MSci in Integrated Pharmacology and Physiology for Research
Programme Overview
The M.Sci in Integrated Pharmacology and Physiology for Research has been developed in response to an Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and Biosciences Federation skills survey that concluded the pharmaceutical industry required graduates with a practical knowledge of integrated physiology and pharmacology that cannot currently be taught at a normal undergraduate level. This is a particular skills set that is fundamental to understanding the characteristics of drug actions. The programme is run by the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics with partners from the pharmaceutical industry. Our aim is to produce graduates that have a strong foundation in experimental approaches and problem solving at the level of the whole organism. We will provide training in integrative physiology/pharmacology and safety sciences to facilitate you gaining relevant employment in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries or to put you in a very strong position to be awarded a CASE funded Ph.D that requires specialized training within academia.
Distinctive Features
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Provide intensive practical training in major organism based experimental techniques and knowledge to facilitate gaining relevant employment in the pharmaceutical/biotech industries or in academia.
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The programme benefits from having direct input from industry, with industry representatives providing specialized lectures and workshops.
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Introduction to state-of-the-art research techniques on visits to specialised centres.
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Provide the experience of an extended period of research (6 months) with either an industrial partner or leading academic research centre.
Career Prospects
The M.Sci degree provides the opportunity for advanced study and is co-funded by partner companies (for example: GSK, Novartis, UCB-Celltech, Huntingdon Life Sciences). These links will ensure that you are well suited to take up such opportunities in the marketplace, having learnt techniques that industry/academia require.
Programme Details
Mode and Duration
3+1 year full time, September to July. This means you will have already completed the first 3 years of either B.Sc. Pharmacology/ Physiology/ or Biomedical Sciences, and will complete a final (4th) year. However, you will graduate with an M.Sci rather than a B.Sc.
Entry requirements
Entry to this degree programme will be by transfer from established B.Sc programmes (e.g. Pharmacology, Physiology, Biomedical Sciences) where the modules selected by the applicant are consistent with the requirements of the MSci. You will have demonstrated attainment for a 2:1 degree during your first 2 years.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0
TOEFL 250/600/100 (computer/paper/internet)
To follow our programmes successfully, you must have a good command of English and be able to apply this in an academic environment. For more information on our requirements and King’s English Language Centre, please visit www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/apply/langreq
Programme structure
The course is split into 4 modules, with a mixture of lectures, interactive sessions, student led seminars, hands-on practicals, and an extended research project.
Principles of In Vivo Pharmacology
This module will be given by experts from within different KCL departments, and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. This is designed to provide you with:
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Confidence in designing, and implementing complex experiments used to measure physiological parameters under an ethical framework.
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An in depth and systematic knowledge of the necessary design features for safety pharmacology, toxicology, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics.
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A critical appreciation of, and ability to manage issues when moving from cell/tissuebased assays to studies involving the whole organism.
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Expertise in evaluating the properties of a drug and of mechanisms associated with development as an effective therapeutic.
Characterising Novel Pharmacology in Animal Models
This module has been designed as interactive sessions so that you gain in-depth knowledge and the ability to critically evaluate current experimental techniques/preparations/models across key disease areas such as inflammation, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, pain, diabetes, obesity, behavioral, and neuro-degeneration. You will gain an understanding of the practical challenges of creating disease models that have to be overcome. You will thus gain a deeper insight into why particular models are chosen and importantly, how successful they have been in predicting efficacy or failure of drug candidates in phase II/III clinical trials.
Experimental Integrative Pharmacology and Physiology
A fundamental element of the course will be hands-on experience of complex experimental techniques. You will be given the opportunity to build up essential skills and confidence across key disease areas such as inflammation, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, pain, diabetes, obesity, behavioral, and neuro-degeneration. Where possible, invasive recording techniques will be introduced so that you gain competence in recording of physiological parameters in real time, understand artifactual and background signals, and use online computation methods. You will experience and/or observe more advanced techniques or preparations via organised group visits to external establishments, for example GSK, HLS.
Extended Research Project in Integrated Pharmacology and Physiology
Ultimately, your placement is the ‘raison d’être’ of the M.Sci programme. This 6 month placement project is designed to allow ‘first hand’ training and experience in state-of-the-art facilities. The industrial partner or academic research centre will create and fund a long term research project within their own laboratories. You will be placed under direct supervision of a mentor employed by the external body, as well as being paired with your KCL tutor to ensure your progression throughout the project.
Assessment
Assessment will be conducted using a combination of exam short answer questions, oral exams, reflective timed essays, evaluated course coursework, and written reports on practicals. The 6 month project will be appraised via a number of methods to ensure your progress is fairly evaluated and to encourage your continual development. Because this is an integrated Masters, your previous 3 years marks will be weighted into the final M.Sci degree. This will follow the standard weighting for a KCL M.Sci degree:
Marks of best 120 credits at level 7 given a weighting of 7
Marks for remaining level 7 credits and all level 6 credits given a weighting of 5
Marks of all level 5 credits given a weighting of 3
Marks of all level 4 credits given a weighting of 1
More Information?
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
Programme organisers: clive.page@kcl.ac.uk and simon.pitchford@kcl.ac.uk
Head of Pharmacology and Therapeutics: sue.brain@kcl.ac.uk
Dean of Undergraduate Studies: ian.mcfadzean@kcl.ac.uk
How do I Apply?
Simply fill in the application form, together with your C.V. and names of two references (one should be your personal tutor and one should be a tutor you have carried out an extramural year/experimental project) to simon.pitchford@kcl.ac.uk and keith.newton@kcl.ac.uk