PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc Pharmaceutics
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc Pharmaceutics
(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/tmsphmsdde01
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)
Level 7
n/a
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Students must take two core modules (2 x 30 credits) and select two
further option modules (2 x 30 credits) from a selection of four. Each
module is assessed by coursework (30 – 50 %) and a written exam
(50 – 70 %). They also undertake a laboratory-based research
project (60 credits), which is assessed through a written dissertation
and an oral presentation.
Name of Board of Examiners:
Pharmacy Postgraduate Exam Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: n/a
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This programme addresses the fundamental science underlying the design, development, and manufacture of
medicines. Students will develop knowledge of how biological barriers to drug delivery can be overcome, and will
gain both understanding and practical ability in the key analytical techniques used in pharmaceutics (including
calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography). The option modules permit them to
explore emerging research areas in pharmaceutics, including biopharmaceuticals, clinical medicines manufacture,
paediatric medicines management, advanced formulation strategies, and nanomedicine / drug targeting. In their
research project, students undertake original experimental work and as a result develop both scientific and
transferrable skills. MSc Drug Delivery graduates from UCL are thus highly skilled scientists capable of taking new
drug candidates and developing them into world-class medicines.
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:
i) How biological barriers to drug delivery
can be overcome, focusing on modifiedrelease technologies and the barriers
encountered in both mucosal and nonmucosal drug delivery.
i) Lectures, structured tutorials and directed reading.
ii) The key analytical techniques used in
pharmaceutics, including calorimetry, Xray diffraction, and high-performance
liquid chromatography.
ii) Lectures, structured tutorials, directed reading and
hands-on practical sessions with the instruments.
iii) Two advanced topics in
pharmaceutics, selected from:
- The clinical manufacture of medicines
and the management of paediatric
medicines;
- Approaches to achieve the effective
delivery of the labile, high molecular
weight biomolecules which are
increasingly used in 21st century
medicines;
- Drug targeting, and how nanoscale
systems can improve targeting specificity;
- Effective formulation strategies for a
wide range of medicine types
iii) Lectures, structured tutorials and directed reading.
iv) How to initiate, manage, and report a
scientific research project in
pharmaceutics.
iv) Research project undertaken in one of the
pharmaceutics research groups, with guidance from an
academic member of staff and PhD/postdoctoral
researchers.
Assessment:
i) and iii) Written exams and coursework (essays,
presentations);
ii) Written examination and coursework (practical
experimental sessions and written reports thereon);
iv) Written report and oral presentation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i) Ability to understand and disseminate
complex data and concepts in
pharmaceutics;
ii) Evaluation and critical appraisal of
scientific literature
iii) Ability to identify problems, and to
develop ways to solve them effectively.
i) Lectures, structured tutorials, research project;
ii) Lectures, structured tutorials, research project, staffsupported critical appraisal exercise;
iii) Experimental research project.
Assessment:
i) Written exams and coursework;
ii) Critical appraisal exercise; written research project
and oral presentation;
iii) Written report on research project.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i) Communicate effectively in writing and
orally;
ii) Make effective use of databases, digital
resources and key computer programmes
(word processors, spreadsheets, etc);
iii) Listen to and discuss the ideas of
others;
iv) Maintain a constant rhythm of learning
and research;
v) Manage and design an experimental
research project. Learn the theory and
practical implementation of key
techniques used in current
pharmaceutics;
vi) Analyse and interpret the results of
experimental work.
i), ii), iii), iv) Lectures, structured tutorials, experimental
research project, feedback on formative pieces of work;
v) Experimental research project;
vi) Experimental research project, practical sessions.
Assessment:
i), ii), iv) Written exams, coursework;
iii) Research project oral presentation, coursework
presentations;
v) Written report and oral presentation of research
project;
vi) Written report and oral presentation of research
project, written reports on laboratory practical sessions.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i) Write good essays and written reports;
i) Formative feedback on draft work provided by module
tutors / research project supervisors;
ii) Formative feedback on draft work provided by module
tutors / research project supervisors. Guidance given by
PhD/postdoc mentors or academic faculty in research
project;
iii), iv) Group meetings in research project;
presentations/discussions given in taught modules;
v) Experimental research project;
ii) Use computer resources and
information technology effectively;
iii) Present material orally;
iv) Listen and contribute in class
v) Be reflective practitioners able to
reflect on and learn from their own ideas
and experiences;
vi) Critically assess scientific data and
reports;
vii) Work effectively with others;
viii) Adopt an independent and proactive
approach to work.
vi) Lectures, structured tutorials, research project;
vii) Group work in taught modules, research project;
viii) Research project.
Assessment:
i) Coursework, written exams, written report on research
project;
ii) Coursework, written research project, oral
presentations;
iii), iv) Coursework, oral presentation of research project;
v) Written report and oral presentation of research
project;
vi) Coursework, written report and oral presentation of
research project;
vii), viii) Supervisor report on research project; group
coursework;
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)
Dr Gareth Williams (Programme Director)
Name(s):
Dr Simon Gaisford (Deputy Programme Director)
Date of Production:
November 2013
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
October 2015