Pharmacology degrees
Programme details | Ìý |
---|---|
Start date | September |
UCAS code | BSc PharmacologyÌýB210 |
Duration | BSc 3 years Full Time |
Location | UCL Bloomsbury |
Why study PharmacologyÌýatÌýUCL?
Ìý
In the , 911±¬ÁÏÍøasÌýranked number one in London and fourth in the world for the study of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.Ìý
UCL retains a strong focus on practical teaching and laboratory skills as well as small group tutorial teaching. From yourÌýsecond year onwards approximately half of yourÌýtime will beÌýspent either in small group tutorials, in practical classes or in analysing and reporting on the data youÌýrecorded in yourÌýpracticals.
You will have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry, either between year two and three of the BSc programmeÌýor year three and four of the MSci programme, spending time in the pharmaceutical industry or another pharmacology-related area. A year in industry allows you to gain practical experience and give you an insight into what area you would like to pursue upon graduation.Ìý
We offer a wide range of advanced modules includingÌýmodules in molecular and receptor pharmacology, neuropharmacology, synaptic, immunopharmacology, psychopharmacology and more.  
Join world-class laboratories to pursue your own research.ÌýFor the BSc this will account for 38% of the year, whilst for the MSciÌýit will account for 50-75% of the year.ÌýThese research projects provide you with a chance to work as part of a world-leading laboratory, making yourÌýown scientific discoveries.
Become part of a great history.Ìý previous professor and head of the department of pharmacology at 911±¬ÁÏÍø, wasÌýawarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on β-blockers and histamine H2 receptor antagonists which lead to the development of propranolol and cimetidine, a drug used to treat stomach ulcers.ÌýOther titans of UCL’s proud history in pharmacology include  winner of the Nobel prize in 1922 for physiology or medicine, whose work led to the development of modern, quantitative pharmacology and founder member of the British Pharmacology Society, first editor of the British Journal of Pharmacology and discoverer of Substance P, an important molecule in pain.
What is the difference between the BSc and the MSci?
- The BSc is a threeÌýyear programme whilstÌýthe MSci is taken over fourÌýyears.
Ìý - Both programmes are identical in years one and two.
Ìý - In year three, BSc students may undertake a small-scale research project. MSci students will undertake a literature review.
Ìý In year four, MSci students will beÌýable to choose the lab withÌýwhich they will work and then collaborate with an existing project, becoming part of a world-leading active laboratory research project. Up to three-quarters of their fourth year is spent in a leading laboratory doing research.Ìý
InÌýyear two, students on the BSc programme can evaluate their programme choice and apply to change to the MSci, contingent on their marks in the programme to date. Students on the MSci programme must achieve certain results to stay in the programme.
Course structure overview
All years have 120 credits total. Modules are either 15 or 30 credits.ÌýYear one consists of fiveÌýcompulsory modules,Ìýcovering chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, statistics and, of course, pharmacology.ÌýThe first year is thus designed to give you a solid foundation that prepares you for years two and three.ÌýThis is the same for both BSc and MSci students.Ìý
In year two you willÌýhave fourÌýcompulsory modules focussed on pharmacology.ÌýThere is a major emphasis on laboratory practicals and experimental pharmacology and you will take one large module devoted entirely to this area. In addition to the compulsory elements, you will have a choice for one of your modules in your second year.
In year three, BSc students will undertake a lab-based project and MSci students a literature-based project. All students have one compulsory module and are then able to choose from a wide range of optional modules.Ìý
In year four, MSci students will undertake an extended experimental project. Additionally, they will be able to choose from a range of optional modules.Ìý
Year one course content
Five compulsory modules are undertaken by all PharmacologyÌýstudents:
BIOC0001Ìý Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Amanda Cain
CELL0007Ìý Cells and Development (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Sandip PatelÌý​​​​​
CHEM0010Ìý Chemistry for Biology Students (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Andrea Sella
PHAR0002ÌýAn Introduction to the Mechanisms of Drug Action (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Guy Moss
PHOL0001ÌýMammalian Physiology (30 credits)
Leader: Dr Richard Tunwell
Year two course content
Compulsory modulesÌý
INIM0005 Immunology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Milica Vukmanovic-Stejic
PHAR0004 General and Systematic Pharmacology (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0006 Experimental Pharmacology (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Mark Farrant
PHOL0005 Structure and Function of Nervous Systems (15 credits)
Leader:Ìý
Optional modules
Students will need to choose minimum of 15 and maximum of 30 credits:
One of
BIOC0006 Essential Protein Structure and Function (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stephen Perkins
OR
BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Eleni Makrinou
Students will need to choose minimum of 0 and maximum of 15 credits
NEUR0007 Cellular Neurophysiology
Leader:ÌýDr Martin Stocker
ANAT0002 Developmental Neurobiology
Leader:ÌýProfessor Patricia Salinas
CHEM0023ÌýChemistry of Biologically Important Molecules
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stefan Howorka
Year three course content
BSc PharmacologyÌý
Compulsory
PHAR0011 Molecular Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Alasdair Gibb
Students will need to choose minimum of 30 and maximum of 45 credits
PHAR0016ÌýAdvanced Investigative Project in Pharmacology (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0017 Advanced Research Project in Pharmacology (45 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
MSci Pharmacology
Compulsory
PHAR0016ÌýAdvanced Investigative Project in Pharmacology (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0011 Molecular Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Alasdair Gibb
Ìý
Students in both programmes can then choose from a large range of optional modules
Pharmacology focussed modulesÌý
- BScÌýStudents will need to choose minimum of 0 and maximum of 90 credits
- MSci Students will need to choose minimum of 45 and maximum of 75 credits
PHAR0010ÌýNeuropharamcology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Stephanie Koch
PHAR0012 Receptor Mechanisms (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Alasdair Gibb
PHAR0013ÌýPharmacology of Inflammation (Extended) (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0014ÌýDrug Design and Development (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0015ÌýPsychopharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Neil Millar
PHAR0018ÌýSynaptic Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0019ÌýPharmacology of Inflammation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0024ÌýToxicology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Joanna Edwards
Broader module examples (a full list of available modules will be provided to students on the programme)
- BSc students will need to choose minimum of 0 and maximum of 90 credits
- MSci students will need to choose minimum of 0 and maximum of 30 credits
BIOL0020ÌýSex, Genes and Evolution (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Andrew Pomiankowski
BIOC0017ÌýCancer Biology (15 credits)
Leader:Ìý
ANAT0013ÌýPain (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Sandrine Geranton
ANAT0008ÌýNeurodegenerative Diseases (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stephen Davies
NEUR0009ÌýMetabolic Neuroscience (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stefan Trapp
NEUR0014ÌýNeural Basis of Learning/Motivation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Francesca Cacucci
NEUR0015ÌýControl of Movement (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Christopher Yeo
NEUR0016ÌýNeural Computation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Neil Burgess
Year four course content (MSci only)
Students will need to choose minimum of 60 and maximum of 90 credits:
PHAR0023ÌýMSci Extended Research Project in Pharmacology (90 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0001ÌýMSci Research Project in Pharmacology (60 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
Pharmacology focussed modules
MSci Students will need to choose minimum of 30Ìýand maximum of 60Ìýcredits
PHAR0010ÌýNeuropharamcology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Stephanie Koch
PHAR0012 Receptor Mechanisms (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Alasdair Gibb
PHAR0013ÌýPharmacology of Inflammation (Extended) (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0014ÌýDrug Design and Development (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0015ÌýPsychopharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Neil Millar
PHAR0018ÌýSynaptic Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0019ÌýPharmacology of Inflammation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Dean Willis
PHAR0024ÌýToxicology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Joanna Edwards
Broader module examples (a full list of available modules will be provided to students on the programme)
MSci students will need to choose minimum of 0 and maximum of 30 credits
BIOL0020ÌýSex, Genes and Evolution (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Andrew Pomiankowski
BIOC0017ÌýCancer Biology (15 credits)
Leader:Ìý
ANAT0013ÌýPain (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Sandrine Geranton
ANAT0008ÌýNeurodegenerative Diseases (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stephen Davies
NEUR0009ÌýMetabolic Neuroscience (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Stefan Trapp
NEUR0014ÌýNeural Basis of Learning/Motivation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Francesca Cacucci
NEUR0015ÌýControl of Movement (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Christopher Yeo
NEUR0016ÌýNeural Computation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Neil Burgess
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Our latest researchÌý
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Epithelial Physiology
Ìý
Circuits and Systems Neuroscience
Careers
Ìý
80% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after employment (.ÌýOur alumni can be found in areas includingÌýhealth and social care, manufacturing, research, policy and government.ÌýCompanies that have employed our graduates in recent years include Novartis, the UK government, UK Biocentre, the NHS and many more.ÌýSome of our graduates also hold senior academic positions at other universities.
In addition to pharmacology, we focus on teaching our students highly sought-after transferable skills from the first week of the programme. These includeÌýteamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking/evaluation, data literacy, analysis and visualisation, literacy, scientific reading, presentation training,Ìýwritten/verbal communication, IT skills and more.ÌýIn addition to the development of these skills within the formal structure of the programme, UCL provides many opportunities for students to practice these skills in other environments. These include summer internships, our student societies, the Changemakers programme and our entrepreneurship/start-up programmes.ÌýIn addition to being enjoyable and educational, these opportunities provide students with examples of their abilities in the key skills sought by employers for their CV and to use in job interviews. These are the examples that can clearly differentiate recent graduates from the rest of the crowd and assist them in landing their first major career role.Ìý
Find outÌýmore about our graduate employability and earnings statistics atÌý.
Useful careers resources:
My UCL Careers
911±¬ÁÏÍøeuroscience Careers Network
Professional Development Courses
Linked In Learning
Public Engagement Training
Public PolicyÌýTraining
Interested in start-ups?Ìý
Many of our pharmacologyÌýstudents are interested in start-ups, social enterprises and developing entrepreneurial skills. UCL's Innovation and Enterprise division offers training, start-up grants, competitions, communities and much more, all of which are free to students on this programme.
UCL's entrepreneurship community has supported over 300 UCL start-ups since 2010 and raised over £280 million in investment.Ìý
ÌýFind out More
For information on entry requirements, fees, how to apply and much more visit the BSc PharmacologyÌýProspectus PageÌýor MSci PharmacologyÌýProspectus Page.