Pharmacology (with Foundation Year)* BSc (Hons)

What is big data? How is it made and how do we make sense of it? Discover how data is created, consider the ethical implications of using it and begin your journey accessing it. You explore its use in society and the role it plays in community relationships, from uncovering criminal networks and tracking disease outbreaks to developing a deeper understanding of our ecology. You understand how search engines collate and store the data needed to make predictions, enhance decision making, or to better understand society’s needs. You learn the impact big data has and the challenges it presents.

This is a 20-credit module.

Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties and reactivity of elements and compounds and plays a key role in physical, life and applied sciences. You are introduced to the fundamental concepts of the application of chemistry. You examine the structure of the atom, the periodic table, chemical bonding and chemical reactivity. Learn about environmental science, biogeochemistry, pollution, green chemistry and climate change.

This is a 20-credit module.

Explore your academic interests in a practical setting, learning how to work safely and properly document your work. If you’re interested in biology, you investigate the basics of microscopy and the handling of microorganisms. If your preference is food sciences, you begin to look at the safe handling of food. And if you’re interested in chemistry, you begin to use volumetric glassware and investigate acid-base titrations.

This is a 20-credit module.

Team up with your coursemates to find out how science can help address some of the biggest issues facing society today. You explore health and wellbeing, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economy, sustainable environments, and learning for the 21st century.

This is a 20-credit module.

You explore the diversity of life on earth and the concept of evolution. You discuss Darwin’s theory to demonstrate relationships between species, the principles of taxonomy and speciation, and how they relate to the evolutionary tree.

Physiological processes, cellular organisation, homeostasis, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli and adaptation - these are the hallmarks of living organisms and equip diverse species to survive and thrive. You complete an in-depth analysis of a number of organisms to examine and compare the strategies they use to thrive and appreciate how evolution has led to divergent life forms. You normally take part in a field visit to a local site to examine biodiversity and the natural world.

This is a 20-credit module.

You focus on life sciences from a human perspective, while developing an understanding of human biology to explore the role of different but interconnected life science disciplines in modern life. You consider the major human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, nervous, digestive, skeletal and reproductive) to appreciate how this knowledge is relevant to issues in health, disease and modern society.

This is a 20-credit module.

Gain basic knowledge of human anatomy and an understanding of the mechanisms associated with control and regulation of the physiological processes of the major organ system. Homeostasis is the key theme throughout the module, as you explore interrelationships between human functions and the organisational hierarchy to develop and increase your understanding of how the body functions. You also study the construction of biological profiles for human identification including sex, age at death, stature determination and biological affinity. This knowledge is used in the context of identification and recovery of human remains, the regulatory aspect of handing human remains and ethical issues related to human tissue research.

This is a 20-credit module.

Study the key principles of biochemistry, including the structure of the atom, chemical bonding and the forces that operate between molecules, chemical reactions and biological pathways. Investigate the chemistry of carbon and why this element is capable of forming the complex three-dimensional molecules that make life possible. Crucial groups of biological molecules are studied in detail, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

This is a 20-credit module.

At a cellular level, you develop your understanding of biological processes. You explore the common features and immense diversity of form and function displayed by cells of organisms. You examine eukaryotic cell architecture and function with a molecular and mammalian focus and learn about cell division, the cell cycle, genetic organisation of cells, DNA replication and gene expression.

This is a 20-credit module.

Develop a foundational understanding of essential chemical principles, emphasising their relevance to pharmacology and pharmaceutical science. You are introduced to key concepts such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, structure determination methods, reaction mechanisms, properties of functional groups and the basic principles of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. Gain critical skills in data analysis, visualisation and interpretation. Link chemical principles to real-world scenarios, preparing you for advanced study and equipping you with the skills to excel in scientific and professional environments. Appreciate the role of chemistry in addressing contemporary challenges in health and science, promoting interdisciplinary awareness and ethical scientific practices.

You are introduced to the fascinating world of pharmacology – defining the term 'drug' and delving into the evolution and scope. Gain insight into the important process of drug discovery and understand how drugs act, focusing on general principles, and examining various drug-receptor interactions. Explore molecular aspects of drug action, looking at key molecules responsible for recognising chemical signals and orchestrating cellular responses. Learn about the relationship between the molecular structure of receptors and their functional linkage to specific effector systems. The cellular implications of drug action is highlighted, showing the fundamental connection between a drug's interaction with its molecular target and its effects at the pathophysiological level. Establish a solid foundation for an advanced comprehension of the dynamics and implications of drug action in humans.

You gain an overview of normal histology and cytology of major organs and systems of the human body and molecular and cellular factors underpinning the pathology of common diseases. You examine the causes, mechanisms and extent of disease, as well as adaptations to injury, such as apoptosis and necrosis (death of living cells or tissues), autophagy, inflammation, wound healing and neoplasia (abnormal new growth of cells).

This is a 20-credit module.

You gain an introduction to ethical issues central to biosciences. You understand the use of animals to advance knowledge of physiological processes for animal and human health and disease, and the development of new therapies. The 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are introduced as a framework for the ethical use of animals in research. You explore ethical issues of human participation in research, including the use of stem cell-based technologies. Good practice in experimental design, sampling, and statistical analysis are discussed to mitigate ethical issues. You discuss and debate ethical issues sensitively, supported by evidence.

This is a 20-credit module.

Clinical pharmacology encompasses all aspects of the relationship between drugs and humans. It is a diverse discipline that both sustains and advances best healthcare. You explore the nature of drugs as chemicals, which interact with cellular mechanisms at the molecular, systemic and behavioural level. Focus is on the treatment and prevention of disease and you consider the nature of adverse effects of drugs and other chemicals within living systems.

This is a 20-credit module.

Explore epidemiology and public health in depth, introducing critical concepts and methods. Cover the core principles of disease frequency, association measures and varied study designs. Examine the dynamics of infectious and non-communicable diseases, and the influence of environmental and social determinants on health. Emphasis is on the application of biostatistics and ethical considerations in epidemiological research.

Gain an understanding of the human metabolism, endocrinology and clinical biochemistry. Examine metabolism, the chemical processes that occurs in living organisms, in the context of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cellular respiration and metabolism of drugs. Discuss endocrinology and review the mechanisms underpinning hormone action, the roles of second messengers and endocrine system disorders. Enzyme kinetics and enzyme regulation is a significant topic. Explore the methods used for collecting, measuring and analysing clinical samples in the biomedical lab. Learn the principles and applications of clinical biochemistry investigations used in screening, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disease.

This is a 20-credit module.

You gain a solid foundation in immunology and explore the immune system’s role in protecting against microorganisms and maintaining human health. Examine the functional organisation of the immune system, the immune cells and chemical mediators, antibodies, and cellular processes related to the innate and adaptive immune responses.

This is a 20-credit module.

You are introduced to a range of modern molecular biology concepts and techniques. You address general molecular biology, molecular biology of genetic diseases, and using molecular biology for applications such as the production of recombinant proteins, and biomedical science forensics. The new age of molecular biology is underpinned by gene/genome sequencing, sequence analysis and sequence manipulation. You explore the principles of sequence analysis and how these techniques have revolutionised molecular biology. Particular attention is on the technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). You learn the bioinformatics concepts around visualising and analysing DNA sequence data, and basic molecular data analysis. You gain insight into the theoretical aspects of molecular biology and bioinformatics, and learn the basic techniques of modern molecular biology such as DNA purification, PCR, restriction digestion, and nucleic acid analysis through agarose gels and sequencing.

This is a 20-credit module.

What are the real-world challenges associated with the launch of a healthcare product? Study the process from initial research and development through to developing a product for market. Understand nutrition, medical, biotechnology and healthcare sector ventures. Develop your entrepreneurship skills and learn how to carry out and implement effective market research, and develop a business plan.

This is a 20-credit module.

You are introduced to genetic disorders, including chromosomal abnormalities, single gene disorders and birth defects with a genetic component, and learn to apply genetics knowledge to disorders seen in patients. Examine current and new techniques such as Next Generation Sequencing and understand advances in the NHS analysis of genetic disorders. Explore the ethics involved in whole genome sequencing and screening for genetic disorders.

This is a 20-credit module.

Advanced chemistry knowledge is combined in the context of biology applications. You develop a strong understanding of the concepts of drug molecules and drug targets, and the process and strategies of drug development. You appreciate the journey to bring a molecule from the lab bench to the pharmaceutical market, exploring clinical trials and approval processes with a focus on certain classes of drugs, including antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.

This is a 20-credit module.

You are introduced to the practical aspects of pharmacology, focussing on the real-world application of pharmacological principles in various healthcare and research settings. Gain an understanding of how pharmacology is integrated into clinical decision-making and therapeutic interventions. Explore the connection between theoretical pharmacology and its practical implications, covering topics such as clinical trials, drug safety, pharmacokinetics and regulatory frameworks. Develop essential professional skills, including interpreting pharmacological data, evaluating drug efficacy and understanding regulatory processes involved in bringing new drugs to market. Take an interactive, hands-on approach to understanding therapeutic decision-making and drug management in real-world clinical scenarios, preparing you for a career in pharmacology or healthcare.

This is a 40-credit module.

You complete an in-depth, independent investigation into a specialist aspect of your field of study. You bring together a range of practical and academic skills developed in previous study, including analysing and critically evaluating data and a critical reflection on the potential risks, and moral and ethical issues. You are supported by a research supervisor who helps you develop and complete your research project.

This is a 40-credit module.