BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
- UCAS code: B210
- Mode of study: Full time
- Duration: 3 years
- Entry requirements 2013: BBC from 3 A levels including Biology or Chemistry plus one other pure Science subject or Mathematics. Applied Science not accepted. If the applicant is not studying Chemistry at A level, an AS level Chemistry at grade C is required.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5550
Email: sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Course overview
Pharmacology is the science concerned with the study of drugs and how they work. It is closely linked to medicine and involves the search for new drugs and the investigation of how they can best be used in the treatment of disease in man and animals. Pharmacology incorporates several scientific disciplines and is based upon a knowledge of physiology, biochemistry and chemistry. Anyone with an inclination to science and a desire to promote human and animal health should consider pharmacology as a career.Course content
Course structure
The pathway is unitised and divided into three stages (for full-time students a stage normally represents one year’s study). Most units are worth 20-credit points and represent approximately 60 hours of contact time (laboratories, lectures, seminars and tutorials), plus approximately 120 hours of private study time. Most units are core units that must be studied. However, elective units are also built into the structure, allowing you to specialise in particular aspects of pharmacological sciences or to study a foreign language.
Unit structure
Stage one
- Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology
- Medical Biology and Genetics
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Lab Skills
- Dosage Form Design
- Additional optional units
- Introduction to Laboratory Skills and Analytical Techniques
Stage two
- Drug Development and Pharmacokinetics
- Respiratory, Renal and Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Inflammation, Inflammatory Diseases and Infective Organisms
- Endocrine and Gastrointestinal
- Pharmacology
- Careers and Research Methods
- Neuropharmacology
- Additional optional units
Stage three
- Cellular and Molecular Drug Targets
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Project or Industry-Based Laboratory Work Experience
- Professional Skills in Pharmacology
- Antineoplastic and Antimicrobial Agents
- Additional optional units
- Neuropharmacology
- Clinical Drug Development and Pharmacology
In the final stage of the pathway, you will carry out a laboratory-based project with normally an opportunity to compete for a limited number of industry-based projects and Erasmus placements. This helps to develop skills in laboratory research and presentation of scientific findings, and forms an important foundation for those who intend to carry on postgraduate studies as well as research and development in both industrial and academic environments.
The BSc (Hons) Pharmacology degree pathway is closely linked with other degree pathways offered within the School, especially Master of Pharmacy (MPharm).
Career prospects
A variety of employment opportunities are open to graduates with a degree in pharmacology:
Postgraduate studies: many graduates opt to undergo further, more specialised study, either a one-year taught course to obtain a Master’s degree (MSc) or three years of postgraduate research for a Doctorate (PhD).
Research and development: you are likely to be working for the pharmaceutical industry in laboratory-based research, developing new drugs and testing them in pre-clinical studies.
Marketing: you are likely to work in pharmaceutical sales, promoting your company’s products to various client groups. This will involve you visiting GPs or hospitals on a regular basis.
Clinical trials: here you are involved in organising and reporting clinical tests of new therapies. You may be visiting clinicians participating in trials or analysing data generated from trials.
Academic research: your degree allows you access to research opportunities in a variety of life sciences.
Teaching: you are well placed to become a teacher at all levels, from schools to higher education institutions.
Regulatory affairs: here you are concerned with the licensing of medicines, ensuring that products comply with national and international regulations.