Pharmacology Intercalated BSc

Course detail Description

This one-year course offers an accelerated programme of learning covering the development and testing of therapeutic drugs and their clinical application.

Pharmacologists play an important role in discovering these new drugs and conducting preclinical research to assess their efficacy.

Clinical pharmacology is key to translating these discoveries into new treatments for patients so that they can benefit from improvements in drug efficacy and side effect profile.

Our course offers a wide range of options and you are strongly encouraged to undertake an experimental project. We offer a variety of projects, principally in the fields of inflammation, smooth muscle pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, neuropharmacology and receptor pharmacology. ‘Project Design in Pharmacology’ is a non-laboratory based project in which you develop a proposal for the development of a novel medicine. There are also a wide range of library projects.

Members of the Pharmacology Department at King’s include world-renowned experts in a number of research fields including Parkinson’s disease, asthma, inflammation and cardiovascular pharmacology. We have close links with pharmaceutical companies some of whose staff contribute to teaching on a number of our courses. In addition, several members of staff hold senior positions within the British Pharmacological Society.

In the National Student Survey 2018, Pharmacology was rated 94% for overall student satisfaction.

On completion of your intercalated Pharmacology BSc, you will have developed a richer understanding of how pharmacology plays a central role in the development of drugs designed to alleviate suffering and enhance the quality of life of your patients.

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical work. The programme also requires a significant element of self-study.

Course Stage

Percentage of Time in Scheduled
Learning and Teaching Activities

Percentage of Time in
Guided Independent Study

Percentage of Time
on Placements

Intercalated year

23%

77%

-

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.

Course stage

Percentage of Assessment by Written Exams

Percentage of Assessment by Practical Exams

Percentage of Assessment
by Coursework

Intercalated year

29%

5%

66%

Regulating body

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

Location

This course is taught at our Guy’s and Waterloo Campuses, 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.

See our full list of intercalated courses here.

Read more

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

You are required to take 30 credits from the following modules:

• Cell & Molecular Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Cellular Basis of Drug Dependence (30 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

• Drug Safety & Toxicology (30 credits)

• Pharmacology Library Project (15 credits)

• 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)

• Project Design in Pharmacology (30 credits)

• Pharmacology Research Project (30 credits)

• Extended Pharmacology Research Project (45 credits)

Since drug discovery involves experimental studies, and to fully appreciate what Pharmacology has to offer, we strongly advise you to choose at least one module that involves some experimental work, especially if you decide not to take an experimental research project.

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.