
Pharmaceutical Sciences
2023/24 Full-time Postgraduate course
Award:
Master of Science
Faculty:
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
School:
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Campus:
Coleraine campus
Start date:
September 2023
This programme is designed to provide an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of core areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.
The aim the of MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences programme is to provide an academically challenging and vocationally relevant education and training in pharmaceutical sciences, both theoretical and practical. Students will acquire an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the subject, and achieve learning outcomes that enable them to be able to appreciate and apply acquired knowledge, skills and technological understanding primarily for the benefit of the pharmaceutical and related industrial sectors in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This course is designed to provide an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of core areas of pharmaceutical sciences, including drug discovery, development, formulation and delivery, quality assurance and evaluation of drugs, analysis of medicines and medicinal natural products and pharmaceutical instrumental methods.
The course increases the awareness of ethical issues and scientific integrity in the pharmaceutical sciences. It will provide you with the chance of specialisation in one of the core specialisms of pharmaceutical sciences through elective modules.
As an MSc student you will learn how to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct a research project, analyse research data, and report results of research to peers.
This is an on-campus course, with a 12-week research project at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, UK.
The content will be taught through a combination of lecture material, practicals and online / on-campus discussions/tutorials, all of which will be supported online by our academic course team and eTutors and by on-campus technical staff. Self-directed and independent learning will also be encouraged and supported throughout the module.
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
Written assignment
Example:
Essay question (2000 words) on an analytical technique and its application in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science.
Set exercise
Example:
Set exercise based on HPLC Simulator software for compounds of pharmaceutical relevance.
Given a spectral dataset for a set of substituted quinoline and coumarin compounds the student is tasked with elucidating the molecular structure of an 'unknown' member of the series. Complete spectral interpretation is required for each of the given infrared, EI mass spectra, 1H and 13C NMR spectra (5000 words).
Within this module feedback will take the form of:
100% Coursework 0% Examination
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 (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
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) by Advanced HE - 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 2021-2022.
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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.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides the foundation for undertaking of scientific research. The design of experimental investigation is discussed. The module requires the the development of a research hypothesis through critical evaluation of published literature, completion of problem-based assessments and a research proposal. The latter incorporates issues relating to ethical and professional subjects in pharmaceutical sciences. Consideration is paid to the means for exploiting pharmaceutical sciences research commercially.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module helps students to develop an understanding and expertise in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical products and GLP.
Year: 1
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.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the principles and procedures of the industrial manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, and provides the students with relevant knowledge and skills to apply basic physicochemical principles and preformulation information to the design and production of stable pharmaceutical dosage forms. It also includes modern approaches to drug delivery systems.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides practical laboratory experience in pharmaceutical analytical techniques and experience in research philosophy, planning, generation and evaluation of data, and reporting in pharmaceutical sciences.
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.
In this section
A Honours Degree in subjects such as Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences or in a course that has significant amounts of chemistry and biology from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.
English Language minimum requirement for International Applicants:
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.
NA
In this section
This postgraduate programme is tailor-made to meet the demands of employers in the pharmaceutical industry sectors. It is suitable for those who wish to follow careers in pharmaceutical and related industries and also as academics in various universities to enhance and promote education in the pharmaceutical sciences area. As the proposed programme will have significant amounts of research elements, it is assumed that a number of postgraduate students from this programme may choose further postgraduate research studies such as a PhD.
NA
£6,720.00
£17,730.00
NA
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.