Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutics is the science of medicine design. This MSc was introduced in direct response to the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for highly skilled formulation scientists capable of taking promising new drug candidates and developing them into world-class medicines. Graduates of this programme are highly competitive in the global jobs market.

This programme provides education in the science of successful medicine design, development and manufacture and students acquire the key skills needed to pursue a career in industrial product development or a research career in the design of drug delivery systems. Particular emphasis is placed on developing research skills.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

• Analysis and Quality Control
• Preformulation
• Formulation of Small Molecules
• Personalised Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Optional modules

• Clinical Pharmaceutics
• Nanomedicine
• Formulation of Natural Products and Cosmeceuticals
• Initiating a Pharmaceutical Start-Up

Dissertation/report

All students undertake a research project which is the major component of this MSc programme and culminates in a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars as well as industrial visits. Assessment is through a combination of written examinations, coursework assignments and a research project.

A second-class UK Bachelor's degree or higher in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, physical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, biotechnology, pharmaceutics or a related field in the life or physical sciences, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.