Pharmacology - BSc (Hons)

University of West London

Ever taken an aspirin for a headache, or been given an anaesthetic for a filling and wondered how drugs are developed? If you want to be involved in the areas of drug research, testing and development, then a pharmacology degree could be for you. You will study how drugs act on the human body and vice versa. It is the science of drugs, as well as their physical and chemical properties. This course will cover the drugs that affect major systems of the body, including the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems. Topics include pharmacological techniques, toxicology and anticancer drugs. Through this pharmacology course, you will gain in-depth knowledge of a wide range of drug classes, safety and efficacy and drug action. It will also give you a sound understanding of the drug development process.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. All students on Accredited programmes will receive free Royal Society of Biology membership.

The first year of the course will equip you with a thorough understanding of the scientific basis of pharmacology, in biochemistry, genetics and immunology. You will learn practical laboratory skills while gaining an overall picture of the human organism and its essential functions, including:
• microbiology\
• the structural features of all cells that make up the living system\
• fundamental genetic mechanisms essential for the evolution of life and function\
• the genetics and molecular biology underpinning human biology and health. The modules in the second year build on the action of drugs on their target sites and the action of the body on drugs once administered. You will become familiar with the principles of laboratory and practical methods. It consists of several modules, including Essential Skills for Biological Sciences and Biochemical Skills. These include practical methods which build on the techniques required, as well as good laboratory practice for diagnosing diseases alongside health and safety requirements. At this level, you will gain further insight into scientific methods, writing laboratory reports, essays and assignments, data interpretation exercises and critical analysis of cases. You will also develop the ability to communicate with your peers through oral presentations. In the final year, you will independently pursue a research project, allowing you to explore a topic of interest. For example, this may be studying drugs used to prevent cancer and infectious diseases, such as analgesics and antidepressants, which act on the peripheral nerves and the brain, respectively. This will give you an insight into your proposed pathway for your career, be it medical research or working in a pharmaceutical company.