STAGE 1
There are three terms for every stage and students will take up to four modules per term. These include:
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE MODULES
Pharmaceutical Science 1 and 2
These modules provide an understanding of Physical and Organic Chemistry necessary to underpin the study of drugs and drug action.
Pharmaceutical Microbiology
This module focuses on the principles of pharmaceutical microbiology and outlines the properties of microbes that are relevant to pharmaceutical science. Topics include organism taxonomy, bacterial cell structure and function, microbial growth and metabolism, action of antibiotics, pure culture techniques, pharmaceutical fermentation and the spoilage of pharmaceutical products. Virus structure, function and cultivation, together with examples of bacterial, human and animal viruses, and their pathogenicity and growth cycles will also be covered.
Communication Skills
The module aims to help students develop their written and oral communication skills, including the use of information technology. Students will assess the use of a Personal Development file for their learning. Teamwork skills are also developed through small task-based group work. These skills are all vital in the competitive market for employment.
Human Cells and Systems
This module presents the fundamental structure and function of mammalian cells, together with aspects of the organisation, growth, regeneration and degeneration of human tissues and organs. The module will also stimulate an understanding of the relationship between DNA structure and function, inheritance and human disease.
Human Physiology 1 and 2
In these modules, students will examine a selection of organs - with the emphasis on control mechanisms. They will then concentrate on the central nervous system, thereby allowing time to consider this complex system in depth. In addition, students will be introduced to pharmacology, and the use of drugs to treat diseases.
Assessing the Quality of Medicines
This module provides an introduction to the analysis of drug and other pharmaceutical substances, primarily by spectroscopic, electrophoretic and chromatographic methods.
Business Economics
An introduction to key economic concepts, principles and policy instruments in the context of recent events. The emphasis will be on topics which are of particular importance to decision makers in business. For example: consumer and product behaviour in markets, perfect competition and monopoly, oligopoly and strategy, economic issues related to labour markets and to the boundaries of the firm, and the government regulation of competition and business.
Foundations of Accounting
This module provides an insight into the nature, significance and limitations of accounting. Students will develop an understanding of the role of accounting in organisations, and of the preparation and interpretation of financial statements in order to appreciate the significance and limitations of accounting.
Foundations of Marketing
This module is an introduction to the concepts and principles of marketing and their application. You will also acquire an ability to evaluate a company’s marketing effectiveness and the skills necessary for effective project management, research, analysis and evaluation.
Foundations of Production / Operations Management (POM)
This module introduces you to the role of production / operations management within an organisation, and the concept of a product or service in the context of delivery system design. The principal issues of concern for operations management are explored (e.g. capacity management, process organisation, technology, operations planning, quality assurance and safety).
STAGE 2
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE MODULES
Healthcare Management
The module covers management theories, management practices, management tools and their application to the complex environment of healthcare services. It also offers an opportunity to learn about current and developing practices in healthcare management.
Essential Biochemistry
This module includes topics such as the principles of biochemistry and the study of how drugs interact with the body’s metabolic pathways. Students are also introduced to the principles of nucleic acid and protein synthesis.
Statistics and Experimental Design
Upon successfully completing this module, students will be able to demonstrate considerable written communication and analytical skills, and will have been equipped with higher levels of numerical and computational competence. To this end, the module introduces students to the basic principles of descriptive data and comparative analyses (parametric and non-parametric). The need to exercise robust planning processes in the design and execution of original experimental studies is discussed and the application of appropriate statistical tests for a range of biological data exemplified. Students will thereby learn how to evaluate and critically appraise published data, construct a plan/rationale to support a proposal for an original area of research and write thorough and convincing scientific reports.
Immunology
This introduction to the immune system will enable students to study the tissues and cells involved and their responses to infection - including the production of antibodies. They will also gain practical experience of immunological techniques, such as ELISA.
Career and Personal Development
Covering topics such as interview techniques and CV preparation skills, this module will enable the development of skills relevant to the world of work and thereby enhance the awareness of professional issues and employability. The module aims to develop the expertise in employment application including the understanding of psychometric testing.
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology of Systems 1 and 2
Observations on normal and abnormal physiology will lead to studies aimed at the understanding of the mechanisms of drug action on the cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems.
Production of Solid Dosage Forms
The module aims to provide students with a background to the role of material sciences in the formulation, processing and testing of dosage forms by introducing the principles of pharmaceutical pre-formulation and formulation and product evaluation of solid dosage forms.
Resource Planning
Themes introduced in the Foundations of POM module, such as quality and capacity management, will be extended and the application of operations management in both manufacturing and service environments will be explored.
Marketing Research: Strategic Implications
The module deals with the following: Research problems, objectives and information needs; Writing a research proposal; Research methods; Implementing qualitative and quantitative research; Data preparation and analysis; Statistics for decision making; Presenting results for marketing decisions; Evaluating research.
Marketing Management and Strategy
This module builds on the Foundations of Marketing module. Students will be trained in the full range of marketing management and strategy frameworks and the role of integrated marketing communications. Using case studies, students will begin to apply marketing management and strategic concepts to practical business situations.
Management of Service Operations
This module provides an introduction to the modelling of business problems through operational research methods. The module includes: service package / product characteristics, service strategy, service distribution and location, service process design (including blueprinting and benchmarking), service layout, productivity measurement in services, customer satisfaction and the service quality link.
STAGE 3
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE MODULES
Drug Regulations and Quality Assurance
This module provides an introduction to the modelling of business problems through operational research methods. The module includes: service package / product characteristics, service strategy, service distribution and location, service process design (including blueprinting and benchmarking), service layout, productivity measurement in services, customer satisfaction and the service quality link.
Electronic Commerce
This module aims to develop an understanding of the management implications needed for making informed operational and strategic decisions about electronic commerce and its business exploitation.
Common Diseases & Their Treatment
This module aims to enhance the knowledge of acute and chronic diseases, their aetiology, natural history, clinical features and management. The module also aims to stimulate students into thinking about the rational selection of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
Understanding Strategic Management
This module aims to develop the relevant knowledge, understanding and analytical abilities required of students to enable them to undertake an in-depth strategic analysis of a company or organization of their choice. These skill sets include the assessment of a company’s internal resources and future options, the use of appropriate performance measures (overall strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats), an evaluation of future options for the company and strategy implementation.
Clinical Data Management
This module examines how data on the efficacy of drugs is collated and evaluated. Students will be introduced to the functions and stages of Clinical Data Management. Preparation for a clinical trial will be discussed, including consultations on trial protocol (study design, treatment and number of patients / centres), generation of random codes, data collecting tools. Preparations for data processing will be studied in terms of the setting up of databases, data handling documentation and data entry methods. Data processing functions will be explored (coding, data entry and data validation). Statistical analysis and reporting will also be discussed, including production of a clinical trial analysis plan, de?nition of analyses populations, production of clinical trial reports and safety summaries. Cataloguing, secure storage and archiving are also included in the curriculum.
Product Innovation for the Pharmaceutical Industry
This module provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the process of product innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Project Management for Pharmaceutical Development
In this module, students will develop an understanding of project management within the pharmaceutical industry, from drug discovery to market launch. They will be able to assess the roles of functional and project management in the pharmaceutical industry and analyze the ?nancial implications of drug development and the need to minimize the huge costs involved (through efficient project management) and, through case study, plan and schedule laboratory, material and human resources.
POM for World Class Operations
This module explores the issues, concepts and techniques for resource planning and scheduling, and for materials and inventory management for operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Additionally, a knowledge and understanding of the “World Class Operations” concept, its essential characteristics and components, and its practical implementation is developed.
Dissertation
Students are required to produce a dissertation based on a course-related investigation, and to present the results in an authoritative manner. The dissertation will be an ordered, critical display of knowledge in an area of scienti?c relevance demonstrating evidence of reasoned argument (5,000 - 6,000 words). Students will be guided by their supervisor and referred to appropriate agencies, texts, research papers and other documents in the chosen area
