Pharmacology
Coventry University
UCAS Code: BB92 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Coventry University
UCAS Code: BB92 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
to include Biology. Excludes General Studies.
Access to HE Diploma
The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Biology units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English, Mathematics and two Sciences.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
to include 5 points in Biology at Higher level.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
in a Biological Science subject.
Scottish Higher
to include Biology at Advanced Higher.
UCAS Tariff
[1] 4 qualifications for tariff points allowed (excluding General studies) [2] Must include 32 points or above in a Biological or Chemical Science based subject [3] May also include AS level and EPQ
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**On our Pharmacology BSc (Hons) degree you will further your understanding of how our bodies function in both health and disease from molecules and cells to whole organ systems.**
Successful completion of this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to contribute to current and emerging challenges in the understanding of drug actions and reactions and the development of new drugs to help fight disease.
- Not only will your studies focus on the investigation of how drugs are developed and their effects on living systems, but your studies will also take on a multidisciplinary approach incorporating aspects of human physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, underpinned by chemical principles.
- Upon successful completion, you will have the skills and knowledge to meet the demand for suitably trained professionals within the global pharmaceutical industry to expedite the critical task of translating basic laboratory medical research into technology and drugs that can be used to diagnose and treat patients.
- It is anticipated that on successful completion of this course you could have employment opportunities in a range of industries including pharmaceutical research and development roles, clinical trials, drug regulation and sales and marketing.
**Key Course Benefits**
- Hands-on experience for a wide range of laboratory techniques such as gene amplification using PCR, gene sequencing, cell culture, flow cytometry using real world applicable techniques and clinical simulations in our cutting edge Superlab.
- Extensive industry links (e.g. Biocity) and opportunities to spend a year in industry in the UK or overseas as a placement student*; past students have worked at John Radcliffe Hospital and companies like Binding Site, and in countries as far afield as Canada, Spain and the Netherlands.
- Our experienced research active teaching team have worked within cardiovascular and respiratory pharmacology, clinical toxicology, NHS pathology laboratories. Staff bring their professional and research expertise into their teaching through the use of contemporary clinical case studies as the basis for problem-based learning activities (staff may be subject to change).
- This course would be ideal for students who wish to pursue careers in integrative medical and pharmacological science or are interested in focusing on drug development.
- Following British Pharmacological Society (BPS) guidelines, this course is designed to give you a solid foundation in areas of biology that support an understanding of pharmacology.
*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website .
Modules
This course has a common first year.
The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.
If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).
Common first year courses
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)
Human Biosciences BSc (Hons)
Biological and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)
Year One
In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field. It provides underpinning knowledge, laboratory and data analysis skills relevant for Pharmacology. This shared approach allows you to appreciate a diversity of applications and roles for biosciences and to gain a broad topic understanding.
Modules
Human physiology: Homeostasis and Health - 20 credits
Genetics, Heredity and Evolution - 20 credits
Structure, Function and Analysis of Biomolecules - 20 credits
Cell Communication, Structure, and Function - 20 credits
The Microbial World - 20 credits
Applied Techniques in Biology - 20 credits
Year Two
In the second year there is a greater emphasis on the biology of disease. You will begin to specialise in pharmacology and related areas including physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and genetics.
Laboratory work is a key component of the course, enabling you to learn the experimental techniques and develop the key experimental, data handling and reporting skills required for careers in science. Practical sessions will introduce you to modern laboratory techniques and clinical approaches to diagnosing and treating disease, while your research skills are broadened to include an understanding of research methodology and design, medical statistics, and methods of data analysis.
Modules
Disease Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Pharmacology and Pathophysiology - 20 credits
Essential Techniques for Pharmacologists - 20 credits
Cell and Molecular Biology for Pharmacologists - 20 credits
Immunology and Inflammation - 20 credits
Research and professional skills development - 20 credits
Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.
If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.
Final Year
The final year of your course aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from Year one and two. You will also have the opportunity to carry out an independent research project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor.
Modules
Drug Discovery: Past, Present and Future - 20 credits
Toxicology, Addiction and Abuse - 20 credits
Cancer Biology and Therapeutics - 20 credits
Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Neuropharmacology - 20 credits
Research Design - 20 credits
Independent Project - 20 credits
For full module information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.
Assessment methods
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
Phase tests
Essays
Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Coursework
Individual Assignments
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.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Coventry University
School of Life Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Pharmacology
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Pharmacology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
As only a relatively small number of students study pharmacology or toxicology, these statistics refer most closely to the graduate prospects of pharmacy graduates, so bear that in mind when you review them. Only a handful of students take first degrees in pure toxicology every year — the subject is more popular at Masters level. Pharmacology is a degree that tends to lead to jobs in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and outcomes are improving again after a difficult time in the last few years. Jobs in pharmacology are often very specialist and so it’s no surprise that pharmacologists are amongst the most likely of all students to go on to a doctorate — if you want a job in research, start thinking about a PhD. As for pharmacy, unemployment rates are below 1% and 95% of pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly in retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses - employment rates have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Pharmacology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£24k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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