PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc in Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
NA
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2014 entry
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Life Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Divisional/Departmental web page
address:
UCL Division of Biosciences
and
UCL School of Pharmacy
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences
(if applicable)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Full time.
2:1 (Hons) or equivalent international qualification in relevant subject
and successful interview
.
Length of the programme:
(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)
One calendar year full time.
Level 7
At date of production, no relevant postgraduate benchmark.
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Students are required to:
Core: Investigative Pharmacology (30 credits over Term 1 & 2)
Examination (60%); Techniques Poster (10%);
Paper Presentation (10%); Drug Meta-Analysis project (20%)
Core: Practice of Science (30 credits over Term 1 & 2)
Poster 20%, Paper review (1,500 words) 20%;
Figure Design 10%; Abstract presentation 40%;
Project protocol 10%
Core: Molecular Pharmacology (15 credits over Term 1)
Exam (75%); Practical Reports (25%)
Option: G-level module choice (either Term 1 or 2)
Assessment will be based on individual G-level module
Schemes of Award.
Project: 90 credits (Term 1, 2 and 3)
Student will be expected to:
[1] Attend all scheduled lectures on the timetable.
[2} Attend and present poster assignments as scheduled.
[3] Attend and present journal club/paper review assignments.
[4] Complete a research project. Assessment is by a dissertation and
by viva voce.
Board of Examiners:
In the event of failure of <25% of the components of the programme
e.g. failure of coursework or failure of examinations, re-sit
examinations/assessments will be set and administered in the
department. (Note: the maximum number of attempts at any
assessment will remain at 2)
Name of Board of Examiners:
MSc in Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This Programme aims to provide postgraduate study in Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics with an
emphasis on current research. The goal is to allow students to learn about topical areas of Pharmacology and
Therapeutics from scientists who are leaders in their field and to critically appraise current literature. In addition,
students will carry out an original research project in a well-funded, internationally competitive laboratory, and learn
to present their findings both, orally and in the form of essays and a dissertation. The programme aims to train
postgraduate students primarily towards the subsequent completion of a PhD and/or a career in pharmacology
research and drug development. However, the course will also provide an excellent training in areas requiring
critical appraisal of complex data transferable to other disciplines.
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:
(1) Theoretical basis and traditional and
advanced experimental approaches in
pharmacology.
(2) Quantitative principles that underlie
the study of the action of drugs at
receptors beginning with the physicochemical principles which underlie drugreceptor interactions. The molecular
nature of receptors is considered in detail
and a critical and quantitative approach to
the analysis and interpretation of
pharmacological data is developed.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures and practicals given by active, international
class researchers in their field of pharmacology and
therapeutics specialisation. Students will be required to
attend all classes, study extensively on their own and,
on the core courses mentioned above and one optional
module, prepare assessed coursework and a research
thesis.
(3) Written and verbal communication of
science, reference retrieval and
management; abstract writing; poster
preparation; graphical processing; image
preparation for publication; writing a
scientific paper; and giving a research
talk.
(4) Recent developments in therapeutics,
drug discovery and drug development.
(5) [Depending on the optional module
selected]
Neuropharmacology
Receptor Mechanisms
Immunopharmacology
Psychopharmacology
Synaptic Pharmacology
CNS Pharmacology & Disorders
Advanced Cardiovascular Pharmacology
CNS Drugs of Abuse
Epileptic Disorders
Drug discovery and Clinical Development
New Drug Targets in the CNS
Modern Aspects of Drug Discovery
Assessment:
Timed examinations, take-home essays, poster
presentations, production and oral examination of a
dissertation on original research carried out by the
student under the supervision of an active, international
class researcher.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Ability to disseminate complex data and
concepts, critical thinking, problem
solving, creativity.
Practical skills (able to):
(1) In-depth understanding and
application of classical and contemporary
pharmacological and therapeutic
techniques.
.
(2) Literature search-based data
acquisition and analysis.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Intellectual skills are developed throughout the course.
Students are also required to present current
pharmacology research to the other students with
discussion aided by either a programme tutor or other
contributor to the programme.
Assessment:
Students abilities to critically evaluate data will assessed
summatively through poster presentations, paper
reviews, report writing associated with specific modules
and the project dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(1) Students will undertake an almost entirely practicalbased module in Experimental Pharmacology as core.
Techniques taught will include those developed at the
host institution and others currently employed in
pharmacological and therapeutic research.
(2) Students will use data-mining software to acquire
information on a selected drug and develop a report on
its therapeutic impact.
Assessment:
(1) Students will sit an examination paper structured to
assess the students’ analytical skill in light of the
techniques they have gained experience with.
Additionally, students will present a “Techniques Poster”
in an assigned methodology. Further, as part of this
Experimental Pharmacology module component of the
programme, students will give an oral presentation
reviewing a recent paper in the field.
(2) Students will submit a concise written report on
meta-analysis of the drug assigned to them.
D: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
(1) Manage and design a project, manage
time efficiently, learn techniques and
methodologies in current
pharmacology/therapeutics research.
(2) Presentation of ideas, concepts and
original research in a clear and concise
manner.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The students are required to approach a supervisor in a
field of pharmacology or therapeutics research that they
are interested in, negotiate their entry into that lab to
complete a project in a limited timeframe, present their
findings orally and complete a written research report in
the form of a dissertation.
Assessment:
The successful completion of a research project requires
these skills. Therefore, the completion of an oral
examination and production of a dissertation on original
research carried out by the student indirectly assesses
(1) and directly assesses (2).
E: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
(1) Effective communication, oral/visual
presentation.
(2) Active listening,
understanding/tolerance of others,
groupwork/teamwork, self
awareness/assessment, peer
assessment, initiative/proactive approach,
Independence and leadership,
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(1) Students will learn to present current pharmacology
and therapeutics research to their peers and
teaching/research staff. The students will also
understand the process of engaging scientific colleagues
as part of their approach to perspective supervisors to
secure a project of interest to them in an area relevant to
the programme remit.
(2) These skills will be garnered in some respect in all of
the modules constituting the programme but, in
particular, honed in the Experimental Pharmacology
module where students will work as teams, and under
the challenge of the research environment offered by
laboratory hosting their project.
Assessment:
(1) is assessed through the production and oral
examination of a dissertation on original research carried
out by the student under the supervision of an active,
international class researcher.
(2) is not formally assessed, however, during oral
presentations, all students will be present and mutually
exchange both oral and written review, in addition
obtaining feedback from module tutors.
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 Jasmina Jovanovic (Department of Pharmacology,
Name(s):
UCL School of Pharmacy)
Date of Production:
Dr Talvinder Sihra (Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology,
UCL Division of Biosciences)
31st May 2013
Date of Review:
June 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
June 2015
June 2015