Overview
A top-up degree that will prepare you for a career in the global biopharmaceutical industry or research and development.
Summary
In the Guardian University Guides 2015-2020, we have been ranked number one in the league tables for pharmacy and pharmacology, with high student satisfaction ratings.
You will be taught by leading academics who are passionate about their subject area, and who are always on hand to inspire and encourage you through every stage of your learning journey. We strive to keep our class numbers low so as we can deliver a tailored, student-centred education that will allow our graduates to enter into their profession of choice as the future leaders and policymakers.
Based in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, our Pharmaceutical Sciences course will offer you the opportunity to study and learn in contemporary and state-of-the-art facilities. Specialised teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, computer suite and a lecture theatre have all been finished to a high specification. This environment will enable you to develop the knowledge and advanced practical skills necessary for a successful career in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
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About this course
About
1 year: Ulster University, Coleraine campus
Modules
Semester 1 (September – January)
• Instrumental Techniques for Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Research Project in Pharmaceutical Science
Semester 2 (February – June)
• Drug Discovery & Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanotechnologies
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Complementary Medicines
Attendance
1 Year Full-Time at Ulster University's Coleraine campus
Semester 1: September - January
Semester 2: February - June
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Based in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, our Pharmaceutical Sciences course will offer you the opportunity to study and learn in contemporary and state-of-the art facilities. Specialised teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, computer suite and a lecture theatre, all finished to high specifications, will create an environment enabling you to develop the knowledge and advanced practical skills necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.
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 one
Professional Skills for Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Year: 1
Status: C
To provide an overview of professional practice in pharmaceutical biosciences; pharmaceutical calculations and numeracy; basic statistical methods and core mathematical techniques used in experimental reports and research, and to develop essential communication and learning skills.
Pharmaceutical Biosciences 1
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to pharmaceutical biosciences. It covers the general descriptive physical, organic and inorganic chemistry and the principles underlying chemical properties and reactions of simple organic and inorganic compounds and provides and introduction to the study of human physiology and anatomy to underpin study in health and disease.
Pharmaceutical Biosciences 2
Year: 1
Status: C
The module is designed to provide an introduction to biological systems and the cells and macromolecules involved in these systems, the chemical processes underlying life and the role of pharmaceutical chemical sciences for the study and understanding of structures, properties and behaviour of drug molecules which will interact with these systems
Year two
Microbiology
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides insight into the major historical events, discoveries, disciplines, activities and relevance of microorganisms to the different areas of human activity. A major goal is to provide a foundation for understanding and learning microbiology as a biological science and its relation to our public health and the environment.
Pharmaceutical Sterile Products
Year: 2
Status: C
This module develops a knowledge and understanding of the principles of sterilisation, and production of pharmaceutical sterile products.
Pharmacology 1
Year: 2
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. This module will also provide an introduction to systems pharmacology and to consider how pharmacological agents act on the respiratory system.
Pharmacology 2
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is designed to provide an introduction to systems pharmacology and to consider how pharmacological agents act on the body systems.
Physical Pharmacy
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to physicochemical principles essential for the study and understanding of various aspects of pharmaceutical formulations and drug delivery systems, and for the solution of practical professional problems.
Novel approaches in the treatment of cancer
Year: 2
Status: C
To provide the students the opportunity to consider all of the issues relating to the development of a novel drug from early laboratory testing, through animal studies, human trials and the implementation of a licensed drug as a routine treatment.
Methodologies in Pharmaceutical Biosciences Research
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides experience in research philosophy, planning, methodology, and reporting by relevant literature surveys, generation, evaluation and integration of original data.
Year three
Drug Discovery & Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Year: 3
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.
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.
Instrumental Techniques for Pharmaceutical Analysis
Year: 3
Status: C
This module helps students to develop an understanding and expertise in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical products, and GLP.
Research Project in Pharmaceutical Science
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides experience in research philosophy, planning and methodology by relevant literature survey, and generation and evaluation of original data.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanotechnologies
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the understanding of the formulation, characterisation, evaluation and application of novel pharmaceutical delivery systems based on nanotechnology.
Complementary Medicines in Pharmaceutical Science
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides students with the principles and background of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its evaluation according to the principles of evidence-based practice.
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
The programme is offered at Level 6 ONLY. Students entering the programme at Level 6 will have to provide evidence of meeting the Learning Outcomes for the modules in Levels 4 and 5 through Accredited Prior Learning (APL) and can enrol for a Level 6 'top-up' award.
For more details of the entry requirements for this course, please contact the Course Director:
Dr Heather Coleman
T: +44 28 7012 3409
E: h.coleman@ulster.ac.uk
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Additional Entry Requirements
The programme is offered at Level 6 ONLY. Students entering the programme at Level 6 will have to provide evidence of meeting the Learning Outcomes for the modules in Levels 4 and 5 through Accredited Prior Learning (APL) and can enrol for a Level 6 'top-up' award.
For more details of the entry requirements for this course, please contact the Course Director:
Dr Heather Coleman
T: +44 28 7012 3409
E: h.coleman@ulster.ac.uk
Careers & opportunities
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- Almac
- Academia
- Randox
- Norbrook Laboratories
- Nicobrand
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
- Analyst
- PhD Student
- Qulaity Assurance and Quality Control Scientist
- Research Scientist
Career options
You to develop the knowledge and advanced practical skills necessary for a successful
career in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Research or further study as a PhD student.
Work placement / study abroad
Students will attend several short-term industrial placements in the Pharmaceutical industry during the year at Ulster University.
Apply
Applications are made through the University’s online application system.
For Application Type, please select 'Undergrad'
Start dates
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.
