PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc Pharmaceutical Formulation and Entrepreneurship
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc (with options for PGDip and PGCert exits)
(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 2015 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:
2:2 BSc in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Materials Science,
Pharmaceutical Science, or a related field.
Length of the programme:
1 year
(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)
7
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Students take four modules (4 x 15 credits) in business/innovation
and entrepreneurship. They select two scientific modules in the
development of dosage forms (2 x 30 credits) from a selection of four.
Each module is assessed by coursework (30 – 50 %) and a written
exam (50 – 70 %). Students also undertake a laboratory-based
research project, or a project in which they develop a business case
to seek funding for a pharmaceutical product or innovation (60
credits). The project is assessed through a written dissertation and an
oral presentation.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Pharmacy Postgraduate Exam Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The MSc in Pharmaceutical Formulation and Entrepreneurship (PFE) at UCL provides recent graduates with the
skills and knowledge to allow them to participate effectively in the creation and growth of high-impact
pharmaceutical business ventures. The development of this course is in direct response to the demands of industry
and of potential students.
Students will learn how to develop and assess a new business concept, and how to raise finance for and market a
business and its outputs. They will build their scientific skillset by exploring two emerging research areas in
pharmaceutics, including novel ways to overcome biological barriers, biopharmaceuticals, clinical medicines
manufacture, paediatric medicines management, advanced formulation strategies, and nanomedicines / drug
targeting. In their research project, students undertake original experimental work or develop a business case and
as a result develop both scientific and transferrable skills.
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) The analysis and evaluation of data and
options required to inform sound
managerial decisions relating to a new
business opportunity
i) and ii) Seminars and classes covering topics relating
to the generation of new business concepts, the
assessment of feasibility and the execution of
appropriate business models and strategies. Group and
project based activities along with case-based teaching.
Extensive self-directed study.
ii) The integration of entrepreneurial
theory and practice along with an
understanding of the practicalities and
limitations of existing management
frameworks in the context of a specific
new pharmaceutical business
opportunity.
iii) Lectures, structured tutorials, directed reading and
hands-on practical sessions with the instruments.
iii) Two advanced topics in
pharmaceutics, selected from:
- How biological barriers to drug delivery
can be overcome, focusing on modifiedrelease technologies and the barriers
encountered in both mucosal and nonmucosal drug delivery;
- The key analytical techniques used in
pharmaceutics, including calorimetry, Xray diffraction, and high-performance
liquid chromatography;
- 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.
iv) How to initiate, manage, and report a
scientific or business development
research project in pharmaceutics.
iv) Undertaking of self-managed scientific or business
development project, with support from an assigned
academic member (the supervisor) and other expert
staff.
Assessment:
i) Class participation; open-book and ‘unseen’
examinations, long essays; presentations and group or
individual course work.
ii) Class participation; open-book and ‘unseen’
examinations, dissertation assignments, long essays;
presentations and group or individual course work.
iii) Written exams and coursework (essays,
presentations, practical reports);
iv) Written report and oral presentation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i) Develop and encourage creativity at the
individual, team and enterprise scale.
ii) Critically evaluate evidence and
strategy in the context of emerging
business opportunities.
iii) Assess, quantify and where
appropriate mitigate critical risks and
uncertainties arising from incomplete or
imperfect information.
iv) Understand and disseminate complex
data and concepts in pharmaceutics;
v) Evaluation and critical appraisal of
scientific literature.
vi) Ability to identify problems, and to
develop ways to solve them effectively.
Lectures, structured tutorials, group and individual
exercises undertaken in class; projects.
Assessment:
Written exams and coursework; group work; written
report and oral presentation on project.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i) Communicate effectively in writing and
orally.
ii) Gather and critically evaluate primary
and secondary research material. 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) Design and manage a project within a
given timescale.
vi) Analyse and interpret the results of
scientific or business analysis research
work.
i), ii), iii), iv) Lectures, structured tutorials, research
project, feedback on formative pieces of work;
v) Project;
vi) Project, individual and group exercises.
Assessment:
i), ii), iv) Written exams, coursework.
iii) Project oral presentation, group exercises in class,
coursework presentations.
v) Written report and oral presentation on project.
vi) Written report and oral presentation on project,
written reports on laboratory practical sessions / group
exercises.
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 / project supervisors. Guidance given by
PhD/postdoc mentors or academic faculty in 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 and
business data and reports.
vii) Work effectively with others.
viii) Adopt an independent and proactive
approach to work.
iii), iv) Group meetings in project group exercises in
class; presentations/discussions given in taught
modules;
v) Project, group exercises.
vi) Lectures, structured tutorials, research project.
vii) Group work in taught modules, research project.
viii) Research project.
Assessment:
i) Coursework, written exams (both open and closed
book), written report on project.
ii) Coursework, written report on project, oral
presentations.
iii), iv) Coursework presentations, oral presentation of
research project.
v) Written report and oral presentation of research
project.
vi) Coursework, written report and oral presentation of
project.
vii), viii) Supervisor report on 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 (UCL School of Pharmacy)
Name(s):
Alan Parkinson (UCL Management Sciences & Innovation)
Date of Production:
2015
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
October 2015