Master of Research (MRes)
Drug Sciences
Programme Handbook
2015/16
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this Handbook is correct at
the time of going to press (September 2015). UCL reserves the right to make
amendments to the information contained in this Handbook as a result of unforeseen
events or circumstances beyond UCL's control or if deemed reasonably necessary by
UCL.
This handbook is deemed to be the definitive version of information for all students on
this taught programme of study.
In the event that amendments are made, UCL shall take reasonable steps to notify
students as soon as possible.
11/09/2015.Version 1
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2
Table of Contents
Welcome from the Programme Team
5
1.
General Information
1.1
Programme Handbook .......................................................................... 7
1.2
Programme Staff ................................................................................... 7
1.3
Programme Administration .................................................................... 8
2.
Programme Information
2.1
Programme Details ................................................................................ 9
2.2
The MRes Programme .......................................................................... 9
2.3
Master’s Level Descriptors ...................................................................10
2.4
Programme Structure ...........................................................................10
2.5
Learning and Teaching Methods ..........................................................12
3.
Modules
3.1
Module Choice .....................................................................................13
3.2
Module Outlines ...................................................................................14
4.
Research Project
4.1
PHAYGX99 Dissertation - MRes ..........................................................23
5.
Assessment and Regulations
5.1
Programme Regulations .......................................................................25
5.2
Scheme of Award .................................................................................26
Appendix 1: Academic Calendar
27
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4
Welcome from the Programme Team
Welcome to the UCL School of Pharmacy and congratulations on gaining a place to study
here on the Master of Research (MRes) Drug Sciences.
The MRes is intended for those wishing to pursue research. The programme will prepare you
for PhD-level study or to start a career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The
programme includes taught and research components and your research will begin straight
away when you join your chose laboratory and lasts for the whole academic year. The taught
component is tailored to you research programme and includes training in core skills.
Completing an MRes in 12 months is a challenge, particularly for international students who
are studying in a foreign language. Moving to a new country, leaving behind family and friends
can be overwhelming. Good time management and practising and improving your English will
help you cope with the demands of the programme. You must also read this handbook
carefully and keep it for reference throughout the year. Your tutors at the School are here to
mentor and to support you, so if you have any problems or queries do come and talk to one of
us.
We wish you good luck with your studies and look forward to getting to know you over the
coming year.
Professor Mala Shah
MRes Deputy Programme Director
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6
1. General Information
1.1
PROGRAMME HANDBOOK
This Programme Handbook provides an introduction to the programme and contains the key
information you need about the programme of study. Amongst other things, this handbook
covers the curriculum, teaching and learning, administrative procedures, key personnel and
assessment.
This handbook should be read in conjunction with the School Student Handbook which
provides information about School staff, academic regulations and policies and administrative
procedures.
The Handbook is relevant to you throughout your studies. There will inevitably be some
changes during your time with us, possibly in relation to the teaching staff, programme content
and assessment patterns and we shall keep you informed of any important changes. However,
you should make sure that you keep up to date by reading our communications, checking the
notice boards, reading your emails and browsing Moodle and the School and UCL Websites.
More detailed information on UCL procedures and policies in relation to students can be found
on the UCL website at the following link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students. You can also
find important on the School website here: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/current-students.
Students are expected to be fully aware of procedures but, if in any doubt, please enquire at
the Student and Academic Support Office (known as the School Office – SASO).
We hope you find this handbook useful. It is revised every year to include new information and
to make it easier to use. If you have any comments about the handbook or suggestions for
improving the information provided, please forward your comments to the Student and
Academic Support Office (SASO) (email sop.saso@ucl.ac.uk).
1.2
PROGRAMME STAFF
Programme Team
Most academic members of staff in the School contribute to the MRes either through the
taught module programme or through their research activity.
Deputy Programme Director
Professor Mala Shah
Room:
534
Tel:
020 7753 5897
Email:
mala.shah@ucl.ac.uk
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1.3
PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION
The Student and Academic Support Office (SASO) is the main administrative hub for your
programme of study and is located in Room G11, Brunswick Square. You may also need to
visit the UCL Student Centre on some occasions and further information can be found here:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/student-centre
Other administrative points of contact are listed in the table below:
Name
Ms Elizabeth Mead
Ms Bisi Akinola
Role
Admissions & Student Services Manager
Programmes Administrator
Email
elizabeth.mead@ucl.ac.uk
b.akinola@ucl.ac.uk
Opening Hours and Contact Information
Hours:
09.00 to 17.00 (Monday-Friday)
Location:
Room G11, Brunswick Square
Tel/Fax:
+44 (0) 20 7753 5831
E-mail:
sop.saso@ucl.ac.uk
Postgraduate Programmes Manager
Rosemary Smyth provides general support on academic and welfare matters for students on
the full-time postgraduate programmes at the School (MSc and MRes).
Dr Rosemary Smyth
Room:
432
Tel:
020 7753 5950
Email:
r.smyth@ucl.ac.uk
END OF SECTION 1
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2. Programme Information
2.1
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Award:
Master of Research (MRes) in Drug Sciences
Awarded by:
University College London
Department:
Various depending on nature of Research Project
Length and Mode:
1 year full-time
Credits:
180 credits at Level 7
ECTS:
72 ECTS
Programme Director:
Deputy Programme Director:
Professor Mala Shah
Teaching site
UCL School of Pharmacy
29/39 Brunswick Square
London WC1N 1AX
UK
Tel:
020 7753 5800
2.2
THE MRes PROGRAMME
The MRes is a 12 month full-time postgraduate degree programme that is conducted primarily
as an in-depth and novel research project at the forefront of research in the area of medical
and pharmaceutical sciences. Students will be expected to compliment this research with the
study of Masters-level taught modules in subject areas related to the research. Students will
also attend training courses that develop the research skills of the student.
The MRes is intended for those who wish to prepare for PhD-level research or to pursue a
career in medical or pharmaceutical research, the pharmaceutical industry or government
regulatory body.
Students will expect to become proficient research scientists with a range of technical and
academic skills that ensure this outcome and will have greater in depth knowledge of the field
of research that they have studied.
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2.3
MASTER’S LEVEL DESCRIPTORS
Master’s level awards are set at Level 7 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) published by the Quality Assurance Agency
for Higher Education (QAA). Descriptors for the Level 7 qualification are in two parts – (1) what
each student must demonstrate in order to gain the award, and (2) the wider abilities that the
typical student is expected to develop.
The MSc degree is awarded to students who have demonstrated:
1. Systematic understanding of knowledge and skills required in the application of
pharmaceutical care.
2. Critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in pharmacy practice.
3. Comprehensive understanding of techniques applied to advanced scholarship in
pharmaceutics, which include problem solving skills, evaluation, research methods and
data analysis.
4. Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of
how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret
knowledge in pharmaceutics.
5. Conceptual understanding that enables the student to:
 Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline,
and
 Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate,
to propose new hypotheses.
Typically, holders of the MSc degree will be able to:
1. Deal with complex issues both systemically and creatively, make sound judgments in
the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist
and non-specialist audiences;
2. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act
autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
3. Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding through continuing
professional development, and
4. Develop new skills to an advanced level in pharmaceutics.
and will have:
5. The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
 The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations, and
 The independent learning ability required for continuing professional
development.
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2.4
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The MRes programme is worth 180 credits and comprises a taught component (30 credits)
and a larger research component (150 credits).
Research and Training
MRes students will join a research group immediately upon registration under the supervision
of an Academic Principal Investigator (PI) in the UCL School of Pharmacy. In addition to the PI
the student will be allocated a secondary supervisory for additional support. The student will
carry out a programme of full-time research equivalent to approximately 10 months duration.
This research will be written up as a dissertation at the end of the period of study. The student
will be assessed by an oral presentation of the work to staff and peers, by the written content
of the dissertation and by a viva voce examination.
The MRes student will attend appropriate courses from the PhD training programme that
covers research skills, presentation and scientific writing skills. MRes Students will attend and
complete the PhD research study skills programme that runs in the autumn term.
Modules
The MRes student will also study elective modules from the MPharm or MSc programmes
within the UCL School of Pharmacy that is equivalent to 30 credits. This will either be one 30
credit module or two 15 credit modules
This study can be at any time during the 12 month MRes depending on the timetabling of the
modules. The PI will recommend to the student modules that are relevant to the topic of
research being carried out. The student will be examined in these modules at the same time
and in the same manner as the MPharm and MSc students.
The specialist modules that have been approved for the MRes are listed in Section 3. Please
note that module availability will vary from year to year.
2.5
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Teaching methods are varied and include lectures, seminars, small group work, coursework,
oral and poster presentations and individual project work. Class size varies from 8-30 students
depending on the teaching format.
Lectures and seminars are, in some cases, shared with fourth year students on the Master of
Pharmacy (MPharm) degree, although there is a separate tutorial programme for MRes
students which are held weekly throughout the two terms.
END OF SECTION 2
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3. Modules
3.1
MODULE CHOICE
This handbook contains brief outlines of the modules which are available for the MRes
programme. If you wish to know more about the modules you can find this in the appropriate
Programme Handbook to which they belong. The Programme Handbooks can be found on the
web here at the following link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/current-students/studentinformation
The list of modules may change from year to year to reflect changes in the research areas of
the staff at the School. You will receive more detailed Module Outlines at the start of the
module and the content may be slightly different to the information published here. This is
because staff are constantly updating their teaching in light of latest research developments
and new thinking in the pharmaceutical sciences. Every effort is made to inform students of
any changes before the programme starts.
Students are required to select their modules by the end of October and must make their
choices vie the student database system called PORTICO which can be found at the following
link: https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_lgn. You will receive guidance from your
supervisor with regards modules choice.
Students are required to take:


One 30 credit module or
Two 15 credit modules
Students must also take the compulsory dissertation module
PHAYGX99
Dissertation – MRes (150 credits)
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3.2
MODULE OUTLINES
The module descriptions are listed in Module Code order.
15 Credit Modules
Code
PHAYG007
PHAYG009
PHAYG010
PHAYG012
PHAYG013
PHAYG023
PHAYG025
PHAYG028
PHAYG031
Module Title
Medicines for Children
Women’s Health
CNS Pharmacology and Disorders
CNS Drugs of Abuse
Epileptic Disorders: research insights and drug therapy
New Drug Targets in the CNS
Anticancer Personalised Medicines
Pharmacogenomics, Adverse Drug Reactions & Biomarkers
Advanced Structure-Based Drug Design
Term
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
Credits
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
Term
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
Credits
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30 Credit Modules
Code
PHAYG016
PHAYG017
PHAYG018
PHAYG019
PHAYG020
PHAYG021
PHAYG022
PHAYG026
PHAYG057
Module Title
Molecular Basis of Disease
Curing Cancer: New Targets, New Drugs & New Problems
Biopharmaceuticals
Medicinal Natural Products
Nanomedicine and Targeted Drug Delivery
Overcoming Biological Barriers
Intelligent Design of Medicines
Natural Product Discovery
Modern Aspects of Drug Discovery
PHAYG007 MEDICINES FOR CHILDREN (15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Catherine Tuleu
Using medicines in children is a challenge! The issues surrounding clinical trials in children
and drug licensing lead to a lack of paediatric formulation development, which has been up
counterbalanced by extemporaneous dispensing based on few, if any, bioavailability and
stability data. A strong European and International concern is to build up increased
accessibility to information on paediatric formulations and updates from worldwide regulatory
authorities are now in place to stimulate the development of paediatric dosage forms.
Research on drug delivery systems for neonates, infants and children, linked to the routes of
administration and compliance considerations, as well as to the difference in drug disposition
and the choice of adequate excipients, is starting to grow actively to fill the critical void in
paediatric drug therapy.
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PHAYG009 WOMEN’S HEALTH (15 credits)
Module Leader: Prof Kirsten Harvey
Pharmacists are involved in providing advice, selling supplements and issuing medication
for a variety of specific events occurring during a woman’s life. Giving informed advice to
women on diverse health issues such as contraception, conception, pregnancy,
menopause, sexually transmitted diseases, gynaecological cancers and sex-based biology
requires a broad knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. The aim of
this module is to form an evidence-based opinion on currently available medication,
supplements and screening programs offered to women in the United Kingdom. Besides
exploring the pharmacology of important drugs, ethical issues will also be considered.
PHAYG010 CNS PHARMACOLOGY AND DISORDERS (15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Afia Ali
This module will first emphasise the relationship between the structure and function of the
brain and various associated neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression and panic.
Focus on the modern and alternative therapeutic aspects of these disorders will be dealt with.
Discussions on the concept of mind-body problems will be raised.
The second part of the module will focus on other common conditions such as seen in brain
and spinal cord tumours in children and adults, or sleep anomalies. The aim is to provide a
basic knowledge of the aetiology of these conditions and to look at the different therapeutic
strategies, including the monitoring of brain activity, drug therapy, functional imaging, and
neurosurgery.
PHAYG012 CNS DRUGS OF ABUSE (15 credits)
Module Leader: Prof Rob Harvey
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to study in more detail
the main pharmacological/toxic and dependent side effects associated with taking drugs of
abuse. The following drugs are likely to be reviewed in the module: opiates, marijuana,
cocaine, PCP, designer drugs (ecstasy), nicotine (inhaled tobacco), anabolic steroids,
GHB (liquid ecstasy), LSD, volatile substances (inhalants).
PHAYG013
EPILEPTIC DISORDERS: RESEARCH INSIGHTS AND DRUG THERAPY
(15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Jasmina Jovanovic
This module is designed to introduce the complex nature of epileptic disorders and the current
available treatments through a series of lectures on the current understanding of the
physiological mechanisms underlying epileptic seizures, animal models of epilepsy, genetics
of human epilepsy and current therapeutic strategies for epilepsy management. Students will
have the opportunity to discuss the nature and diagnostics of epileptic disorders with both
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clinicians and patients, and examine in more detail the mechanisms of action of established
antiepileptic drugs.
The aims of the module are:


To provide an understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying epileptic
disorders currently under investigation;
To provide an appreciation of the identified and potential pharmacological targets for
current drug therapies;
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module students will have the knowledge of physiological
mechanisms, in particular aspects of synaptic transmission mechanisms, that contribute to
epileptic seizures, knowledge of current drug therapies and their mechanisms of action,
and understanding of social aspects of epilepsy management.
PHAYG016 MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (30 credits)
Module Leader: Prof F Anne Stephenson
Today, we are truly in the molecular age. The human genome has been sequenced. It may
not be too long before we all know our own genetic make-up hence our disease
susceptibility and importantly for pharmacists, which drugs will benefit the individual rather
than the population as a whole. Pharmacogenomics is here!
This module explores the molecular mechanisms of disease, how these diseases are
currently treated and how they may be treated in the future either by corrective gene
therapy, stem cell therapy, new drugs targeted to defective gene products or new drugs
targeted to combat viral infections. It focuses on three main therapeutic areas:



Inherited and acquired genetic disease whereby mutations in our genes leads to a
vast array of clinical conditions including cancer.
Diabetes, obesity and coronary heart disease. These diseases are “multifactorial “in
that they do have a genetic basis but lifestyle and diet are major determinants in
the development of clinical conditions.
HIV, HERPES and flu viral infections. Here, it is viral genes that are the target for
drug development.
PHAYG017
CURING CANCER: NEW TARGETS, NEW DRUGS AND NEW PROBLEMS
(30 credits)
Module Leader: Prof Andreas Schatzlein
Cancer kills 1 in 4 people in the UK and the incidence of many forms of the disease is
increasing. This module looks at how an understanding of the way cancer cells die is
leading to the identification of new drug targets. Signalling pathways are important in
apoptosis and an understanding of the receptors and enzymes involved has led to new
drugs such as Gleevec and Herceptin. Further research has thrown out new targets such
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as telomerase, oncogenes such as BCL2 and Ras and tumour suppressors such as p53.
We will focus on several questions such as: Why do cells die after induction of DNA
damage? What are the characteristics of cell death? How can knowledge about the cell
biology underlying cell death be harnessed for the development of novel therapies specific
for cancer? How can we use the unique characteristics of a tumour cell to design drugs
that only target the cancer? The option will demonstrate that a dual knowledge of cell
biology and medicinal chemistry is leading the search for new cancer drugs.
PHAYG018 BIOPHARMACEUTICALS (30 credits)
Module Leader: Prof Ijeoma Uchegbu
Medicines in the new century will encompass a wide variety of actives (low molecular
weight heterocyclic compounds, peptides, proteins, nucleotides, cells and even tissues);
with these products largely driven by rapidly advancing insight into the molecular basis of
both biological function and pathological processes. These actives, especially the
biopharmaceuticals or biologics (proteins, peptides, genes, ribonucleic acids,
oligonucleotides, cells and tissues) will need comprehensive activity/ toxicology profiling, a
new set of analytic descriptors and crucially advanced drug delivery technologies. Current
and future drug delivery scientists must be equipped with the skills to formulate and deliver
these new actives. The aim of the Biopharmaceuticals lecture series is to present students
with knowledge on the specific biological barriers that these new medicines encounter and
the state of the art methods that are used to breach these barriers, and thus facilitate
pharmacological activity from these new actives. This knowledge is vital if these students
are to contribute, during their professional life, to what is largely recognized to be an
industrial sector poised for huge growth. Evidence of the shift in focus of the
pharmaceutical industry to biopharmaceuticals is provided by the recent prediction that
growth in this sector will be largely driven by antibody and peptide medicines.
PHAYG019 MEDICINAL NATURAL PRODUCTS (30 credits)
Module Leader: Prof Michael Heinrich
It is our goal to give a detailed overview of medicinal plants used in phytotherapy and on
natural products uses in allopathic medicine. Several other topics including complementary
medicine, toxic plants and fungi as well as ethnobotany and drug development will also be
included. An understanding of the underlying phytochemistry and ways to do
phytochemical analysis will be an essential part of the module’s curriculum.
PHAYG020 NANOMEDICINE AND TARGETED DELIVERY (30 credits)
Module Leader: Dr George Pasparakis
This is a module that explores recent and advanced approaches to drug delivery and
targeting, emphasizing the need for new nanoscale-based delivery vectors, both natural and
synthetic, a better understanding of targets, and the routes that delivery systems have to
traverse to reach their targets, explain the concept of drug targeting with drug carriers and
distinguish between active and passive drug targeting. An appreciation of the strategies
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adopted in the choice of delivery system for a particular drug and the methods of
characterising the key parameters of delivery systems will be developed. The scope and
limitations of specific examples of carrier systems such as liposomes, dendrimers,
nanoparticles, soluble polymer conjugates, protein-based systems will be explored. The
pharmacokinetic principles of drug targeting and the interaction of delivery systems with the
physiological environment are highlighted. In the School there are several groups with
interests in developing novel delivery systems, such as the Centre for Drug Delivery Research
(CDDR).
PHAYG021 OVERCOMING BIOLOGICAL BARRIERS (30 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Majella Lane
This module focuses on the barriers encountered in both mucosal and non-mucosal drug
delivery. The properties of polymers are discussed in relation to their application in
controlled-release systems. An emphasis is placed on microsphere and nanoparticle
technologies and the applications of these particulates to drug delivery. The nature of the
barriers to achieving delivery by the oral, nasal, pulmonary, ocular, buccal and transdermal
routes are studied in detail together with recent developments in devices and formulations
to enable drug administration by the above routes.
A number of external lecturers supply information about the subject relevant to the needs
of industry. The lectures are augmented with evaluations of published papers in small
group teaching.
PHAYG022 INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF MEDICINES (30 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Simon Gaisford
Modern medicines contain numerous components (an ibuprofen tablet, for instance, contains
around 10 individual ingredients) and each plays a significant role in the performance of the
product. It is thus not easy to ensure the stability of such a formulation, because it must be
ensured that each component is stable on its own and also in combination. These processes
can be classified as chemical changes.
Furthermore, the physical form of a material is often critical to the performance of the final
product. An example would be ensuring the correct polymorph (crystal form) of a drug is
manufactured. Increasingly, the role of amorphous materials in pharmaceuticals is being
understood (and exploited). Again, controlling the physical form of a material through
manufacture, quantifying its presence and demonstrating its stability is central to getting a
license to produce a new medicine. These processes are classified as physical changes.
Once these properties are known they can be exploited to produce products that are easier or
cheaper to produce, have a longer shelf life or which have a greater efficacy and/or fewer sideeffects. This module concentrates on the assessment of the physical properties of materials,
using a range of analytical tools, and considers the implications of these properties at all
stages of the formulation, manufacture and distribution of a medicine. At the end of the module
consideration is given to the regulatory and licensing aspects of pharmaceutical formulation.
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Module material is delivered primarily via a lecture series, but a problem-based coursework
element runs throughout the module, during which the student deals with the key issues
involved in characterising the physical properties of a drug and some excipients and their
subsequent formulation. The lecture series is designed to support the student throughout the
coursework element. The overall aim is to encourage the student to consider the ways in
which physico-chemical information can be obtained and how it can be used to design better
products.
PHAYG023 NEW DRUG TARGETS IN THE CNS (15 credits)
Module Leader: Prof F Anne Stephenson
Neurotransmitter receptor proteins are a major target for drug action within the central nervous
system (CNS). CNS drug discovery programmes have been revolutionized during the last ten
years with the realization that rather than a single neurotransmitter receptor existing per
neurotransmitter, multiple highly homologous neurotransmitter receptor subtypes exist for
each inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter. Therefore, the challenge is to develop receptor
subtype-selective therapeutic compounds with the hope that this new generation of drugs will
have unique and selective therapeutic properties while reducing unwanted adverse effects. In
this module students will initially study the biochemical basis for receptor heterogeneity. Next,
case studies of subtype-selective drugs currently undergoing clinical trial will be presented
including such examples as an NR2B NMDA receptor-selective ligands for the treatment of
neuropathic pain, and GABAA receptor subunit-specific drugs for certain neuroses including
anxiety. A further component of the module will focus on CNS therapeutic targets likely to be
important in the next few years. This module will capitalise on the knowledge and research
work of Professor Stephenson and will also be supplemented by external lecturers from the
pharmaceutical industry.
PHAYG025 ANTICANCER PERSONALISED MEDICINES (15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Geoff Wells
Cancer represents a collection of over 200 distinct diseases and is second only to heart
disease as the cause of premature death in the Western world. Cancer is treated by surgery
whenever possible, but there is often follow-up treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy,
and the latter are sometimes used without surgery either singly or in combination. Although
there are now a large number of cancer chemotherapic agents in current use, many of these
cause unpleasant side effects and there is a need to develop novel agents with higher
selectively and less toxicity. This section of the module begins with an overview of the various
classes of anticancer agents, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. It will then discuss
the various new approaches to cancer chemotherapy that are still in development that seek to
reduce toxicity by enhancing selectivity. Examples will include the kinase inhibitors, antiangiogenics, gene-targeting approaches and antibody targeted strategies such as ADEPT.
19
PHAYG026 NATURAL PRODUCT DISCOVERY (30 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Jose Prieto-Garcia
The study of natural products plays an important role in the discovery of new drugs, and a
significant proportion of clinically-used agents have their origins in plant, animal, bacterial or
fungal sources. The main objective of this module is to convey the continued importance of
compounds from natural sources in the discovery and development of new therapies. This
module will focus on some of the methods used in Pharmacognosy and considers in depth the
types of bioassays employed in pharmacognosy, the lead discovery process and the
application of natural products in cognitive disease. There will also be a session on traditional
Chinese medicines.
PHAYG028
PHARMACOGENOMICS, ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS & BIOMARKERS
(15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Mike Munday
A biomarker is a characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological processes,
pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. The
identification of disease and toxicity is an area of significant interest and much research is
focused on identifying biomarkers for the initial stages of disease or toxic insult, thus paving
the way for future development of new drug targets and early diagnosis and treatment. This
module will pay particular attention to the current and newly developed techniques employed
in the identification of biomarkers. The use of proteomic techniques such as mass
spectrometry for biomarker discovery will be studied in depth as well the methods used to
determine post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, which is especially important
since many tumour biomarkers are glycosylated. The use of metabolomics in biomarker
discovery will be explored. The second part of this module will provide students with a detailed
understanding of methodologies under development and in use which enable processing of
the vast quantity of new information becoming available from genomic interrogation. Examples
of these new technologies will be described that enable extremely rapid, efficient and cost–
minimizing screening of compound libraries in the quest for new drug leads, and interrogation
of the genome in the search for new drug targets and the development of personalized
medicines. A range of approaches will be included illustrating genomic, pharmacogenomicbased high-throughput screen and microarray methodologies.
PHAYG031 ADVANCED STRUCTURE-BASED DRUG DESIGN (15 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Mike Munday
The module will focus on the current methods in the computer aided drug design. Modelling
drug/receptor interactions will be covered in detail, including predicting protein structure,
homology modelling and molecular docking. Other topics will be selected from: conformational
sampling, fragment based drug design, receptor-based de novo design and ligand-based drug
design. Through hands-on experience, students will gain a more complete understanding of
drug design process.
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PHAYG057 MODERN ASPECTS OF DRUG DISCOVERY (30 credits)
Module Leader: Dr Mike Munday
This module comprises two elements: Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Discovery and
Modern Aspects of Drug Discovery
Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Discovery
A basic knowledge of the analytical techniques required to detect and identify compounds and
to determine their physicochemical properties is essential. Furthermore, such analysis is
critical in subsequent quality control of drugs and medicines. In this module students will study
the theoretical basis and practical use of a wide range of techniques, including ultraviolet,
visible and infra-red spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography and the development of
spectroscopic techniques in trace metal analysis. The principles of HPLC and its use and
importance in the elucidation of drug properties are taught (Prof Valko, GSK). The use and
importance of NMR in molecule identification and modelling is introduced and the applications
of mass spectroscopy and an introduction to proteomics is provided (Dr Yang). The basis of
electrophoretic and immunological techniques that are essential in drug target validation
concludes this module (Prof Stephenson).
Modern aspects of drug discovery
Drug discovery through the molecular sciences involves a combination of modern methods of
lead identification, activity optimization, synthesis and/or isolation, and characterization. A
number of aspects of small molecules as drugs will be discussed in this module. The
development of antibiotics are described by Dr Paul Stapleton. The discovery of insulin and
the use of recombinant proteins as medicines are explored (Dr Munday). The story of the
discovery and development of beta blockers and of statins is described (Dr Munday). The
importance of synthetic chemistry to modern drug discovery is explained (Dr Stephen Hilton)
and the use of inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as potential drugs is explored (Dr Geoff
Wells). The development of drug discovery from natural products to strategic computer-based
drug design is illustrated with examples of drugs acting on enzymes (Dr Wilderspin).
END OF SECTION 3
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4. Research Project
4.1
PHAYGX99
Dissertation - MRes
The major component of the MRes is the dissertation which accounts for 150 out of the 180
credits of the final mark for the MRes. The research component will be assessed by the
following three elements:
a)
Written dissertation (worth 75%) marked by the main supervisor and a second member
of staff in the field of research who may be the second supervisor, and moderated by the
Programme Director.
b)
Oral presentation (worth 5%) of the work to the Programme Director (or nominee),
supervisors and at least two other members of staff.
c)
Viva voce panel (worth 20%) with the supervisor, Programme Director (or nominee) and
another member of academic staff in the field of research who may be the second
supervisor.
END OF SECTION 4
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5.
5.1
Assessment and Regulations
PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
The full Programme Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Programmes can be found on the
UCL website at the link below. Students must also read the information contained in the
School Student Handbook. We have included a brief summary of the main regulations in this
handbook; however students must read the regulations in full.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ras/acd_regs
Coursework
Students must complete a number of formative and summative assignments. Formative
assignments give feedback to students on their performance but do not count towards final
marks (however, it may still be a requirement to complete these). Marks for summative
assignments do count towards the final mark for each module. The minimum pass mark is
50%.
Examinations
Students will normally take written examinations for term 1 modules in January and written
examinations for term 2 modules in April-June. Resit examinations are normally held in the last
week of August or the first week of September and will be of the same format and duration as
term 1 and 2 examinations. The minimum pass mark for examinations is 50%.
Resits
The regulations permit students a first opportunity at an assessment and one resit opportunity
only (at the discretion of the Board of Examiners). No further opportunities are permitted. The
higher of the marks achieved at the first attempt and the re-sit attempt will apply. Students
cannot resit modules which they have passed.
Final Degree Mark
The overall pass mark for the award of the MRes is 50%. The final degree mark is calculated
on the average module marks weighted according to the number of credits they carry. The
Master’s degree is worth 180 credits in total so a 30 credit module would contribute 30/180 to
the final mark.
Criteria for the Award of Pass, Merit and Distinction
Please refer to the Post Graduate Taught Academic Regulations, Section 2 (2.10.6)
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/srs/academic-regulations/postgraduate/pg-sec-2
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5.2
SCHEME OF AWARD
There are three components of assessment:
1.
Personal Development Portfolio (Pass/Fail)
Students must provide evidence of attendance and completion of any associated coursework
of the research skills training course. This material will be kept as a personal development
portfolio and will contain evidence of attendance, and completion of any associated
coursework from the research skills training course. This material will be considered and
assessed by the supervisor and the Programme Director of the MRes and will require
confirmation as satisfactory before the degree can be awarded.
2.
Taught Modules (30 credits out of 180 credits)
Students will be required to take all assessment components for these modules as detailed in
the Module Outline.
3.
The research component (150 credits out of 180 credits)
The research component will be assessed by the following three elements:



A written dissertation (75%)
An oral presentation (5%)
A viva voce panel (20%)
END OF SECTION 5
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Appendix 1: Academic Calendar
The MRes is a full-time, twelve-month programme. Students should not plan any
activities to interfere with the 9:00am – 5:00pm schedule, Monday – Friday for the
entirety of the programme.
Students are entitled to a total of 30 days’ holiday. This includes the UCL Closure days and
Bank holidays. These can be found on the Term Dates section of the website here:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/staff/term-dates/. All holidays must be discussed and approved with your
supervisor in advance.
Event
Induction Week
Term 1 Starts
Classes/Research begins
Term Ends
28 September 2015
28 September 2015
5 October 2015
18 December 2015
Date
Term 2 Starts
Examination Period
Term 2 ends
11 January 2016
11 – 15 January 2016
24 March 2016
Term 3 Starts
Examination Period
Term 3 Ends
Thesis and Logbook submission date
Presentation Date
MRes Viva Dates
25 April 2016
28 April – 10 June 2016
10 June 2016
September 2016
September 2016
September 2016
Important Notes
1. UCL School of Pharmacy reserves the right to change these dates if necessary. The School
will inform students of any changes.
2. Students must ensure that they are available to attend all classes throughout the terms.
3. Students on full-time Taught Master’s programmes study for a full calendar year. Therefore
students are expected to study beyond the end of the third term to prepare their dissertation
in time for submission in September.
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