of Pharmaceutical Science and the ability to relate these to your own experience.
• The ability to contribute to the development of the subject through applied study or research
• The ability to think creatively to analyse and solve problems in science.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• The ability to select and apply a range of practical skills relevant to Pharmaceutical Science.
• A higher level of competence in laboratory skills in Pharmaceutical Science.
• An ability to isolate, assess and resolve problems independently and to react effectively to unusual and unexpected situations.
• An improved ability to engage in professional and academic communication with others in the field of pharmaceutical science.
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate computer software, and to understand its limitations in presenting scientific data.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Increased ability to take responsibility for your own learning and the ability to work with and motivate others effectively.
• Ability to reflect critically on your own and others' performance resulting in the improvement of subsequent actions.
• Increased confidence in your own abilities.
• Improved skills in written and verbal communication of complex information.

The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. Teaching and assessment of taught modules is completed within each semester. The research project is completed in the summer period, between June and September. For part-time students, attendance is required on one full-day per week, for full-time students attendance is normally three days but this may be increased during the research project

• The order in which modules are taken will vary for different groups of students. This is possible because the modules are all free standing, except that the research skills module should be taken before the start of the project.
• Part-time MSc students study one taught module in semester A and a second taught module in Semester B of the first year. These are followed by the third taught module in semester A of year 2 and the research skills module in Semester B. We anticipate that most students taking the part time programme will be in related employment and will be able to devise projects which can be carried out at their place of work. Alternative arrangements will be made individually for students unable to do this, and the project would be taken in the summer period, normally of the second year.
• Full time students complete the whole programme in a single calendar year. The project would be taken in the summer period. Students starting in semester B will take one taught module and the Research Skills module in semester B, followed by the project in the summer period. Two further taught modules would be taken in semester A of the following academic year.
• Full-time Postgraduate Diploma students will take two taught modules semester A followed by one taught module and Research Skills in semester B. Students following this programme by part time study would normally take two taught modules in the first year of study, though this is not essential. Students can start this programme in full time or part time mode in either semester.
• Postgraduate Certificate students take the programme by part time day release, taking only two modules. These two modules can be taken in either order so students can start this programme in September or in February.

Knowledge is developed through

• Lectures
• Seminars and workshops
• Student centred learning – directed reading, assignment preparation

Thinking skills are developed through

• Tutorials
• Seminars and workshops
• Report writing and assignments
• Project work

Practical skills are developed through

• Laboratory practical sessions
• Individual research project
• Data analysis exercises
• Use of IT and library based resources
• Student presentations

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Student centred learning
• Seminar and workshop discussions
• Oral and written presentations
• Computer assignments
• Managing time
• Team work

Assessment will primarily consist of

• Module examinations and coursework
• A research proposal (2000 words)taken from the skills modules
• A 35-4000 word thesis (max 5000) that will be assessed by a viva voce.

Knowledge will be assessed by

• Examinations and coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Interim reports and Final oral examination

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Examinations and coursework(in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Final oral examination
• Tutorials with University and work-based supervisors

Practical skills are assessed by

• Laboratory practical / coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Reports from work based supervisors

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Laboratory practical/ coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Coursework reports
• Reports from work based supervisors

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning  and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation.  The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists.  The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions.  The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff).  The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality.  The programme committee plays a critical role in the  quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner.  External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluation questionnaires
• Student representation on the programme committee (meeting 2 times a year)
• Informal discussions with tutors

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• Circulating the minutes of the programme committee meetings to all members
• Providing details on the programme notice-board
• Oral feedback to students

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Feedback from previous students
• Discussions with employers