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Pharmacology and Drug Discovery MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
This master’s course aims to provide the training and development necessary to meet the demand for highly skilled scientists within the expanding and global bioscience sector.
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
18-20 months (with professional experience)
Course code
HLST178, HLST179 (with Professional Experience)
Start date
May 2024
Course overview
The course has been designed to respond to the increasing demand for professional pharmacologists, essential to speed up the critical task of translating basic laboratory medical research into commercially ready medical biotechnology and drugs for diagnosing and treating patients.
- As well as relevant biotechnical innovations associated with pharmacology and drug discovery, classical clinical trial design and health outcomes research, the course also encompasses an emerging area of science that is known as ‘Translational Medicine’.
- Translational medicine requires a new breed of pharmacologist who can apply basic science knowledge and skills to experimental study design, management and data analysis, and who understands the legislation and other regulatory procedures surrounding disease treatment. Our course is designed to provide such specialists by applying basic and clinical science to topics including diagnosis, understanding and treatment of disease, supported by our excellent staff, research expertise and laboratory facilities.
- Core subject areas include cellular molecular biology, genetics, protein biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, numeracy, statistics and computing and a range of practical laboratory techniques.
- You can choose to study the course ‘with Professional Experience’ which includes a placement experience2.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge industry techniques. We provide practical experience in both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. You will be trained in pharmacology research strategies and you should gain an understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, opportunities for innovation, and regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues.
- Research-inspired teaching from an experienced academic team with extensive experience of laboratory research in pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, small-molecular inhibitors of viruses and ageing, as well as input from experts in our Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences research centre.
- Regular guest lectures from current practitioners in the pharmacology industry, laboratory research and other areas of science including pharmacology, drug design and development and clinical trials (subject to availability).
- A focus on developing laboratory and other scientific skills, so laboratory sessions form a substantial component of the learning experience, enabling you to learn key experimental techniques and to develop essential experimental, data handling and reporting skills required in biological and other careers. Other skills, such as literature researching, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics are integrated within the course.
- Our practical, vocational approach to teaching has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction among ‘Biology and related Sciences’ students – 96% overall in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2022.
The MSc with Professional Experience2 provides you with the opportunity to undertake a six-month professional experience either on or off campus. Professional experience opportunities (whether within an external company or within the university) are subject to a competitive application and selection process. Such experiences may be paid or unpaid, and this will depend on what is being offered and agreed with the host organisation or university.
Professional experience opportunities are subject to competitive application and selection, will normally be undertaken for three to five days per week for 18-22 weeks over two semesters. If you are not successful in securing professional work experience outside the university, you will have the opportunity to undertake campus-based professional experience, which will deliver similar learning outcomes through supervised projects and activities designed to offer students the opportunity to integrate theory with an understanding of professional practice. Please note that fees for students on the Professional Experience route are higher than the standard fees payable by students on the MSc course without professional experience (see fees section for more information).
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
Chartered Management Institute
As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found under the module section and on the Professional Development module homepage.
Our Award-winning Green Superlab
With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.
What you'll study
This master’s course is designed to expand your knowledge of the pharmacological, molecular, biochemical, cell biological and genetic techniques underpinning modern pharmacology and drug discovery and how they can be used to solve real world problems and benefit society.
We provide hands-on practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. You will be trained in pharmacology research strategies and gain an understanding of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, opportunities for innovation, and regulatory requirement constraints, intellectual property and ethical issues.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Teaching and learning incorporates lectures, workshops, tutorials, presentations and practical laboratory sessions, all supported by an extensive suite of analytical and biological laboratories staffed by experienced technicians. In addition, each module is supported by extensive online material to help prepare you for your taught sessions and to assist with your personal study.
Where possible, coursework uses applied tasks that mimic the skills needed in jobs to help ensure you are attractive to future employers, such as oral and poster presentations, and the collection and interpretation of laboratory data culminating in a detailed report. We try to organise industry visits and also offer the opportunity to apply for internships2, which have led to previous students spending time with companies such as Inocardia, Severn Trent Water and Lytegro.
You will receive a series of lectures and seminars on selected contemporary topics in pharmacology and drug discovery, delivered by university teaching, research staff and invited speakers from other universities, research institutes, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries (subject to availability).
This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
Teaching contact hours
In a typical teaching week, you will have around 15 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as approximately 3 hours of laboratory sessions and 12 hours of lectures, workshops and tutorials each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 25 hours of self-directed study each week e.g. working on coursework assignments.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Practical or project work
- Critical reviews of literature
- Oral, poster and leaflet presentations
- Data analytical exercises.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
International experience opportunities
The university is committed to providing a global educational experience2, which is reflected throughout the teaching experience. This course typically attracts students from across the world, who are seeking to improve their scientific and laboratory skills in pharmacology, using British standard equipment and gaining extensive practical laboratory time. As such, you’re likely to find yourself part of a multicultural learning environment, working alongside students who will share their own professional and personal experiences.
You will benefit from being taught by a diverse range of staff with different international experiences. Some modules have external speakers who have an international research background (subject to availability).
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) | Not available |
| EU | £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary** £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
The Alison Gingell Building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and in vitro experimental testing as well as cell culture facilities, organ baths to investigate in vitro models using tissue, and molecular biology facilities and equipment4.
SuperLab
Our state-of-the-art SuperLab can hold up to 250 students at one time and has equipment that allows you to gain skills and experience with techniques and equipment that you will encounter in your graduate careers including biosafety hoods, flow cytometers and DNA sequencers.
Analytical Chemistry suite
This is where you can apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-life working scenarios. We use a new generation chromatography technique to analyse products ranging from pharmaceutical agents, to cosmetics, drinks and toxins.
Careers and opportunities
This master’s aims to produce scientists who can pursue a range of careers including academic, commercial, industrial and healthcare applications of pharmacology. It also provides an excellent foundation for those wishing to undertake research at PhD level.
If you choose the extended ‘With Professional Experience’ route, you will have the opportunity to gain substantive professional experience and have the option of applying for an internship with a host of different organisations or participate in supervised, campus-based projects2. Internships have previously been organised with, for example, Cambridge Scientific Solutions, Lytegro, Warwick Ventures, Tickle’s Pickles and Severn Trent.
The programme is specifically designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required for a career within the pharmacology and drug development arena and there may be many opportunities, both the UK and internationally.
A large number of pharmacologists are employed by companies in the pharmaceutical industry, where they are involved in discovering and developing drugs and carrying out clinical trials. Pharmacologists may also work for contract research organisations (CROs) or academic departments within universities on research projects. There may also be opportunities within government laboratories (including environmental agencies), charity-funded research organisations, such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), and with other research institutes.
The scientific knowledge and skills you should acquire upon successful completion of this course can also be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing (such as medical writing or writing for the media); clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services, regulatory affairs or sales and marketing.
How to apply
UK students
International students
Disclaimers
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