Pharmacology

The MSc Pharmacology program at Glasgow Caledonian University provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the field of pharmacology, preparing them for careers in healthcare, research, and the pharmaceutical industry. This advanced degree is designed to explore the mechanisms of drug action, development, and therapeutic applications, equipping graduates with a deep understanding of how drugs interact with biological systems. Throughout the course, students will study essential topics such as molecular and cellular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, toxicology, and clinical pharmacology, alongside modules focusing on research methodologies, data analysis, and ethical considerations in pharmacological research. The program emphasizes a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on laboratory experience, enabling students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in scientific and medical careers. Modules are delivered by experienced academic staff with expertise in various areas of pharmacology, ensuring that students receive high-quality education aligned with current scientific developments. The program also offers opportunities for independent research projects, allowing students to investigate specific areas of interest in greater depth and contribute to ongoing research initiatives at the university. Graduates of the MSc Pharmacology program are well-prepared for employment in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, healthcare settings, and regulatory agencies, or for further academic study at the doctoral level. The university’s supportive learning environment, combined with state-of-the-art laboratories and resources, fosters an enriching educational experience that aims to produce highly skilled professionals capable of making significant contributions to the field of pharmacology and medicine globally.

Detailed Course Facts

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Course Content

Year 1
Trimester 1 2
Chemistry
Mathematics & Statistics of Experimentation
Trimester 1
Cell Structure & Function
Physiology A
Practical Skills for Biosciences 1
Trimester 2
Cells & Biomolecules
Introductory Genetics
Practical Skills for Biosciences 2
Year 2
Trimester 1
Cellular Metabolism & Regulation
Introduction to Microbiology
Physiology B
Trimester 2
Fundamental Cell Biology
Immunology
Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences
The Microbial World
Year 3
Trimester 1
Essential Molecular Biology
Fundamentals of Drug Action
Systematic & Cellular Pathology
Trimester 2
Pharmacology of Chemical Mediators
Cellular Signalling & Trafficking
Human Development & Aging
Year 4
Trimester 1 2
Honours Projects & Molecular Biology Workshops
Trimester 1
Biology of Disease
Pharmacology Special Topics
Trimester 2
Pathophysiology & Therapeutics
Toxicology

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods are designed to produce graduates with a balanced knowledge and understanding of all branches of the subject and to allow our students to become enquiring, independent learners exhibiting high levels of professionalism.
Half of our assessment is practically based, providing hands-on laboratory skills and experience of data handling and presentation which not only makes our programme distinctive but also attractive to employers seeking to find graduates with the necessary skills and competencies in the global marketplace.

Teaching Methods

We adopt a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure not only that our students will gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of food bioscience but also develop their intellectual and personal skills.
Our programmes take a flexible approach, combining larger scale interactive lectures with small group sessions examining case studies and honing data analysis and presentation skills. Laboratory based practical classes are central to our teaching, allowing our students to gain exposure to the rigour and demands of scientific investigation.
Our Level 2 students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in our international exchange programme at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Our students focus on developing core laboratory skills as the basis of practical work in their initial two years, leading to more advanced practical laboratory skills training by Level Three. In their final year, our students undertake a specialist molecular biology workshop in addition to an individual lab based project. All of our laboratory work takes place in our recently refurbished suite of teaching and research laboratories.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 60(Grade C)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• Higher: BBBC
• A-Level: BCC
• ILC: BBC/BCCC at Higher grade
• Essential Subjects: Higher Chemistry and Maths (S) - Credit/Intermediate grade 2.
• Recommended Subjects: Biology (or Human Biology), English, Mathematics at Higher Grade.
• Additional Requirements: Applicants are invited for interview to one of our Biorama evenings (applicants living further than a 50 mile radius from the university can make alternative arrangements). Visit our website for more details.

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements, international students where English is not the first language require an IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Glasgow Caledonian University.

Accreditation

There is no professional accreditation for degrees in pharmacology but the content of this programme has been designed to follow the guidelines set out by the British Pharmacological Society. Honours student are encouraged to engage with the society www.bps.ac.uk. and undergraduate membership is available to students working on a pharmacological topic until the completion of their degree.