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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Coventry
Full Time
Jan 2027
3 Year
On our Pharmacology BSc (Hons) degree you will further your understanding of how our bodies function in both health and disease from molecules and cells to whole organ systems. Successful completion of this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to contribute to current and emerging challenges in the understanding of drug actions and reactions and the development of new drugs to help fight disease.Not only will your studies focus on the investigation of how drugs are developed and their effects on living systems, but your studies will also take on a multidisciplinary approach incorporating aspects of human physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, underpinned by chemical principles.Upon successful completion, you will have the skills and knowledge to meet the demand for suitably trained professionals within the global pharmaceutical industry to expedite the critical task of translating basic laboratory medical research into technology and drugs that can be used to diagnose and treat patients.It is anticipated that on successful completion of this course you could have employment opportunities in a range of industries including pharmaceutical research and development roles, clinical trials, drug regulation and sales and marketing.3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich
In this module you will have a series of regular small group or individual tutorials with your Academic Personal Tutor (APT). The aim of these sessions is to encourage self-awareness and self-reflection, to enable you to develop strategies to enhance your own development, to maximise your academic success and also your career prospects.
The Add+vantage modules teach a range of work experience and extra-curricular activities that are taken each year, and broaden students? knowledge and skills within a work focused environment. There is a very wide range of Add+vantage free-choice subject areas, and they are arranged in themes.
This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of cell communication operating in both healthy and disease states, and the mechanisms of action of selected drugs that act via cellular receptors (pharmacodynamics). You will also examine the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs (pharmacokinetics).
The role of enzymes as biological catalysts to facilitate chemical reactions within the body will be your focus in this module. You will also examine the role of energy in determining the rate and direction of chemical reactions, and the mechanisms by which enzymes act to lower energy requirements. Enzyme assays and the kinetics of enzyme reactions including reagent and enzyme concentrations, reaction conditions, cofactors and inhibitors are investigated in theory and in practice will also be considered.
Our genetic information, its structure, function and inheritance (genotype), and how this determines the characteristics of an individual (phenotype) is what you will study on this module. You will be introduced to the principles of heredity, the complexity of human genetics, human individual variation, evolutionary principles and population genetics.
In this module you will consider the key features of eukaryotic cells, their organisation into tissues and organs, and the structure and function of major physiological systems in the human body. You will have the opportunity to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, to develop an understanding of human cell and body function and an appreciation of disease states.
In this module, you will demonstrate your developing laboratory and professional skills and competencies and preparedness for future employment. Workshop and tutorial sessions, involving the University?s Talent Team will raise awareness of opportunities available from this course, placements, short work experience and other enhancement activities and encourage you to create an appropriate online networking profile.
You will be introduced the principles and practice of key laboratory techniques used in the analysis of biological molecules. You will be supported to understand and develop a sound appreciation of good laboratory practice, including maintenance of laboratory records, quality assurance, competence in fundamental laboratory procedures and routine calculations such as concentration and dilution. You should also gain an understanding of the use of contemporary digital technologies to analyse and present data effectively, and the format of standard laboratory reports.
This module introduces you to the different types of microorganisms with a detailed focus on bacteria and viruses. You will consider the structure, growth characteristics and laboratory cultivation/propagation and enumeration of bacteria and viruses, and the role of microorganisms in both human health and disease is explored, together with an introduction to the body?s protective response to infection, the immune system.
The Add+vantage modules teach a range of work experience and extra-curricular activities that are taken each year, and broaden students? knowledge and skills within a work focused environment. There is a very wide range of Add+vantage free-choice subject areas, and they are arranged in themes.
In this module you will explore the activities of the cell that are fundamental to understanding disease states. A myriad of chemical reactions and molecular interactions allow cells to grow and divide, alter their activities and functions, organise into tissues, communicate with each other and ultimately die. These normal processes are frequently altered or hijacked in disease. You will also explore how novel therapeutic approaches are emerging based on this molecular understanding.
This module is designed to enable you to develop laboratory, practical and associated data analysis skills that are of key importance in pharmacology, for example to measure drug and metabolite concentrations, detect drug contaminants and to determine pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters.
The immune system in both health and disease and pharmacological agents which modulate immune responses will be your focus in this module. The links between chronic inflammation and multiple disease phenotypes will be discussed. The ability to exploit elements of the immune system for use as stratified immunotherapies will be introduced and explored in the context of hypersensitivity reactions, allergy and cancer.
This module integrates key disciplines of human physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology to explore disease states, their diagnosis within the clinical laboratory, and the rationale, mode of action and pharmacokinetic properties of drug therapies. You will consider four fundamental topic areas (nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems plus infectious disease) and the properties and modes of action of commonly prescribed drugs. Pharmacological considerations such as individual variation are addressed where relevant for these examples.
You will extend your learning from Pharmacology and Pathophysiology 1 to consider normal and pathophysiology, biochemical diagnosis and management, and pharmacological agents for therapy of disease states affecting the gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine systems. You will apply the key pharmacological principles relating to drug mechanisms and pharmacokinetics.
This module takes the form of a group based ?mini-project?. You are recruited to research teams acting as consultants for a pharmaceutical company. The consultancy project will involve literature and technical research, laboratory practical investigation and generation of a report for the company. You apply for roles within the teams and successful appointment to the chosen project team will be determined by interview.
Professional work placement
Study abroad
The Add+vantage modules teach a range of work experience and extra-curricular activities that are taken each year, and broaden students? knowledge and skills within a work focused environment. There is a very wide range of Add+vantage free-choice subject areas, and they are arranged in themes.
During this module you will consider two key areas which present contemporary pharmacological challenges. Cardiovascular conditions, heart disease and stroke are still major disease concerns globally. Events occurring in the brain are complex and, in some cases, still poorly understood. In this module you will consider the current challenges in cardiovascular and neuropharmacology and explore the potential opportunities and barriers to future developments.
Cancer is one of humanity?s greatest health challenges and it is estimated there will be 27.5 million new cases of cancer each year by 2040. Consequently, the development of anti-cancer therapies in order to improve the clinical management of cancers has been a central objective of the pharmaceutical industry and the focus of worldwide research efforts. In this module you will review the multiple oncogenic processes that allow cancer to arise, including consideration of emerging cancer hallmarks of metabolic adaptation, immune system evasion and the importance of the tumour microenvironment.
You will discuss drug development processes, indicating how these have evolved from ancient times to the current day and beyond. Starting with pharmacognosy (medicinal drugs obtained from plants or other natural sources) and pre-industrial drug discovery. Throughout the module you will go on to consider stages of the process including target identification, in vivo and in vitro drug screening, testing of large and small molecule compounds, compound optimisation, clinical trials and marketing. You will then consider recent breakthrough technologies, the impact of genomics in the development of personalised therapies and what future developments may yield.
The aim of this module is to enable you to conduct a piece of investigative research, which may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, in a specialised area of Pharmacology. This module follows from Research Design for Pharmacology and you implement your research proposals in this module. The variety and scope of projects allows you to pursue your own interests, potentially linked to future career aspirations, and to integrate prior skills and knowledge. You are supported and guided by your supervisor, but are encouraged to develop independence of thought, and the ability and confidence to adapt and evolve your research ideas, based on reflective practice.
In this module, you will prepare for your final year research project. You will be supported through the process of defining your research question, planning your investigation and considering the most appropriate data analysis methods. The module will enhance your skills in literature searching, experimental design, scientific writing, data processing and statistical analysis. You will submit a proposal for ethical and health and safety approval, and to address key aspects of project design, management and logistics.
This is an assessment only module which will consolidate your learning from Cancer Biology and Therapeutics and Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Neuropharmacology. The module will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of current pharmacological challenges in these key disease areas.
Drug abuse concerns the use of particular chemicals for pleasure or reward. Users of these chemicals may become dependent and suffer long term consequences for health and well-being. The scale of drug abuse worldwide affects hundreds of millions of individuals, putting pressure on health and social care resources. In addition, addiction to prescription medication is recognised as a growing concern. In this module you will explore the physiological mechanisms leading to drug addiction, the mechanisms of action and consequences of prolonged drug use, and strategies for detoxification and future avoidance. You will also consider the role of the toxicology laboratory in monitoring prescribed drug therapies and management of accidental or deliberate overdose and ensuring the quality and safety of medication.
BBB Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
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