Biopharmaceuticals provides pharmacists and other chemical and life science graduates with scientific knowledge and expertise in the areas of biopharmaceutical discovery and development required for a career in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, research institutes or regulatory authorities. Four taught modules and a six month research project.
KEY BENEFITS
- A programme of study in London focused on the discovery and development of biopharmaceuticals, therapeutic peptides, protein, monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acids.
- Links with the pharmaceutical industry in terms of visiting lecturers and site visits.
- A six month research project.
- Combined teaching with the MSc Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical Analysis & Quality Control programmes provides a broad education in the pharmaceutical sciences and allows student flexibility.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Recent graduates have gone on to take PhD studies; to work in R&D laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry and Biopharmaceutical Industry (including Pfizer, GSK and Novartis); or small Biotech companies. Overseas students have returned to similar positions in their home countries.
Programme leader/s
Dr Sukhi Bansal
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, two years PT (one day per week), September to September.
Location
Waterloo Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Department of Pharmacy
Closing date
Places are highly sought after and you are therefore strongly advised to apply as soon as possible. We operate a closing date of 1 June, beyond which your application will only be considered if places are still available.
Overseas and EU applicants must satisfy the language requirements for King’s postgraduate programmes
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/apply/lang. We advise that applicants assess their current language level as early as possible. Applicants planning to attend a King’s pre-sessional language course are advised to apply for their Masters programme in good time. Depending on language requirements, pre-sessional courses start in May, June and July. Details of dates, fees, application deadlines and minimum entry levels for the Pre-sessional can be found at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/elc/study/pre-sessional We recommend early application to the Pre-sessional (minimum of one month before the course you want to follow) as courses fill up quickly
20 (approximately 10 FT, 10 PT).
Fees
PT Home: £5250 (2013)
PT Overseas: £9500 (2013)
FT Home: £10500 (2013)
FT Overseas: £19000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Admissions at Guy's Campus, tel 020 7848 8390; Pharmacy Department Administrator, tel 020 7848 4783, fax 020 7848 4800.
Email
PURPOSE
To provide chemical, life science and pharmacy graduates with scientific knowledge and expertise in the areas of biopharmaceutical discovery and development required for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, research institutes or regulatory authorities.
DESCRIPTION
The advanced programme provides an introduction to the principles of biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical analysis, offering specialisation in the more biological aspects of the pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis on drug metabolism and biochemical toxicology.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Principles of Analytical Techniques, Numerical Methods & Regulatory Affairs
- Principles of Drug Delivery and Disposition.
Please see the modules list for further information.
Indicative non-core content
- Biopharmaceuticals Development
- Biopharmaceuticals Discovery
- Research Project.
Please see the modules list for information.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Lectures; small group tutorials; laboratory classes; laboratory-based research project (or in some instances a critical review of the scientific literature). Each taught module is assessed by a written examination (70 per cent) and coursework (30 per cent).
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7BBPM011
Credit level: 7
Assessment of the module is based upon performance in a written examination (70 per cent) and coursework (30 per cent).
An introductory module concerned with the fundamental philosophy, principles and practice of chemical analysis and quality control, with particular reference to the pharmaceutical sciences.
On completion of the module the student should have: An appreciation of the science and role of analytical chemistry; the ability to design and undertake measurement protocols to GLP standard; an understanding of basic numerical methods and statistics used in chemical analysis and quality control; an appreciation of the scope and limitations of various techniques for product identification and the assignment of molecular structure and the analysis of complex mixtures.
Module code: 7BBPM010
Credit level: 7
Assessment of the module is based upon performance in a written examination (70 per cent) and coursework (30 per cent).
This is an introductory module which provides an overview of drug delivery and drug disposition, ie drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and elementary pharmacokinetics, providing essential background knowledge for the pharmaceutical scientist.
On completion of the module the student should have: An understanding of the significance of physicochemical properties in drug delivery and drug disposition; an appreciation of the approaches for delivering drugs to the body and the associated dosage forms; an understanding of the methods for evaluation of drug release from tablets, capsules and inhalers; an understanding of the structure of biological membranes and the various mechanisms associated with drug transport across them; an appreciation of the potential sites, reactions and factors which influence drug metabolism; an appreciation of the significance of drug metabolism in relation to biological activity; an understanding of the principles of pharmacokinetics and an ability to define and calculate the commonly used pharmacokinetic parameters.
Module code: 7BBPM014
Credit level: 7
Students on all three Masters Degree Programmes in the Pharmaceutical Sciences (Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Analysis & Quality Control, Pharmaceutical Technology) are required to carry out a research project. The aim of the research project is to provide students with the opportunity to study a particular topic in depth, give practical experience of research methodologies and in the presentation of scientific data, both orally and as a written report.
The Department of Pharmacy at King's is research active and as a result, Masters candidates are offered a considerable choice of research topics from across the entire spectrum of the pharmaceutical sciences, including:
- Computational methods with applications in the pharmaceutical sciences
- Drug delivery & formulation science
- Drug metabolism
- Toxicology
- Pharmaceutical analysis
- Isolation, identification and biological evaluation of materials derived from natural sources
The selection and allocation of research projects is carried out in November, and students are required to select three possible topics from a list of usually over sixty available, the final allocation being made by the Programme Directors. Obviously the projects selected must be appropriate for the degree programme being undertaken.
Project work starts in the second semester and students are expected to spend the equivalent of two days a week working on their projects. Following the summer examinations (these are generally held in May/June), work on the projects is carried out full time, and the final report is submitted for assessment in mid-August.
Students undertaking the degree programmes part-time are normally expected to carry out a practical-based project at their place of work, and they frequently have ideas for areas of investigation which would be of interest to their employers. However, depending on the nature of their employment it is appreciated that this may not be possible for everyone. In such instances these individuals are permitted to submit a critical survey of the literature (dissertation) rather than a practical-based research project.
Research projects/dissertations are assessed on the basis of the final written report (90 per cent) and a short oral presentation (10 per cent) at the end of the second semester.
Module code: 7BBPM013
Credit level: 7
This is a specialist module concerned with the basic concepts of toxicology, which examines the biochemical mechanisms of toxicity and the significance of molecular biology in relation to toxicology and modern drug development.
On completion of the module the student should have:
- An understanding of the basic principles of toxicology and their relationship to drug safety evaluation
- An appreciation of the significance of drug metabolism in relation to mechanisms of toxicity
- The ability to interpret toxicological data
- Gained problem-solving skills in toxicology, and be able to apply these in the assessment of actual and potential drug toxicity
- An understanding of the ways in which molecular biology has, and will, impact on drug discovery, development and use
- An appreciation of the fundamental techniques of molecular biology and bioinformatics, and their application
- An appreciation of the significance of inherited effects in determining inter-individual differences in response to drugs
Assessment of the module is based upon performance in a written examination (70 per cent) and coursework (30 per cent).
Module code: 7BBPM012
Credit level: 7
This is a specialist module, which builds upon the fundamental principles provided in the module 'Principles of Drug Delivery and Disposition'.
The module aims to provide a detailed understanding of:
- The chemical and enzymatic basis of drug and foreign compound biotransformation
- The time course of drug absorption and disposition, and the relationship between these processes and the intensity and duration of drug action
- The factors which influence biotransformation
- The magnitude of the pharmacokinetic parameters
On completion of the module the student should:
- Understand and interpret the complex pattern of biotransformations open to xenobiotics
- Have an appreciation of the factors which influence the extent and pathways of biotransformation
- Have an understanding of how in vitro parameters may be utilised for prediction of in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters
- Have practical and problem-solving abilities in the area of drug metabolism
- Be able to apply these skills to actual and potential situations of industrial, regulatory and academic significance
- Have an understanding of the molecular genetics of the enzymes
- Have an understanding of the regulation of gene expression and enzyme function at the molecular and proteomic level
- Have an understanding of the protein structure of the enzymes with respect to the mechanism of the catalytic cycle and substrate/inhibitor specificity
- Have an understanding of the mechanisms of drug interactions
Assessment of the Module is based upon performance in a written examination (70 per cent) and coursework (30 per cent).
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Minimum 2:1 first degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or a related discipline or an overseas equivalent.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Your application will be assessed by the Programme Director, who will consult other members of the academic staff involved in teaching the programme. We aim to process all applications within two to three weeks, following receipt of the required information. However, between May and July, and during holiday periods, applications may take longer to process. You are welcome to telephone the Programme Director to discuss your application and/or arrange a visit to the department.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please give any information you consider relevant to your application not mentioned elsewhere on the form, eg appropriate industrial experience or work placements; research projects undertaken; why this particular programme appeals to you in relation to your future career aspirations.
FUNDING
The majority of FT students are self funded or have career development loans; PT students are generally funded by their employers.
Student profiles
Biopharmaceuticals MScI completed my Bachelor degree in pharmacy in 2009 from Witwatersrand in South Africa - I was the overall top student at my university and was granted an Overseas Merit Scholarship for my postgraduate studies. After completing my internship in the pharmaceutical industry I was motivated to pursue a career in Pharmaceutical Research and Drug Development which led me to choose King's for multiple reasons.
First, King's has one of the best postgraduate programs in Europe and the world. Secondly, King's has a great reputation in the biomedical fields and in particular in the pharmaceutical studies. Thirdly, I was impressed by the number of Nobel Prize winners that King's college has produced - five winners were in the Physiology and Medicine field.
I am very impressed with the wide variety of courses and concentrations offered by the Pharmaceutical program. More specifically, I am very enthralled and satisfied by both the theoretical studies and the practical studies. In addition, the faculty has a lot of experience and knowledge in their particular courses. I feel that King's gives me the necessary knowledge and experience.
King's is located at the center of London with great facility and employment opportunities. The location of Stamford Street Apartments has been convenient for me since it is minutes away from campus, shops and amenities. I would recommend King's College to any student, whether locally or internationally, pursuing biomedical studies.
Biopharmaceuticals MSc
I gained my first master's degree (in pharmacology) at King's College London, so coming back for another qualification after working seemed an obvious choice, as I had enjoyed being at King's immensely.
What attracted me this degree programme was the breadth of subject areas covered. I have a background in pharmacology and have worked in academic research environments, but I felt that I lacked knowledge on how the pharmaceutical industry operated, especially with regard to drug discovery, development and delivery. The MSc Biopharmacy covers all these areas, and gives a good overview of how chemical entities go on to become lead compounds and the testing required in order for these to then reach the market. I now feel that I have a good understanding of these areas and doing this degree has strengthened my desire to work in the pharmaceutical industry. The trip to Novartis was the 'icing on the cake' as we got to see things that we had covered in lectures put into practice in the laboratories.
I've been based at the Waterloo Campus, in the Franklin-Wilkins Building, which I absolutely love. The close proximity of the river makes it a lovely location and lunchtime walks are a regular occurrence. I obtained accommodation at Lillian Penson Hall, an intercollegiate hall run by the University of London, and it's been great. The location, Paddington, is central and getting to Waterloo is easy.
London is one of my favorite cities, and being back here after eight years away has been great. There is so much to do and to see that it's almost impossible to be bored. It is not the cheapest city in the world to live in but student discounts help, especially when it comes to travel on the buses and on the underground.