Why study this course?
The Pharmacology (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) degree is the perfect start to your university studies if you’re interested in starting a career in science, but can’t meet the entry requirements for a traditional three-year degree in pharmacology. This four-year course has a built-in foundation year designed to give you the key skills in pharmacology you’ll need to advance through the rest of the course.
The course will help you pursue a career in the development and testing of new drugs for illnesses such as schizophrenia and cancer.
More about this course
On the foundation year of your course you’ll become familiar with the fundamental principles of chemistry, biochemistry, biology and mathematics. You’ll learn about the essential molecules that cells consist of and the roles of cells within the body, as well as logical argument making and how to practice safely within a laboratory environment.
The foundation year of this course is shared with several other science-related foundation degrees which allows you to study among other students who are interested in various science subjects.
There will be some flexibility to change your subject during your foundation year should you decide you’d like to specialise in another area of study.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
Biochemistry (core, 15 credits)
Biology (core, 30 credits)
Chemistry (core, 30 credits)
Foundation Year Project (CPS) (core, 15 credits)
Scientific Studies (core, 30 credits)
Year 1 modules include:
Anatomy and Physiology Sem 1 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology Sem 2 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
Biochemistry for Life Sciences (core, 15 credits)
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits)
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Human Immunity (core, 15 credits)
Metabolism (core, 15 credits)
Microbiology (core, 15 credits)
Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits)
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (core, 15 credits)
Principles of Pharmacodynamics (core, 15 credits)
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits)
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Biochemical Pathology (core, 15 credits)
Neuropharmacology (core, 15 credits)
Systems Pharmacology (core, 15 credits)
Toxicology (core, 15 credits)
Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
Research Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits)
Bioinformatics & Molecular Modelling (option, 15 credits)
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions (option, 15 credits)
Formulations and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semi-solids (option, 15 credits)
Medical Genetics (option, 15 credits)
Sandwich Placement (option, 30 credits)
Systems Pathology (option, 15 credits)
Virology (option, 15 credits)
Work Placement (for Life Sciences) (option, 15 credits)
Where this course can take you
There are many career paths available to you as a pharmacology graduate. You could become an Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, pharmacologist, medical chemist, Toxicologist or a research scientist in medicine or the life sciences.
You could also choose to boost your earning potential by studying a postgraduate degree.
What is a degree with foundation year?
This is a four-year degree course with a built-in foundation year (Year 0). It’s the perfect route into university if you can’t meet the necessary entry requirements or don’t have the traditional qualifications required to start a standard undergraduate degree. You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.
