Overview
Pharmacology is an exciting discipline which studies how drugs work. Pharmacologists also play a vital role in the discovery of new medicines.
On our BSc (Hons) Pharmacology course, you'll learn how drugs alter our bodies, from pain relief to cancer treatments. If you are interested in biology, chemistry or life sciences this could be the course for you.
Our course emphasises hands-on learning, involving a high proportion of practical work, including a five-day molecular biology workshop. This brings together theory and practice, equipping you with the laboratory skills employers are looking for.
As well as practical skills, our curriculum is designed to inspire and prepare you to make a positive change on a local, national and global scale. Your learning will draw on current research and explore the development of new medicines. You’ll also have opportunities to contribute to projects with real scientific relevance and to communicate your work through research and conference presentations.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and professional laboratory skills to progress into a wide range of careers in pharmacology and beyond.
Why study Pharmacology at GCU?
- Learn from industry professionals as life science companies contribute to teaching through guest lectures and interactive discussion sessions.
- GCU is a member of the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF). Our laboratories hold LEAF bronze and silver awards for sustainability and reduced carbon emissions.
- If you want a course that’s genuinely hands-on, this degree has a strong practical focus. Learn through extensive laboratory work and an intensive five-day molecular biology workshop.
- Founded at GCU, the Glasgow Pharmacological Society connects students and staff across three universities, hosting seminars and British Pharmacological Society events.
What you will study
We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.
The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.
Core modules
Understanding core and optional modules
The core modules shown are based on the standard full-time route for students entering Year 1 of the course. If you study full time from Year 1, you will normally study the outlined core modules for each year of the course.
Optional modules provide opportunities to tailor your studies. You will not normally study every optional module shown and will be asked to select from the available options during your studies. Information about available options and the module selection process will be provided after you enrol. Please note that the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and is subject to factors including student demand, timetabling, staffing and academic requirements.
The module information shown is based on the standard full-time route through the course. If you study through an alternative entry or study route, including part-time study or Advanced Entry, the modules you take in each year and the order in which you study them may vary.
Careers
A degree in pharmacology opens doors to a wide range of careers, from researching new treatments to pharmaceutical sales and marketing. Pharmacologists even work for NASA, studying how medicines work in outer space.
The UK drug industry employs 126,000 people and contributes £17.6 billion to the economy (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry).
Typical career paths for our graduates include:
- academic research
- research and development in the pharmaceutical industry
- pharmaceutical manufacturing
- sales and marketing of medicines or laboratory equipment
- clinical research associate (involved in organising clinical trials)
- science communication/journalism
- teaching
- monitoring and licensing of medicines
- regulatory affairs
- finance and business.
Course information
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Download the programme specification
In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus of their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.
Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.
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