The Master's in Pharmacology provides training in the design and execution of practical approaches to the mechanisms by which drugs act. Includes taught modules that provide a comprehensive knowledge base and project based elements. Leads to further study for PhD or careers in the pharmaceutical or research related industries.
KEY BENEFITS
- A central London location equipped with first class IT, library and study facilities.
- An opportunity to plan and design as well as to pursue your own original research.
- A programme that will prepare you for a career in drug research and related industries.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Students go on to PhD research degrees or work in the pharmaceutical or research-related industry.
Programme leader/s
Dr Reginald J Docherty
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, September to September.
Location
Guy's, Waterloo and St Thomas' campuses; inflammation course either at University College London or Guy's Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
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
14 FT approximately.
Fees
FT Home: £10500 (2013)
FT Overseas: £19000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Admissions Centre at the Guy's Campus, tel 020 7848 8393; Dr Reg Docherty, Course Co-ordinator, tel 020 7848 6193.
Email
Website
PURPOSE
The programme provides training in the design and execution of practical approaches to the investigation of the mechanisms by which drugs act, and includes taught components that provide a comprehensive pharmacology knowledge base.
DESCRIPTION
The taught component of the programme includes a compulsory lecture-based module in systems and cellular pharmacology, which is complemented by a laboratory-based practical module and optional lecture modules in cardiovascular pharmacology, neuropharmacology and the pharmacology of inflammation. Project based elements include a literature research module, a research design module and a laboratory based practical research project.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
All six modules must be taken and passed:
- Systems and Cellular Pharmacology
- Pharmacology of Biological Systems: Practical Skills
- Research Project Design - Pharmacology
- Literature Research in Pharmacology
- Laboratory Research Project - Pharmacology
- Contemporary Developments in Pharmacology.
Indicative non-core content
Optional lecture courses are available within the following modules:
- Systems and Cellular Pharmacology
- Contemporary Developments in Pharmacology.
Please see the modules list for further information.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Lectures and laboratory modules with in-course assessment including a mid-sessional written examination, research design project, literature survey, laboratory based research project and poster presentation.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Teaching staff: All pharmacology staff
Module code: 7BBMM012
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15 MCAT
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring); summer session 1;
Teaching pattern: Students select two of three oprional lecture module supplemented by research seminars.
Assessment:
presentation/s
Assessment of the module unit is by a poster presentation at the end of August. It is the final unit of assessment of the programme.
Throughout the programme time is set aside to allow students to explore current concepts and issues in pharmacology, especially with respect to emerging drug targets or ideas concerning mechanisms of action. This course unit draws together material presented in all the other course units of the programme, including both lecture-based and project-based units. Students are encouraged to attend two of three optional lecture courses (pharmacology of the cardiovascular system, pharmacology of inflammation, pharmacology of neurological diseases).
Teaching staff: All pharmacology staff
Module code: 7BBMM006
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30 MCAT
Teaching pattern: One to one supervision with same supervisor as research project
Assessment:
coursework
Conventional thesis of 8-10,000 words that is related in content to the laboratory research project.
The literature dissertation is a written literature survey dealing with an area of current research interest in Pharmacology. The dissertation will be written under the supervision of an individual member of staff, who will usually be the same person who supervises the Laboratory Research Project.
Teaching staff: Dr Andy Grant is module leader
Module code: 7BBMM014
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15 MCAT
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment:
coursework; practical/s;
The course is designed to familiarise students with fundamentals of pharmacological experimentation and to encourage an hypothesis-led approach to research problems. Students will be required to use the data acquired during the practicals as the basis for writing three reports in the form of scientific papers. These reports will form the basis for assessment of the course unit.
All students will attend a three-day training module covering parts 1-4 of the UK Home Office License training requirements. The certificate obtained during this course is an essential requirement in the UK to allow students to apply to the UK Home Office for a license to perform experiments on living animals. A license of this type may be necessary for some of the laboratory-based project options.
The course also includes workshops on statistics, risk assessment and use of information resources.
Module code: 7BBMM010
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 60 MCATs
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring); summer session 1;
Assessment:
coursework
Assessment is by preparation of a dissertation which is worth 80% of the assessment and by supevisor's assessment of laboratory skills which is worth 20% of the asessment.
The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at King's College has a very wide range of research interests and expertise. MSc projects will normally be available in a fairly wide range of areas commensurate with the research interests of pharmacologists at King's.
Teaching staff: Led by Dr Lawrence Moon
Module code: 7BBMM013
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30 MCATs
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring)
Assessment:
coursework; oral examination/s;
80% written project proposal (3,500 words) and 20% oral presentation.
During this course students work in teams of 3-5 students to design a research project. Using the materials and resources gathered by the team, each student writes his/her own application to an imaginary funding body for financial support to pursue the research. The funding application produced forms the basis of the assessment of the unit.
Teaching staff: All pharmacology staff
Module code: 7BBMM011
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30 MCATs
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment:
written examination/s
Examination in mid January
This course unit is organised in two modules.
Firstly, a comprehensive, introductory Systems module which is designed to familiarise students with a broad-based knowledge of the effects of drugs on different body systems, their mechanisms of action, clinical actions and side effects.
Secondly, a more advanced, but complementary Cellular Pharmacology module familiarises students with current concepts of the cellular basis of drug action. For the Cellular part of the course students may choose to attend lectures on the molecular basis of drug action or alternatively they may choose a lecture course that focuses on the cellular basis of drug dependence.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
A medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) or a 2:1 first degree in pharmacy, pharmacology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related subject, or overseas equivalent. Applicants without a degree but with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Employment within a relevant industrial environment would be advantageous but is not essential.
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
You will be admitted on the basis of your academic ability together with recommendations from academic referees.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
A personal statement and full transcripts for all degrees you have undertaken are required. Please also list A-level subjects and the grades achieved. The transcript for each degree should list all modules taken and the grades achieved on each. Applicants who are still enrolled on a course should supply partial transcripts of the modules taken and grades achieved so far and should also supply a list of the modules that are currently being taken. Applicants who have not yet graduated should state the date when results are expected.
FUNDING
Self-funded.
Staff profiles
Pharmacology MSc
Once I became a pharmacologist the decision to work at King's was easy because the pharmacology department here was, and remains, one of the best in the UK with state of the art facilities and good ties with the pharmaceutical industry. We are committed to producing excellent graduates and the way in which our teaching and research is intertwined ensures our students are delivered a university education in pharmacology that I believe is second to none.