Pharmacy

Course outline

The first year develops your knowledge of the basic scientific principles underpinning pharmacy. You will apply this knowledge to the dispensary and patient-based case studies to develop your patient-centred skills.

The second year extends your understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences - the chemistry of different drug
groups, their formulation into medicines, the pathology of major diseases and the pharmacological basis of therapeutics.

The third year completes your study of applied pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. You will learn how drugs can be delivered to the body, and how medicines are prepared and reach the market.

The theme of the final year is pharmaceutical practice. It focuses upon the clinical use of medicines and the use of medicines for individual patients. You will also complete an extended research project.

Subject guide & modules

Year 1

In the first year, you will develop the scientific knowledge which provides a basis for the pharmaceutical industry. You also start applying your knowledge to clinical situations that you might encounter in a community pharmacy.

Year 2

The second year builds upon your understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences and your clinical pharmacy skills.

Year 3
In the third stage you will complete your study of pharmacology and therapeutics, of medicinal chemistry and of dispensing law and ethics.

Final Year

In your final year you will use and extend all the knowledge and skills you have developed in the previous years. You will develop confidence in applying your pharmaceutical knowledge to maximise individual patient benefit from treatment. You will also consider wider aspects of pharmacy such as evidence-based medicine and pharmaceutical public health.

Learning, teaching & assessment

The course recognises different learning styles and provides a variety of learning opportunities, including

• Lectures

• Practical sessions

• Interactive workshops and tutorials

• Hospital and other clinical/practice placements

• Group work and problem-based learning

• Self-study courses

• Computer-Aided Learning (CAL) e.g. clinical patient simulations.

A wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes are also employed, including

• Examinations

• Portofolio

• Essays

• Practical reports

• Project work

• Computer based assessment.

• Interactive clinical examinations (OSCEs)

You will be continuously assessed through the four-year courser – contributing to 40% of your final grade.

Placements

Each year of the course includes structured practise-based placements in local hospitals, clinics or pharmacies. These will provide you with invaluable professional experience.

Please note that students who enter placements in the NHS may be required to pay for CRB checks and occupational health checks.

Professional accreditation

Our programme is accredited by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain for entry to their pre-registration programme leading to registration as a pharmacist.

Career prospects

Our degree programme has been specifically designed for employability in all areas of pharmacy – community, Primary Care Trusts, hospitals and industry. Aston’s long-established reputation and professional accreditation ensure that career prospects are first-class. For example, in 2007/8, 100% of our graduates gained graduate-level employment and pre-registration pharmacist places across the UK within six months of graduation. Major employers were Boots, Lloyds, Sainsbury’s and hospital-based pharmacies.