University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2018/19 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience > Pharmacology with Study in Industry (in final year) (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PHPH006U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Neil Marrion
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biomedical science (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The MSci programme aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of pharmacology, ranging from the fundamental principles of drug-receptor theory through to the importance and implications of drugs in society. Students will gain an understanding of the processes involved in drug design, from molecule to new therapeutic agents. Students will also learn about the scope of Pharmacology, i.e. how drugs interact with body constituents to produce therapeutic effects and how the effects of drugs on biological systems can be studied and quantified. The students will gain early exposure (year 3) to industrial methodologies and to a variety of advanced technologies that are rarely experienced in the university environment. The programme is designed primarily for those students who intend to pursue a career as practicing pharmacologists, carrying out pharmacological research in industry or in academia.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their studies at level one, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core aspects of Pharmacology and a level of competence in the relevant skills. It is expected that students should be able to relate this basic knowledge to a more detailed or advanced understanding of the subject later in the programme. The expectation is that their work at this level may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level two students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of Pharmacology in selected areas. They should also have developed a higher and broader level of competence in the relevant skills and practical techniques. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning, setting and achieving aims, and analysing their own performance. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level three students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of Pharmacology through their study of the core curriculum and through their literary and practical work. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at levels one and two, applying knowledge gained through formal teaching to new and as yet unexplored systems. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
The work at this level will be informed by the latest research approaches and findings and, through the year spent in industry, will enable direct interaction with the international pharmacological research community. Students will become fully conversant with the principles of a research-led learning environment. During the final year, students will attend a series of advanced topic seminars, from which they will select 1 or 2 to explore in depth. They will undertake a project where they will research and construct a research grant proposal. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Life Sciences are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the academic year. This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials and practical classes. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as eBiolabs pre- and post-lab quizzes, practical class reports and project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study.
Wednesday afternoons are set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the examinations held in January and May/June, respectively. Should you be unsuccessful in the examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in August/September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations.
The Life Sciences BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where 10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
Study in Industry placements are usually paid. There will be costs for travel and accommodation, and possibly visa and insurance depending on the location of the placement.
All costs depend on the location of the placement.
Prof Neil Marrion
Programme Director – Pharmacology
School of Physiology and Pharmacology
Medical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TD
N.V.Marrion@bristol.ac.uk
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study, with a formal period of study in industry, in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Pharmacology 1A | PHPH10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Understanding Body Function A | PHPH10010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Plus 60 credit points from: | ||||
Understanding Body Function B | PHPH10011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Disease and Defence | PANM10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | PSYC10008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Introduction to Social Psychology | PSYC10007 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | PSYC10006 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Introduction to Biological Psychology | PSYC10009 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Biochemistry: Cellular Composition | BIOC10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | BIOC10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Anatomical Science 1A | ANAT10008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Anatomical Science 1B | ANAT10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The following options can also be taken subject to timetabling constraints | ||||
Introduction to Neuroscience | PHPH10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Functional Neuroanatomy | PHPH10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biological Chemistry 1A: Molecules of Life | BIOC10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions | BIOC10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Mathematics 1A20 | MATH11004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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