University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2014/15 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience > Pharmacology with Study in Industry (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PHAR003U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Neil Marrion
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biomedical science (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The MSci programme aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of pharmacology, ranging from the fundamental principles of drug-receptor theory through to the importance and implications of drugs in society. Students will gain an understanding of the processes involved in drug design, from molecule to new therapeutic agents. Students will also learn about the scope of Pharmacology, i.e. how drugs interact with body constituents to produce therapeutic effects and how the effects of drugs on biological systems can be studied and quantified. The students will gain early exposure (year 3) to industrial methodologies and to a variety of advanced technologies that are rarely experienced in the university environment. The programme is designed primarily for those students who intend to pursue a career as practicing pharmacologists, carrying out pharmacological research in industry or in academia.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written examination – multiple-choice questions, extended-matching, short notes, essays and data interpretation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their studies at level one, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core aspects of Pharmacology and a level of competence in the relevant skills. It is expected that students should be able to relate this basic knowledge to a more detailed or advanced understanding of the subject later in the programme. The expectation is that their work at this level may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level two students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of Pharmacology in selected areas. They should also have developed a higher and broader level of competence in the relevant skills and practical techniques. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning, setting and achieving aims, and analysing their own performance. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level three students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of Pharmacology through their study of the core curriculum and through their literary and practical work. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at levels one and two, applying knowledge gained through formal teaching to new and as yet unexplored systems. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
The work at this level will be informed by the latest research approaches and findings and, through the year spent in industry, will enable direct interaction with the international pharmacological research community. Students will become fully conversant with the principles of a research-led learning environment. During the final year, students will attend a series of advanced topic seminars, from which they will select 1 or 2 to explore in depth. They will undertake a project where they will research and construct a research grant proposal. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate levels depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual clinical or research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Science are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the 29 weeks of the academic year. (In year five of the BVSc programme clinical training commitments raise this to 35 weeks). This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials, practical classes and clinical instruction. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as practical class reports, project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study. Teaching is normally delivered during weeks 1-24 with weeks 25-29 being for private study and exams, except in the final year of most BSc programmes when teaching finishes in week 20.
Wednesday afternoon is set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Students in the final year of the BVSc programme should note that they will not normally be able to continue with such activities due to clinical commitments. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. Veterinary students will have commitments to extramural rotations during many vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the mid-sessional examinations held in January and for the end of year examinations held in May/June. Should you be unsuccessful in the summer examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations. On the Veterinary programme this is related to the need to demonstrate certain knowledge, skills and competencies required by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies. These may require students to undertake study and assessments at times outside normal university hours of work, including on days associated with religious observance.
The medical science BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. (Please note that the BVSc Programme is not modular and therefore does not award credit points). We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fmvs/media/uobonly/ug/assessment_feedback_statement.pdf
Prof Neil Marrion
Programme Director – Pharmacology
School of Physiology and Pharmacology
Medical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TD
All mandatory units in Year 1 are must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study, with a formal period of study in industry, in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Pharmacology 1A | PHPH10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Plus 80 credit points from: | ||||
Understanding Body Function | PHPH10009 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Biochemistry 1G General Biochemistry at a Cellular and Molecular Level | BIOC10100 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Pathological Responses of Cells | PANM12052 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | PSYC10008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Introduction to Social Psychology | PSYC10007 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | PSYC10006 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Introduction to Biological Psychology | PSYC10009 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Anatomical Science 1A: Cells, tissues and the nervous system | ANAT10101 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Anatomical Science 1B: Visceral and musculoskeletal systems | ANAT10102 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
The following options can also be taken subject to timetabling constraints | ||||
Mathematics 1A20 | MATH11004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Principles of Pharmacology 2A (PHPH20011) and Principles of Pharmacology 2B (PHPH20012) are must pass units. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study, with a formal period of study in industry, in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH20011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Pharmacology of Body Systems | PHPH20012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Biomedical Research, Employability and Enterprise Skills | MVSF20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Plus 60 credit points from list below: | ||||
Neurophysiology | PHPH20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Developmental and Cellular Physiology of the Specialised Cell | PHPH20010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | PSYC10006 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Introduction to Social Psychology | PSYC10007 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | PSYC10008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Introduction to Biological Psychology | PSYC10009 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Integrative Physiology | PHPH20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Human Anatomy: Thorax, Head and Neck | ANAT20003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Human Anatomy: Abdomen, Pelvis and Limbs | ANAT20002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The following options can also be taken subject to timetabling constraints | ||||
Gene expression and rearrangement | MOLG22200 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Pathological Responses of Cells | PANM12052 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Infection and Immunity | PANM22041 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Cellular and Molecular Pathology | PANM22042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Macromolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function | BIOC20002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Molecular Cell Biology | BIOC20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Social Anthropology | ANTH10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Understanding Body Function A | PHPH10010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Understanding Body Function B | PHPH10011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Recombinant DNA Technology | MOLG22100 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language | LANG10120 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Any Languages Unit | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study, with a formal period of study in industry, in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Industrial study | PHPH30001 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-1,TB-4 |
Study in Industry Project (M level) | PHPHM0001 | 80 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study, with a formal period of study in industry, in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pharmacology Research proposal | PHPHM0002 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies | PHPH30003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Concepts and Skills (pharmacology) | PHPH30005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Select: | ||||
Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission | PHPH30002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH30004 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
One of the units below can also contribute to 20 credit points but you may only take one of these options and it must be taken in place of either PHPH30002 or PHPH30004. They are available subject to timetabling constraints. | ||||
The Heart in Health & Disease | PHPH30019 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neurological and Psychiatric disorders | PHPH30013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Pharmacology with Study in Industry (MSci) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
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.
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