Overview
Preparing professionals for the global pharmaceutical workplace
Summary
The BSc (Hons) Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences degree is designed to equip professionals employed in the industry with the required knowledge and practical skills to excel and progress in the pharmaceutical industry. The degree will cover the fundamental sciences that underpin the synthesis, purification, analysis and efficacy determination of new drug candidates and their formulation into medicines. Students will acquire the knowledge, skills and professional experience to become experts in drug discovery and the design of medicines.
Sign up for course updates
Sign up to register an interest in the course.
About this course
About
Students who have successfully passed the FdSc HLA Applied Industrial Sciences Level 5 programme, can progress onto the Level 6 BSc (Hons) Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences.
This course will be delivered over 2 years, with two semesters of study and 30 credits per semester each year.
In the first year, first semester, students will study Methodologies in Pharmacy Research, Pharmacology and Analytical Methodology. In the second semester, students will study Pharmaceutical Technology, and an optional 10-credit module, either Novel Cancer Treatments or Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanotechnologies.
In the second year, students will complete an industry-based Research Project in Pharmaceutical Science in the first semester. In the second semester students will study Drug Discovery and Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Science and they will complete a further optional 10-credit module, either Quality Processes and Control or Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Attendance
Students will attend on a day-release basis, with lecture material being delivered primarily online, supported by some face-to-face tutorial sessions and practical classes. Online learning and support is provided through the use of Blackboard.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and sessional examinations. Some modules on the BSc HLA programme are assessed by 100% coursework.
Content
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year three
Analytical Methodology
Year: 3
Status: C
This module will introduce advances in modern bioanalytical technologies applied to the analysis of molecules relevant to pharmaceutical biosciences particularly focusing on chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Methodologies in Pharmaceutical Biosciences Research
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides experience in research philosophy, planning, methodology, and reporting by relevant literature surveys, generation, evaluation and integration of original data.
Pharmacology
Year: 3
Status: C
This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of pharmacology; how drugs act, where they act, how they reach the site of action, how drug actions are terminated, and how such knowledge can be applied to achieve drug selectivity. Students will gain an appreciation for the effective and safe use of pharmaceuticals in the treatment of disease.
Pharmaceutical Technology
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides an understanding of the principles and procedures of the industrial manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, it provides in-depth knowledge of drug delivery systems currently used and relevant knowledge and skills to apply basic physicochemical principles and preformulation information to the design and production of stable pharmaceutical dosage forms.
Novel Cancer Treatment
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
The study of this module will develop the students' skills and ability to consider all of the issues relating to the development of a novel drug or formulation from early laboratory testing, through animal studies, human trials and the implementation of a licensed drug as a routine treatment.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanotechnologies
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides an introduction to the understanding of the formulation, characterisation, evaluation and application of novel pharmaceutical delivery systems based on nanotechnology.
Year four
Drug Discovery & Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides a thorough understanding of the scientific principles of how medicines are developed, manufactured, and brought to the market place through the process of discovery, development and approval of drugs.
Research Project in Pharmaceutical Science
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides experience in research philosophy, planning and methodology by relevant literature survey, and generation and evaluation of original data.
Quality Processes and Control
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module provides an understanding of the quality assurance principles and procedures required for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and the bodies responsible for ensuring their implementation with a focus on sustainable industrialisation through various innovations.
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
Antimicrobial use and tackling bacterial resistance is a fast-growing field. By managing our use of antibiotics we can slow down or reduce the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. The introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s represented significant turning point in human history, where fatal infectious diseases became manageable health problems. However, soon after the introduction of these antibiotics, bacterial resistance developed, causing increased mortality and incurring significant healthcare costs. Antimicrobial resistance has been classified by the WHO as a global issue. In this module, we will learn what antibiotics are, how they work, and how bacteria become resistant to their effects, how antibiotics are used from the perspective of healthcare professionals, and strategies to control resistance and antibiotic stewardship
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
A level
School leavers cannot apply for this course.
English Language Requirements
The minimum English Language requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Additional Entry Requirements
Students who have successfully passed the FdSc HLA Applied Industrial Sciences Level 5 programme, can progress onto the Level 6 BSc (Hons) Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Careers & opportunities
Career options
The aim of the BSc (Hons) Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences degree is to provide a course that equips students with the required knowledge and practical skills to work in the pharmaceutical industry. This programme is designed to make students employable within the Pharmaceutical and related industries and to enhance career prospects if already employed within these industries. Students will acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills across the pharmaceutical sciences and this will increase career prospects in areas from drug discovery, drug formulations, manufacturing, marketing, patenting and licencing and analytical testing.
Opportunities also exist outside the pharmaceutical and biotech industry including health and consumer product industries, cosmetics, the food industry, education, marketing and the media.
Graduates should be well prepared for postgraduate study and would be eligible to progress to further studies, e.g. Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Disclaimer
- The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
- Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
- If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
- The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
- The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
Testimonials
"Throughout my time at Ulster I found the teaching staff very helpful and supportive. I found the course interesting and challenging but also rewarding. The course has provided me with the knowledge and experience I need to maximise my career development potential within the pharmaceutical industry/Almac." (Graduate 2020)
Additional information for students from United Kingdom