PHARMACOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY BSc Honours
Course summary
Pharmacology and physiology are two closely related disciplines. Pharmacology is the study of drug action and how medicines may modify disease states. Physiology is concerned with how the body and its systems are controlled, and in the changes that lead to disease states (pathophysiology).
This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and other biomolecules at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular levels, and their uses as medicines for the treatment of disease. It provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, academia, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.
Opportunities exist for you to enhance your practical and related transferable skills within our research laboratories. Teaching is informed by high-quality research in relevant cognate areas, within the department.
In addition, new students will benefit from our use of the APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform, as an exciting novel teaching tool.
The Pharmacology and Physiology BSc will enable you to acquire a broad understanding of the normal and abnormal physiological function, including the biology of representative disease states.
You'll become proficient in explaining and applying information about the mode of therapeutic action, undesirable and toxic effects, absorption, distribution and elimination of exemplar drugs. You'll also develop the problem-solving skills and research strategies necessary to evaluate, critically appraise and systematically review pharmacology and physiology.
The learning and teaching strategies include a mixture of formal contact – such as large and small group lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory practical sessions and demonstrations – as well as independent work and online support activities.
Career development
Graduates of our Pharmacology and Physiology BSc can expect to acquire the core skills required for employment in a variety of settings. Typically, these might include careers in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, scientific writing, academia, the Scientific Civil Service, Clinical Research bodies and hospital departments.
The course also prepares students for further study (MSc, MRes, DPhil, PhD) and careers in academia.
Graduate employers
Graduate pharmacologists and physiologists have an excellent understanding of key bioscience and applied biomedical subjects, and are able to seek careers in:
- NHS and other healthcare bodies
- Pharmaceutical research and development
- Scientific journalism and copywriting
- Drug policy, regulation and pharmacovigilance
Job roles
The course prepares graduates for job roles including:
- Clinical trials associates
- Graduate research or management trainees in the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Teachers, with expertise in the teaching of the Biological Sciences (after successful completion of a suitable PG teaching qualification)
- Research scientists (following completion of study to MSc, MRes or PhD level)
Many of our graduates also progress to postgraduate education, research degrees and graduate entry medicine (including MSc, MPhil/PhD, MBBS)
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