Course Summary
After half a century of studying drugs and how their application affects the prevention and treatment of disease, we’re now celebrating the landmark 50th anniversary of our pharmacology teaching and research at UEL.
Not only are we sure we’ve never been better, but we think our future’s never been more exciting.
A new, revamped course will equip you for a rewarding future in what our prize-winning, internationally recognised lecturers believe is the most fascinating of the biosciences.
We’ll give you a thorough introduction to every area of pharmacology through our diverse and flexible approach. You’ll also leave with a thorough understanding of areas such as molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics and toxicology.
You’ll be in the lab learning pharmacological techniques that will back up your lectures and demonstrate how medicines work.
You’ll be involved in groundbreaking research projects and have access to excellent work opportunities. This could be in the form of an optional placement year or a shorter summer placement at a major organisation such as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or in our own labs working with our internationally recognised researchers.
Don't just take our work for it, take a look at our video of some of our former students here
Also, if you want to find out more about Pharmacology, have a look at the British Pharmacological Society videos here.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
We’ve made this an up-to-date yet still classical pharmacology course, and one which employers will recognise for the quality of the graduates it delivers.
As with our other bioscience degrees, the first year provides a solid, general background in biochemistry, human anatomy, cell biology and genetics. This uniform approach means you can still transfer to another degree course at the start of your second year should you wish.
Second-year students learn the fundamental pharmacological concepts, drug discovery and development as well as advanced biochemistry and disease processes. In your third year, you’ll examine pharmacological treatment for diseases of the nervous system and other organ systems as well as toxicology.
One of the strengths of BSc Pharmacology at the University of East London is the emphasis we place on emerging therapeutic strategies and research opportunities. It means you can undertake a fascinating and significant lab-based research project in your final year.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
Our course is demanding but enjoyment is always at its heart. “We’ve massively improved and increased our labs and brought in innovative teaching and problem-based learning,” says Dr Michael Seed, a Reader in Pharmacology.
“Our students sent us a card last year saying ‘thank-you so much for looking after us and making pharmacology so much fun’. The whole idea is fun!”
Dr Seed and course leader Dr Samir Ayoub (Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and himself a former pharmacology student at UEL) are brilliant as well as entertaining. The BPS recognised this by awarding them the 2014 Rang Prize for excellence in pharmacological teaching. They're both active in pharmacology research.
They want you to be as enthused about the subject as they are and you'll have the opportunity to work with them on key research projects.
For instance, Dr Seed and a colleague submitted a case report to the British Medical Journal for a simple drug which has been dramatically helping sufferers of Loin Pain Haematuria Syndrome, a condition often said to cause the worst pain known to humankind. His UEL students have been helping his research into this dreadful condition.
We want you to become integrated in the pharmacology world and encourage you to join the BPS. You’ll help out, be a delegate and sometimes even present your work at BPS conferences.
You’ll also hear from distinguished guest lecturers organised by our student Pharmacological Society. Recent speakers include Professor Humphrey Rang FRS, President of the BPS and author of our core textbook Pharmacology, and Professor David Nutt, the controversial former government 'drugs czar' who told us, “Pharmacology is the queen of bioscience.” We agree.
Each year you will spend up to 240 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 180 Hours – Taught Sessions, 60 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 2: 185 Hours – Taught Sessions, 55 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 3: 188 Hours – Taught Sessions, 52 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Who will teach on this course
Dr Samir Ayoub
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Our course is geared towards thinking about your future, especially with its work placements and other opportunities for work experience.
The story of Suman Gurung gives an idea of how our course can kick-start your career. He was one of 13 of our students over the past two years awarded a BPS bursary worth £2,000 to attend an intensive, one-week residential research techniques course.
Suman's excellent final-year stem cell research project, conducted with course leader Dr Ayoub, helped earn him first-class honours degree. He then landed a job at a cosmetics company working on stem cell therapies for baldness.
And he’s far from the only one. Hilda Bellony had her research work presented at the BPS meeting and is now a healthcare scientist at Imperial College Hospital aiming for an MSc and then to become a clinical scientist. Veronica Franklin’s placement with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has led to a permanent job with them.
Our annual career conferences have been a source of inspiration, encouragement and valuable information and advice for pharmacology students. These events include talks by alumni pharmacology students, employers and recruitment agencies.
Your degree will leave you well placed to take up a research post, maybe at a university or in a research institute, to enter the exciting field of drug discovery. You’ll also be able to apply for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine as a graduate.
How you'll be assessed
We’ll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project. Most of the assessment in your first year is by coursework and we’ll give you as much feedback as possible.
In your third year, you’ll either take five core modules or undertake a work placement. We’ll assess you accordingly.
Year 1 – 58% Portfolio/Coursework, 42% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
Year 2 – 35% Portfolio/Coursework 32% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 25% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 8% Group Project/Presentation
Year 3 – 57% Portfolio/Coursework, 28% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 10% Case Study/PBL, 5% Group Project/Presentation
WITH THE FOUNDATION YEAR
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree, you can study this course as an ‘extended’ four-year programme. You’ll begin with a foundation year, which will prepare you for a successful transition to the degree course a year later.
By the end of the degree you’ll gain the same qualification as those obtaining direct entry to the course but you’ll take one year longer to complete your studies.
Academic & Communication Skills (core)
Essential Maths & ICT (core)
Human Biology (core)
Chemistry of Life (core)
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