PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MRes Drug Sciences
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MRes
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
n/a
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2012/13 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Faculty of Life Sciences
Parent Department:
UCL School of Pharmacy
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduatestudy/taught/degrees/tmrphmsing01
Length of the programme:
12 months
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Level 7
n/a
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
The MRes will comprise both a taught component of two 15 credit
modules and a larger research component of 150 credits. The MRes
student will attend appropriate courses from the PhD training
programme that covers research skills, presentation and scientific
writing skills.
Research Dissertation
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. 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.
Modules
The MRes student will also study specialist modules to the value of
30 credits. 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 the appropriate modules that are relevant to the topic
of research being carried out. The modules that are available will be
detailed in the Programme Handbook at the start of the year. Module
availability may vary from year to year.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Joint Postgraduate Exam Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: n/a
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The MRes is a full-time postgraduate 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.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Detailed core facts, concepts,
principles and theories which are relevant
to their subject area.
Lectures and seminars for taught modules.
2. Advanced research techniques within
their field of study and be able to employ
these appropriately in relation to their own
work.
Laboratory work
Further reading around the research area.
Participation in the research training programme.
3. The literature and research evidence
already available on their specific area of
research
4. Good experimental design
Assessment:
Module assessment
Research dissertation
Oral presentation
Viva voce examination
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Critically discuss the relevance of their
research in relation to published work in
the field.
Further reading around the research area.
2. Identify, summarise and evaluate the
literature and research evidence available
on their specific area of research and
integrate this within the context of their
own work.
Participation in the research training programme.
3. Define research problems and
formulate research questions and test
hypotheses using appropriate
methodologies and data analysis
techniques.
4. Select the most appropriate strategies
for their research and evaluation with a
thorough understanding of the challenges
of producing valid data which can be
reproduced.
5. Assess and critically analyse the
research evidence produced.
Laboratory work
Guided support from the supervisor(s) and senior
members of their research team.
Assessment:
Module assessment
Research dissertation
Oral presentation
Viva voce examination
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Undertake original research in their
specialist area of study and apply the
principles of good experimental design
and analysis to their own original
research
Lectures and seminars for taught modules.
2. Use laboratory techniques to produce
primary data and maintain good records
of all laboratory work and analysis.
Participation in the research training programme.
Further reading around the research area.
Laboratory work
Guided support from the supervisor(s) and senior
members of their research team.
3. Prepare technical reports and be able
to present the data to different audiences.
4. Utilise and apply statistical and
computing software as appropriate and
be able to analyse numerical, graphical
and textual data.
5. Produce a Personal Development
Record which covers their progression
through the programme.
7. Demonstrate safe handling of chemical
and biological materials taking into
account their physical and chemical
properties including any specific hazards
associated with their use
Assessment:
Module assessment
Research dissertation
Oral presentation
Viva voce examination
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Demonstrate effective oral and written
communication skills through coursework,
oral presentation and written reports.
Lectures and seminars for taught modules.
2. Use and apply IT software
appropriately in relation to their work (i.e.
PowerPoint, Word, Excel and other
packages specific to their research).
Laboratory work
3. Plan and manage their time effectively.
Further reading around the research area.
Participation in the research training programme.
Guided support from the supervisor(s) and senior
members of their research team.
4. Demonstrate their ability to be a critical
and independent learner and to review
published work without bias.
5. Integrate and evaluate information and
evidence from a variety of sources.
6. Work as part of a team and develop
effective working relationships with peers,
supervisors and support staff.
7. Demonstrate an awareness and
understanding of the ethical and legal
aspects of research.
Assessment:
Module assessment
Research dissertation
Oral presentation
Viva voce examination
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Professor Anne Stephenson (Programme Director)
Name(s):
Dr Mala Shah (Deputy Programme Director)
Date of Production:
2 July 2012
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
October 2015