Clinical Pharmacology is the study of how drugs influence human physiology and the way the body responds. This understanding forms a vital part of the clinical development of new medicines. In the process of drug development, clinical pharmacologists are particularly important in understanding how the drug influences the natural physiological processes, as well as disease pathology and hence, they have a large role in designing clinical investigations, monitoring patients, exploring pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships and testing medicines in specific patient populations. The theme has been constructed to allow those individuals who have a basic foundation in either pharmacology and/or clinical science to expand their knowledge base beyond their initial field of specialisation and hence, to empower them to make critical decisions during the development of a medicine.
The taught postgraduate level modules provide the ability to enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Clinicians are drawn from King’s College and King’s Health Partners to provide a balanced perspective in this field. The courses emphasise the integrated learning of pharmacological principles and clinical practical competence with medicines development. The course is made up of compulsory and optional modules.
The course is made up of optional and required modules.
The MSc pathway requires modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course, including 60 credits from a dissertation of around 15,000-18,000 words.
If you are studying the MSc, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MSc qualification part-time, your course will take up to six years to complete.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
Teaching
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. There are 30 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per module. Each module requires two to four hours of pre- reading and also exam preparation.
For the MSc project there are approximately 80 hours of tutorials, plus supervision of dissertation research and ad hoc academic tutor meetings. Students could spend 200 to 300 hours researching and writing a dissertation.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of coursework and online examinations. The MSc course also requires a research and dissertation based in the area of clinical pharmacology.
Coursework contributes approximately 50% and examinations approximately 50% to your final mark.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.