Pharmacology

Course detail Description

Pharmacology is the science of drugs and how they act, including the search for new drugs, investigations into how they can best be used to treat disease, and their effects on the body. Our wide-ranging Pharmacology BSc course has been designed to give you a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and chemicals, the way they work at the molecular, cellular and systems level and their use in medicines for the treatment of disease.

It is an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or general biomedical research and for graduate entry to Medicine. However, the course will also equip you with a range of transferrable skills, including data gathering, analysis and interpretation, presentation and team-work that are recognised and valued by employers in both the public and private sector across a variety of industries.

This course forms part of the suite of ‘Common Year 1’ course within the School of Bioscience Education. These comprise Anatomy, Developmental & Human Biology; Biochemistry; Biomedical Science; Medical Physiology; Molecular Genetics; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; Pharmacology & Molecular Genetics. Once you have successfully completed year one, you can choose to switch to any other course within this suite.

In Year 2, Pharmacology becomes the main focus of study. You can also choose to study abroad during Year 2 or apply to transfer onto a four-year MSci programme with a professional placement year in industry or academia. In your final year, as well as deepening your understanding of specialist pharmacological areas, you can also work in one of our state-of-the art research laboratories, investigating a diverse range of exciting topics including regulation of intracellular messengers in single cells, the effects of novel drugs in animal models of disease or the effects of drugs on human subjects.

Teaching

Teaching on this course takes place in lectures, seminars and tutorials and through practical laboratory work. The rest of your time will be spent on self-study, including reading, research and writing assignments.

Course Stage

Percentage of Time in Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities

Percentage of Time in Guided Independent Study

Percentage of Time on Placements

Year 1

25%

75%

-

Year 2

25%

75%

-

Year 3

23%

77%

-

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, examinations and practical observation.

Course Stage

Percentage of Assessment by Written Exams

Percentage of Assessment by Practical Exams

Percentage of Assessment by Cextra moursework

Year 1

78%

5%

17%

Year 2

52%

8%

40%

Year 3

55%

8%

37%

Studying abroad

You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for your second year at one of our partner universities, which currently include:

• The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden

• The University of Melbourne, Australia

• National University of Singapore

• The University of California

• The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

You may be required to fulfil additional entry requirements for this option.

Transfer to MSci

During year two, you can apply to transfer to the four-year MSci with Professional Placement Year. If successful, your placement may be in the UK or overseas, usually in a pharmaceutical company, a government research establishment or academic research institute.

Course accreditation

In recognition of its focus on research and academic excellence, our Pharmacology with extra-mural year BSc has been given Degree Accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology. Graduates of an accredited course can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after just one year of practice, rather than the usual three years. This will allow you to attain the qualifications of Chartered Biologist or Chartered Scientist two years earlier than graduates from other degree courses.

Regulating body

King’s College London is regulated by Office for Students.

Location

This course is primarily taught at our King’s College London Guy’s and Waterloo Campus, both on the South Bank of the Thames, putting you at the heart of everything London has to offer in terms of academic resources and also close to its social and entertainment attractions.

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Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits.

This is a three-year course based a combination of required and optional modules. Each year you will study modules to a total of 120 credits.

There are options to switch to any other course in the Bioscience suite after year one. You can also choose to study abroad during Year 2 or apply to transfer onto a four-year MSci programme with a professional placement year in industry or academia.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

• Biochemistry (15 credits)

• Chemistry for the Biosciences (15 credits)

• Genetics & Molecular Biology (15 credits)

• Cell Biology & Neuroscience (15 credits)

• Fundamentals of Physiology & Anatomy (30 credits)

• Fundamentals of Pharmacology (15 credits)

• Skills for the Biosciences (15 credits)

Optional Modules

There are no optional modules for this course in Year 1.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. We suggest that you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Year 2 You will have the opportunity to study abroad for your second year at one of our partner universities, as well as take an extra-mural year. See the course description for more information. Required Modules

You are required to take:

• Drugs & Disease B (30 credits)

• Drug Discovery & Development (15 credits)

• Physiology & Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System (15 credits)

• Research Skills in Pharmacology (30 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 30 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Animal Models of Disease and Injury (15 credits)

• Endocrinology & Reproduction (15 credits)

• Tissue Pathology (15 credits)

• Psychology (15 credits)

• Gene Cloning & Expression A (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. We suggest that you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Year 3

During year two, you can apply to transfer to the a four-year MSci with Professional Placement Year. If successful, placement may be in the UK or overseas, usually in a pharmaceutical company, a government research establishment or academic research institute.

Upon returning to King’s, students who successfully complete their placement year complete Year 4 at Masters level.

Required Modules

You are required to take one of the following modules:

• Cell & Molecular Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Cellular Basis of Drug Dependence (30 credits)

You are also required to take one of the following options:

• Pharmacology Research Project (30 credits)

• Pharmacology Library Project (15 credits)

• Project Design in Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Extended Pharmacology Research Project (45 credits)

Year 3 of MSci with Professional Placement Year

If you transfer to the four year MSci, you are required to undertake the following modules by distance learning.

• Workplace Skills Assessment & Review (15 credits)

• Workplace Project Report (15 credits)

• Dissertation (60 Credits)

• Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relations (30 Credits)

Optional Modules

You are also required to select from other pharmacology modules to bring your total for the year to at least 90 credits. These may typically include:

• Cardiovascular Pharmacology (15 credits)

• Experimental Cardiovascular Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Pharmacology of Inflammation (15 credits)

• Experimental Pharmacology of Inflammation (30 credits)

• Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders (15 credits)

• Drug Safety & Toxicology (30 credits)

There are no optional modules for the Year 3 MSci course.

Year 4

Students who have transferred to the MSci and have successfully completed their placement years will complete Year 4 at Masters level.

Required Modules Year 4 - MSci

You are required to take:

Analysis & Communication in Pharmacology (advanced) (15 credits)

Optional Modules Year 4 - MSci

You are also required to take sufficient credits to bring your total for the year to 120, from optional modules, which may typically include:

• Cell and Molecular Pharmacology (advanced) (30 credits)

• Experimental Cardiovascular Pharmacology (advanced) (30 credits)

• Experimental Pharmacology of Inflammation (advanced) (30 credits)

• Cardiovascular Pharmacology (advanced) (15 credits)

• Pharmacology of Inflammation (advanced) (15 credits)

• Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders (advanced) (15 credits)

• Project Design in Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Pharmacology Research Project (advanced) (30-credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.