PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Pharmacology
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
Integrated B.Sc. with Medical Sciences
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From September 2008
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Life Sciences
Parent Department:
Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/npp
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Successful completion of Phase 1 MBBS
Length of the programme:
3 years (with optional 1 year in industry or study abroad)
(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 6
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statem
ents/Biosciences07.pdf
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degreeprogrammes/pharmacology/BSc-Pharmacology
and
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degreeprogrammes/pharmacology/modules
Name of Board of Examiners:
“Board of examiners in Pharmacology”
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
To provide education in pharmacology of the highest quality and so produce graduates with sufficient indepth understanding and appreciation of pharmacology to be successfully applied in employment, further
study, or research in pharmacology, or in a related subject, while with sufficient breadth for those who will
study pharmacology no further than first degree level to successfully use the knowledge and skills
developed during the degree in a wide range of careers.
To offer a variety of learning experiences under the supervision of teachers actively engaged in research
in pharmacology and related subjects in order to stimulate and encourage an attitude of enquiry and
interest centred on the acquisition of knowledge and a desire for understanding.
To continue to attract outstanding students irrespective of their origins and background and to develop
their knowledge, interest and appreciation of science via teaching in pharmacology.
To stimulate and sustain enthusiasm for pharmacology and to enable students to engage in the
subsequent phases of their careers with initiative and confidence in their abilities.
To encourage the development of the personal transferable skills that will be essential for students’
subsequent careers.
To encourage an appreciation of social and commercial aspects of the application and exploitation of
pharmacological knowledge and techniques.
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. The mechanisms of drug action.
2. Use and actions of drugs in
medicine.
3. Research methods used to
investigate drug action.
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. Critical and quantitative data
analysis
2. Interpretation of experimental data
3. Critical reasoning
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of 1 continues through all years of study
through lectures, tutorials and practical, computer
simulation and data analysis exercises and self-directed
learning
Acquisition of 2 is through a combination of the above
teaching methods applied to introducing concepts of
drug action in 1st year, the systematic study of drug
action in 2nd year (25% of student time) and advanced
teaching of selected areas of pharmacology of
immediate clinical relevance in 3rd year.
Acquisition of 3 begins in 1st year with a brief
introduction to quantitative methods used in
pharmacology and is expanded in 2nd year with 25% of
student time devoted to experimental pharmacology
while lectures, tutorials and self-directed learning
explore and expand knowledge of research methods.
Advanced knowledge of research methods is developed
in 3rd year during lectures, tutorials and practical classes
and by the completion of laboratory or library project
course units.
Assessment:
A variety of assessment methods (unseen written
examinations (1,2), assessed coursework (1-3) in the
form of essays, data analysis exercises, and other set
assignments) are used to test the student knowledge
base, promote student learning and to provide feedback
to students on the effectiveness of their learning.
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Student intellectual skills are developed through the
teaching and learning programme outlined above which
provided discussion of key issues, practice in applying
concepts both orally and in writing, analysis and
interpretation of experimental data, and individual
feedback sessions for students on work produced.
Assessment:
The methods of assessment employed in the degree
programme all place emphasis on the student’s ability to
demonstrate skills 1-3 through the production of
coherent written and oral responses to the assessment
task set during the degree programme.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Select, collate and present
information obtained from a variety
of sources
2. Obtain and synthesise
bibliographically-based information
3. Design valid experimental
approaches to the investigation of
drug action
4. Perform experiments designed to
elucidate drug action in isolated
tissues
5. Quantify, analyse and present
experimental results
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Skills 1 and 2 are developed in 1st, 2nd and 3rd years in
response to set course work tasks and self-directed
learning and are enhanced in 3rd year in response to
course work tasks and critical literature review required
for library and practical project reports. Students receive
guidance and instruction in lectures, tutorials and
practical classes on skills 3-5 and develop these skills in
practical classes and in completing set course work
tasks in 2nd and 3rd year.
Assessment:
Skills 1 and 2 are primarily assessed through set course
work and the assessment of library and laboratory
projects in final year and in addition is assessed in
unseen written examinations particularly in final year
when student learning is directed towards the research
literature. Skills 3-5 are assessed in the course work
and in aspects of unseen written examinations.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1. manage time and work to deadlines
2. work constructively in groups
3. work independently
4. find information and use information
technology
5. communicate verbally and in writing
6. assess ideas and make valid
inferences from collected
information
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Development of student transferable skills is achieved
within all courses which require regular written work,
prepared independently or in groups (submitted by
specific deadlines) and through discussion of feedback
on work. Skill 1 is learnt (rather than taught) through by
enabling students to experience deadlines throughout
the degree programme that are notified at the start of
each course. Skills 2 and 3 are developed in 2nd year in
practical classes and in 3rd year courses. Skills 4-6 are
developed throughout the degree programme in both
formal teaching and in self-directed student learning.
Assessment:
Assessed course work and library and laboratory project
reports are used to assess skills 1,4,5,6 while skills 2
and 3 are assessed in 2nd year practical work and by
both staff and peer assessment in final year.
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)
Name(s):
Dr Talvinder S. Sihra
Date of Production:
25th April 2003
Date of Review:
June 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
June 2015
June 2015