Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) with Preparatory Year

30 credits

You will develop effective study skills, in the context of pharmacy and the essential scientific and professional skills necessary to allow you to progress to the Pharmacy MPharm. You will have a series of practical and theoretical experiences to develop your skills and knowledge, which will also complement and support the subject content of the other modules within the preparatory year programme.

30 credits

You will develop your abilities in a range of mathematical and statistical techniques which you can then apply within a range of scientific contexts. The module reinforces basic mathematical concepts and is accessible to students with a wide range of previous mathematical experiences. The structure and programme of delivery is specifically designed to support the other modules within the programme so ensuring that you will have developed the necessary skills at the correct time for their application within the other modules.

30 credits

The module covers a wide range of fundamental chemical concepts including: atomic and nuclear structure, bonding and structure, energetics, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions and organic chemistry including, isomerism and introduction & reactions of alkanes, haloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives. The module allows you to see the application of Chemistry to a number of Science-based disciplines.

30 credits

This module is designed to provide an essential introduction to the biological sciences, through the study of basic biochemistry, the characteristics of life, selected body systems, genetics and evolution. It also introduces some of the relevant tools and techniques used in modern biology.

30 credits

This module introduces you to the principles of the role of a professional pharmacist and the various responsibilities in providing healthcare. You will explore the principles of health, wellbeing and prescribing attributes. You will gain the knowledge to enable you to respond to symptoms, recognise adverse drug reactions and other interactions. You will also develop communication skills and learn about health promotion.

0 credits

This module is designed to encourage student engagement, develop reflective learning and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice, of the students who are future pharmacists. This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate including the three Navigate workshops.

30 credits

This module gives an overview of the fundamentals of cell and human physiology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic structure and functions of cells, organelles and biomolecules and how these interact with each other to form tissues, organs and organ systems.

You will be introduced to the structure and functions of organ systems in health and selected disease states; the control of homeostasis and the rationale for the use of laboratory investigations and diagnostic tests to diagnose and monitor selected diseases. You will also gain an insight into the pharmacological and non-pharmacological basis of treatment and management of selected cases of altered health to promote healthy living in a patient-centred manner.

30 credits

This module introduces key concepts of medicines' physico-chemical properties and formulation, spanning from synthesis and reactivity of active ingredients to stability and manufacture of commercial products. It provides you with an understanding of essential concepts and physico-chemical principles and techniques in the design and production of various pharmaceutical dosage forms with links to the route of delivery into the body and fundamental concepts relevant to the clinical microbiology of disease-causing organisms and vaccines.

The module examines structure, bonding, stereochemistry, and chemical reactivity of organic molecules of pharmaceutical relevance. The importance of the physical and chemical properties of molecules in determining the activity of a drug is discussed, including an introduction to structure/activity relationships, in terms of anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarials, antivirals, and antibiotics. You will be introduced to spectroscopy as well as in vitro aspects of stability, pharmaceutical analysis, and molecular manipulation.

30 credits

This module reflects the key professional regulations, law and obligations required to become a pharmacist, as dictated by the governing professional body and government legislation. You will be introduced to legal, ethical and inclusive practices related to pharmacy, that are required to go into practice. You will gain the skills that you will need for professional practice such as analysing prescriptions, dispensing relevant products and completing the relevant records. It also ensures you can interpret and apply law and ethics using problem solving, and professional judgement.

0 credits

This module is designed to develop your reflective learning, goal setting, and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice you will need as a future pharmacist.

This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Explore supported by a designated tutor.

All activities need to be satisfactorily completed (including calculation test and OSCE) for you to complete Level 5 and to be allowed to progress to the MPharm programme.

30 credits

This module provides a foundation to understand the structure and function of the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system, including the effects of dysfunction on an individual's physical health and mental well-being. You will learn about common neurological, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal disorders, covering their symptoms, underlying pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and treatment side-effects. You will also cover central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract infections, focussing on common bacterial, viral, and fungal sources. You will explore drug development and individual variations to treatment of neurological, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal system disorders, including the development of specialist formulations used in the management of these conditions.

30 credits

This module looks at key reactions for the synthesis of organic drug molecules including issues around the sustainable product of drugs. Your analytical techniques will be extended to include Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy with a particular focus on problem solving, formulation, the mechanistic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis.

You will learn about the key importance of regulatory affairs associated with drug development, such as clinical trials, licensing and registration.

30 credits

This module describes the underlying mechanisms of common cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine disease and their treatments. You will learn about the aetiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and endocrine dysfunction. You will apply pharmacological, physiological, chemistry and pharmaceutical principles, and evidence-based medicine to effectively diagnose, prevent, delay or manage a disease.

30 credits

This module will further develop diagnostic and consultation skills. It will introduce you to varied consultation models to manage a structured and inclusive consultation. Through simulated and experiential learning opportunities, you will learn how to assimilate and evaluate resources, pathology data, guidance and patient factors to make diagnostic and prescribing decisions. The module includes a portfolio of clinical and physical skills assessments and basic first aid. You will have placement opportunities to practise your consultation, clinical assessment skills and work within a team. You will evidence your skills and competencies gained by completing an e-portfolio. This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Explore supported by a designated tutor.

0 credits

This module is designed to develop your reflective learning, self-confidence and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice, for your role as a future pharmacist.

All activities need to be satisfactorily completed (including calculation test and OSCE) for you to complete Level 6 and to be allowed to continue progressing on the MPharm programme.

30 credits

This module will deal with physiology and pathology of the eye and endocrine and reproductive systems and inflammatory processes and how they can be affected by, or cause disease. The chemistry of the drugs which affect the endocrine, the eye and reproductive systems and those used to treat inflammatory disease and their relevant structure activity relationships will be covered together with the various formulations used to ensure optimal drug delivery in these areas. You will use a series of patient centred case studies to link the scientific content and the application of pharmaceutical care to treat and manage patients, in a variety of settings from disease prevention, managing risks, disease identification, responding to symptoms in the community pharmacy, prescribing and dispensing, through to the management of hospitalised patients.

30 credits

This module will enhance your diagnostic and consultations skills including selection of appropriate assessments and examinations to confirm a diagnosis, treatment selection and ongoing monitoring. You will be introduced to clinical reasoning and shared decision models to enable you to conduct a person-centred consultation. Through simulated and experiential learning opportunities, you will learn how to assimilate and evaluate resources, pathology data and guidance to reach effective and safe prescribing decisions. Through case-based scenarios, you will learn how to manage medical complications and emergencies and patients with co-morbidities. You will evidence the skills and competencies you have gained by completing an e-portfolio. This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Apply.

30 credits

This module will examine the physiology and pathology of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, the chemistry of relevant drugs, formulations and structure-activity relationships. This includes the more complex elements of assessing, diagnosing and treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders and prescribing and optimising treatment for mental health.

30 credits

This module will develop your knowledge of the immune system in health and disease including the use of vaccines, management, prevention and control of infections and the rational use of anti-infective agents. You will explore cancer as a disease, including the management of common cancers and oncological emergencies. The mechanisms of action and practical applications of chemotherapy are described together with novel drug targeting and palliative care. You will also learn about blood cell disorders and their management.

30 credits

You will undertake a substantial piece of original research, clinical audit or service evaluation that requires the collection of data and subsequent analysis of that data.

By completing a mini-research project, you will learn about the types and principles of research methods, methods used for literature reviews, study design methods, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and research ethics, and demonstrate your presentation skills.

0 credits

This module will develop your reflective learning and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice needed for your role as a future pharmacist.

60 credits

This module will incorporate the business and financial aspects of pharmacy. It will enable you to work within a team to demonstrate leadership and mentoring skills. Through simulated exercises, you will assess local public health needs, inequalities, priorities to recommend a service or run a campaign while understanding resources limitations, while considering risk management, risk mitigation and quality improvement. You will demonstrate effective consultation and prescribing skills, while considering resources and legal and ethical frameworks.

30 credits

This module is designed to integrate advanced clinical and scientific concepts as they relate to patient care. Using complex patient cases with multiple comorbidities as the basis for group discussions, you will learn how to apply your clinical skills and scientific knowledge to provide the most appropriate recommendations.