Pharmacology - BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

Through a combination of core biological principles and specialized modules, students develop skills in drug target identification, drug action mechanisms, and research evaluation. The program prepares graduates for careers in research, drug development, patenting, and teaching, with opportunities for industrial placements and a tropical biology field course.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Overview:

The Pharmacology BSc (Hons) at Keele University is a 3-year full-time program that focuses on molecular pharmacology and drug discovery. With a strong grounding in core biological areas, this program aims to provide students with the necessary skills to pursue a career in a variety of sectors, such as research, drug development, patenting, and teaching.

Objectives:

• Provide students with a solid understanding of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, physiology, and anatomy, and how they apply to the development and treatment of acquired and inherited diseases.
• Develop students' skills in the identification and exploitation of novel drug targets and the mechanisms by which they can be modulated.
• Enable students to critically evaluate published research in the field of pharmacology and communicate their findings effectively in a variety of settings.
• Prepare students for careers in research, drug development, patenting, and teaching.

Outline:

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology.

Year 1:

• Fundamentals of Biology
• Chemistry for Biosciences
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Pharmacology

Year 2:

• Molecular Pharmacology I
• Molecular Pharmacology II
• Neuropharmacology
• Research & Analytical Skills
• Cell Signalling
• Optional modules

Year 3:

• Mechanisms of Drug Action
• Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
• Medical Glycobiology
• Research Topics in Pharmacology
• Optional modules
The optional modules allow students to specialize in areas of particular interest, such as human parasitology, cancer biology, current topics in neuroscience, and tropical biology.

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• End-of-semester examinations (both online and open-book formats)
• Essays
• Extended research project
• Laboratory reports or experimental projects
• Literature reviews
• Oral presentations
• Portfolios
• Scientific posters
• Wikis

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Campus-based tutorials and workshops
• Case-based learning (CBL) tutorials
• Digital learning resources
• Independent study
• Laboratory practicals
• Live, online tutorials, workshops, and drop-in sessions

Careers:

Graduates of the Pharmacology BSc (Hons) program have a variety of career options available to them, including:

• Academic researcher
• Clinical scientist
• Medical writer
• Pharmacologist
• Secondary school teacher

Other:

The program also includes the following features:

• Industrial placements are available, enabling students to gain valuable experience in a real-world research or industrial environment.
• The opportunity to take part in a tropical biology field course in Malaysia.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the David Attenborough Laboratories, which have significantly expanded the School of Life Sciences' teaching and research areas.