Pharmacy MPharm

As a pharmacy student this module will teach you all the essential skills you need to start your journey to becoming a pharmacist. This is covered through three main areas:

• Fundamental concepts in science relating to drugs
• Medicines design
• Professional and clinical pharmacy

You will be taught how to handle with accuracy and precision the dispensing of medicines, calculations and laboratory skills.

Future responsibilities of a healthcare professional will be introduced. Such as, protection of the public, ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, and being an expert in drugs and medicines.

You will learn the different roles of pharmacists in hospitals, primary care organisations, community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry. You will have weekly lectures, practical classes and workshops. There will be group presentations (oral and written) and an exam.

This is the first of our ‘Drug, Medicine and Patient’ (DMP) modules focusing on a particular disease in this case, Dyspepsia. You develop an understanding of the states, causes, diseases and associated conditions of the disease and the commonly encountered drugs and medicines used in their treatment. You will also develop key study and learning skills, alongside high level inquiry and critical skills. You will have a combination of lectures, workshops, e-learning packages, case study workshops and community and hospital placements.

You will learn to appreciate microbiology and infectious diseases, developing a high level of understanding of some of the key antimicrobial drugs and detailed knowledge of antibiotic prescribing from a pharmacists perspective. You will study a range of bacterial and fungal infections and their common treatments. You will have a combination of lectures, practical sessions, e-learning packages, case studies and directed study.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the structure and function of the liver with respect to the metabolism of nutrients and drugs. You will develop an understanding of the role of normal GI bacteria, as well as learning about the pathology of major GI diseases, and the drugs used to treat these. You will also find out how these drugs are absorbed by the body, and will be able to identify appropriate types of dosages for specific drugs. You will have a combination of workshops, practical lab classes, e-learning packages, case studies and a hospital placement visit.

Amongst the more common disorders encountered by both community and hospital pharmacists are those affecting the respiratory system such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. This module aims to illustrate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these pathological states, how therapeutic intervention is designed to treat these states and how better medicines can be generated for these conditions. Some example topics include the role of inflammatory cells, the regulation of smooth muscle tone and mucus production as well as delivery systems. You will have a combination of lectures, workshops, practical classes and e-learning packages.

You will learn to appreciate the causes and systems of cardiovascular diseases and the commonly used drugs to treat them. This module will include patient involvement in teaching and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder will meet with you to aid your understanding of the condition. On completion of this module you will be able recommend appropriate treatment, patient counselling and lifestyle advice. You will have a combination of lectures, practical laboratory classes, workshops, e-learning packages, direct learning and case studies.

This module will provide you with a comprehensive coverage of pharmaceutical-relevant topics relating to renal and endocrine diseases. You will gain an understanding of the biology of renal and endocrine function, the symptoms of renal and endocrine diseases and the chemistry and mechanism of peptide-based drugs such as insulin. On completion of this module you will have a sound understanding of the treatment and management of renal and endocrine diseases. You will have a combination of lectures, laboratory practical classes and case study workshops over the course of this module.

This module aims to make you consider not only the medication, therapies and appropriate treatments surrounding conception, contraception, and pregnancy but also the evolutionary drivers of reproduction and sexual attraction and the ethical and moral dilemmas that you as a pharmacist may face. The topics covered include the evolutionary basis of sex and aspects of sexually transmitted diseases, the physiological basis of sexual attraction, conception, contraception and infertility and pregnancy testing and prescribing. You will have a combination of lectures, podcasts, Q&A sessions, presentations, practical lab classes, case study workshops and four formative assessments.

Pharmacists encounter patients experiencing pain every day. This module provides you with the sufficient background scientific knowledge to be able to understand and describe the clinical use of commonly used analgesics and targets novel analgesics. There is an element of patient involvement via workshop sessions where patients will talk to students in small groups. On completion of this module you will be able to apply scientific knowledge to basic clinical scenarios. You will have a combination of lectures, workshops, e-learning packages and case studies.

This module aims to get you thinking about the available treatments for important viral and parasitic diseases. You will get to grips with the basic biology of viruses, protozoan and metazoan parasites and gain an understanding of the pathogens and drugs or vaccinations available for treatment. Some of the topics covered include the benefits of using vaccination, travel medicine, HIV, H5N1 and tropical diseases and the supply, law and ethics surrounding veterinary medicines. You will have lectures, practicals and workshops and case study work.

The central nervous system is fundamental to the work of the healthcare professional. This module will provide with you with sufficient background scientific information to understand and describe the pathophysiology of CNS disorders and the medicines used to treat them. You will have a combination of lectures, workshops, practical laboratory classes and case study workshops. The module also includes patient involvement in teaching and you will meet a patient with a history of drug misuse.

Address issues relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, and the professional and ethical issues concerning palliative care and the end of life.

In particular, you will be encouraged to think of cancers as a diverse group of genetic diseases which pose unique problems in their diagnosis and management.

Examples of a small number of cancer types will be used to illustrate key points which have broader relevance to cancer therapy and beyond.

You will cover areas such as:

• The biological hallmarks of cancer
• Classes of anti-cancer drug
• Cancer treatments and formulations
• Patient management and palliative care
• Epidemiology and Health Economics
• The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with cancer, and patients at the end-of-life stage

Experience contemporary research methods by engaging yourself to design a research programme and perform experiments, surveys, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific pharmacy-related or biomedical problem.

The practical component of the project will provide an opportunity for you to carry out scientific research, and to relate the outcomes to scientific concepts and knowledge of the field. You will collect, analyse and interpret data, read and collate previous results relevant to their problem, presenting their research as a clear and concise report.

The form of project may vary and it may be based on laboratory work, clinical audit, or patient studies.

Academic supervisors will provide the topic of study and guidance on the project. You will be able to develop the theme of the dissertation in your own way.

You will be provided with an opportunity to use your initiative and knowledge in undertaking an original research study. With the aim to provide you with first-hand research experience and insights into scientific methodology, through the undertaking of a review of published work and experimental and/or computer-based work to investigate a selected topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

Practical projects are likely to involve the utilization of state-of-the-art instrumentation available in the Schools of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, whereas students undertaking clinical projects may be required to visit practice based settings.

This module looks ahead into your career as a pharmacist and considers the way that major changes in treatment are likely to change over the span of your career. You will gain an appreciation of the research breakthroughs in biology and pharmaceutical sciences that are driving the invention of future medicines. On completion of the module you should be able to assess new scientific breakthroughs in terms of their clinical potential. You will have a combination of lectures, workshops, e-learning packages and two case studies to work through.

This module advances the knowledge of disease management and conditions covered previously and introduces new diseases and conditions via case studies. It develops teaching, assessment and presentation skills. Working in small sub-groups, they will teach the rest of their group about their case in small group sessions.

The module takes a patient focused approach to medicine optimisation and follows patients through a number of care pathways. The module will consolidate the principles of management of complex, comorbid patients and patients prescribed multiple medicines to manage coexisting problems, further developing the ability of students to manage these patients. Students will develop their problem solving skills and their abilities in application of therapeutics to these complex patients. Students will develop critical thinking and decision-making, team working, and teaching skills.

The course facilitates independent learning and helps students acquire teaching skills. Presented with patient scenarios, medical records and medication charts/prescriptions, students are expected to critically evaluate, prioritise problems and incorporate clinical evidence into therapeutic recommendations.

This module will see a group of ten students set up, design a management plan, market and run a simulated pharmacy for the whole year. Actors will visit as patients and customers, prescribers, pharmaceutical company representatives and inspectors. You may receive phone calls from doctors, nursing homes and patients and may have to do real out of hours practice. You will have ten lectures throughout the year and one day a week simulations.

You will gain an appreciation of the state of the art in drug discovery by drawing together concepts in chemistry and pharmacology. You will gain an understanding of how advances in quantitative biology, molecular modelling, structural biology, synthetic chemistry and natural product chemistry combine to create new classes of drugs. You will be taught through lectures, workshops, e-learning packages and case studies.