Program Overview
The Preclinical Science short course from King's College London provides a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacy. Through lectures, workshops, and syndicate work, students learn to apply these principles to drug discovery and development, analyze preclinical data, and design preclinical studies. The program prepares graduates for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, and other related fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Preclinical Science
This short course, offered by the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science at King's College London, delves into the three main areas of pre-clinical science: pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacy. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to product development plans, understand clinical trial design, and create risk management plans.
Objectives:
- Understand the role of preclinical testing in drug development.
- Apply principles of pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacy to drug discovery and development.
- Analyze and interpret preclinical data.
- Design and conduct preclinical studies.
- Communicate effectively about preclinical science.
Description:
The program uses a combination of lectures, workshops, and syndicate work to provide a comprehensive understanding of preclinical science. Students work in syndicates to select a new asthma medicine for development and then take it through the preclinical development program, encountering problems that encourage them to apply their learnings and overcome complex obstacles.
Outline:
Content:
- Pharmacology: basic principles, animal models (including transgenic models), drug candidate selection, preclinical safety testing, critical information in toxicology reports.
- Toxicology: regulatory requirements, study design, interpretation of results, molecular and cellular basis of toxic reactions.
- Pharmacy: pharmaceutical sciences, formulation choice, stability testing, scale-up, impact on clinical trials.
Structure:
- 5-day intensive program
- Scheduled course dates to be confirmed
Modules:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacy
Module Descriptions:
- Pharmacology: covers the basic principles of pharmacology, the use of animal models in drug discovery and development, and how pharmacological studies inform the selection of drug candidates and the importance of preclinical safety testing.
- Toxicology: focuses on the regulatory requirements for toxicology studies, how to design and conduct these studies, and how to interpret the results. It also explores the molecular and cellular basis of toxic reactions.
- Pharmacy: delves into the pharmaceutical sciences, including formulation choice, stability testing, scale-up, and how these issues can impact a clinical trial program.
Assessment:
Assessment methods:
- Continuous assessment through workshops and syndicate work
- Final written assignment
Assessment criteria:
- Understanding of key concepts in preclinical science
- Ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
Teaching:
Teaching methods:
- Lectures by subject experts
- Workshops and syndicate activities
- Case studies and problem-solving exercises
Faculty:
- Experienced academics and industry professionals with expertise in preclinical science
Unique approaches:
- Syndicate work to apply learnings to real-world scenarios
- Problem-solving exercises to develop critical thinking skills
Careers:
Potential career paths:
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Regulatory agencies
- Contract research organizations
- Academic research
Career opportunities:
- Drug discovery scientist
- Clinical research associate
- Toxicologist
- Regulatory affairs specialist
Career outcomes:
- Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in the pharmaceutical industry and related fields. They have the knowledge and skills to make significant contributions to the development of new medicines.
Other:
- Minimum entry requirements: medical degree or 2:1 first degree in a relevant subject.
- Suitable for industry physicians, medical affairs personnel, and regulatory affairs personnel.
