Pharmacy MPharm

About the course

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and a trusted source of health advice and treatment. They are the most accessible of the health professionals. The role of pharmacists in the provision of healthcare is developing in new ways to support patients with their medicines through medicine management schemes and non-medical prescribing. Pharmacists are involved in the drug design, development and formulation of medicine.

The four year Pharmacy degree programme (MPharm) has been developed to give you a thorough understanding and advanced knowledge of pharmacy theory and practice. The MPharm programme includes the study of science and healthcare. The aims of the course are to provide you with the relevant scientific knowledge and skills to be a pharmacist. You will develop an understanding of normal and abnormal bodily functions and be able to apply your knowledge to the treatment of patients. You will learn about the role of the pharmacist in healthcare and in the pharmaceutical industry and develop interpersonal skills such as communication, application of information technology and group working within the context of the profession.

View our Mpharm brochure online

Why choose this course?

• Excellent facilities including a simulated pharmacy and refurbished chemistry labs
• Interprofessional learning opportunities
• University is well placed geographically and has strong links with local healthcare providers and pharmaceutical industries
• Friendly and supportive staff
• Placement visits in year 1 and year 2, with a 1 week placement in year 3

Study routes

• Full Time, 4 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

A career in Pharmacy is a rewarding one which offers you the chance to pursue your interest in science, the opportunity to join the NHS healthcare team, a choice of working environments and a competitive salary.

Teaching methods

You will undertake your studies both on campus within lecture theatres and modern laboratories, as well as on clinical placements. A variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and problem based learning will be used in components of the course, supported by computer-assisted learning and self-directed study. You will be regularly assessed throughout the four years by examinations, coursework and project work. Within your final year you will undertake a Research Project in an area which interests you.

Work Placement

To prepare you for a professional career in pharmacy, the degree has a vocational element. You will be expected to gain pharmacy practice experience within hospital, community or industry placements. Through the placements you will develop new skills and knowledge through contact with pharmacists, patients and other healthcare professionals. This will provide a wide range of experiences and will develop your ability to relate pharmacy theory to practice.

Professional Accreditations

When you have completed this course, taken a year of approved pre-registration training and passed the registration exam, you will be eligible for membership of the General Pharmaceutical Council

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• An Introduction to Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working within health and social care are explored. Learning will be through multi-professional group seminars and tutorials that require students to access and gather appropriate data from a range of sources and apply this to a series of practice-based, simulated scenarios and exercises.

• An Introduction to Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working within health and social care are explored. Learning will be through multi-professional group seminars and tutorials that require students to access and gather appropriate data from a range of sources and apply this to a series of practice-based, simulated scenarios and exercises.

• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology

  This module gives students an overview of the structure and function of the healthy human body. The module aims to give students an introduction to human physiology relating cell function and biochemistry to the function of the whole human body, including a detailed consideration of haematology; an understanding of the somatic and autonomic nervous system and endocrine system; an understanding of the physiological functioning of the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic and digestive systems together with their participation in homeostasis, and how this may be disrupted in disease states.

• Biological and Biochemical Sciences for Pharmacy Students

  This module provides the students with a contextualised introduction to the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology and how knowledge of these sciences is implicit in the practice of pharmacy and medicine. The module introduces students to the fundamental structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and explores how cell structure and organisation relates to cell function. Topics covered include: Structure of cells and their components; membrane organisation and transport; DNA organisation, replication, mitosis and cell division; gene organisation, transcription and translation; protein structure and localisation; enzyme kinetics; cell signalling; cell biochemistry and metabolism; an introduction to microbiology and the key features of microbes in relation to disease; eukaryotic genetics including chromosome analysis, Mendelian inheritance, pedigree and linkage analysis; an introduction to differentiation/development; and basic molecular biological techniques.

• Cell Biology

  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and evolution; DNA structure, chromosome and gene organisation; transcription; translation and the role of ribosomes; protein processing and localisation in the cell; DNA replication; cell cycle, mitosis and cell division; differentiation and embryology; mutation; prokaryotic genetics to include basic structure of plasmids and bacteriophage; an introduction to the manipulation of DNA and recombinant DNA technology; eukaryotic genetics.

• Foundations of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

  A foundation module that will cover essential areas of nomenclature, physical pharmacy and physical, structural and organic chemistry. Topics covered include a study of the key organic functional groups, basic kinetics and thermodynamics,and an introduction to fundamental concepts in pharmaceutics. The module provides the underpinning pharmaceutical chemistry, presented in a contextualised manner, necessary to support other modules studied on the programme.

• Human Physiology (Pharmacy)

  This module has been designed to give students an introduction to human physiology relating cell function and biochemistry to the function of the whole human body. The course aims to give students an introduction to haematology; an understanding of the somatic and autonomic nervous system and endocrine system, including control of reproduction; an understanding of the physiological functioning of respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and digestive systems together with their participation in homeostasis, and how this maybe disrupted in disease states.

• Introduction to Biochemistry and Metabolism (Pharmacy)

  An introductory module in 'the biochemistry of the cell, covering various aspects of protein structure; enzyme kinetics and methods for determining kinetic parameters; catabolic metabolism - the inter-relationships and control of pathways particularly glycolysis, TCA cycle and the beta-oxidation of fatty acids'. Introductory aspects of bioenergetics including 1) the structure of mitochondria and chloroplasts 2) basic aspects of oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation 3) fundamentals of electron transport in both mitochondria and chloroplasts.

• Medicines and Professional Practice 1

  This module will introduce students to the role of medicines in patient care and society. The module will explore the scope of the professional practice of pharmacy. Students will be introduced to the concept of medication supply, and safety in prescribing and dispensing. An introduction to the ethical, legal and quality assurance framework to practice will be covered. The module will introduce pharmacology, describing research into the discovery of new medicines and the therapeutic use of drugs. General mechanisms of how drugs work at a molecular and physiological level will be illustrated. Sources of new chemical entities will be identified, together with processes to develop these into new medicines. The importance to the effective use of medicines of knowing the mode action of drugs and their fate in the body will be highlighted. The module will be supported by practice visits and patient interviews on common diseases and ailments.

• Molecular Structure and Reactivity

  A broad-based module covering essential areas of physical, inorganic, structural, organic and radiochemistry, including a study of the key organic functional groups, basic kinetics and basic thermodynamics, an introduction to the periodic table and an introduction to spectroscopy.

• Personal Transferable Skills (Pharmacy)

  Students will complete assignments, within their discipline of choice, that include opportunities for development of their personal transferable skills. They will reflect on their development with the assistance of a personal tutor and will produce a portfolio of evidence based on the set assignments and wider experience such as from the work place or other areas of responsibility. Skills assessed are autonomy, information management, group working, numeracy, oral and written communication, problem solving, self-evaluation and reflective practice.

• Pharmacy Practice and Medicines 1

  This module will introduce students to the role of medicines in patient care and society. The module will explore the scope of the professional practice of pharmacy. Students will be introduced to the concept of legality, safety and appropriateness in medication supply. The module will introduce the science of pharmacology related to the discovery of medicines and the therapeutic use of drugs. General mechanisms of how drugs work at a molecular and physiological level will be illustrated. Sources of new chemical entities will be identified, together with processes to develop these into new medicines. This module will also introduce students to the pharmaceutical properties of drugs and important consideration undertaken during drug design. This module will be supported by practice visits and patient interviews on common diseases and minor ailments.

• Professional Development Skills 1

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Analytical Science

  The course describes the importance of quality within analytical science and shows that the role of the analytical scientist extends beyond simply performing a 'measurement' and that the history and preparation / storage of the sample are equally as important as knowledge of what the 'results' are needed for. The theory and use of chromatographic separation and atomic and molecular spectroscopic methods of analysis are presented. Data and data quality will be analysed via a number of statistical tests such as F- and t-tests. Throughout the lectures examples from the analysis of pharmaceuticals will be given.

• Dispensing Competence

  This module is a zero credit module comprising an assessment which students must pass for GPhC requirements to allow progression to year 3 of the MPharm. The assessment is in the form of a dispensing test that runs alongside teaching in MPP2 (5PHA0003) to allow the students to demonstrate competence in dispensing. The module is intended to allow the student to demonstrate competency in their ability to prevent, identify and solve drug therapy problems for individual patients via prescriptions and other orders for medicines.

• Medicines and Professional Practice 2

  This module aims to develop student s understanding of the practice of pharmacy through integrating practice elements with studies of the fundamental scientific principles underpinning the use and design of medicines. The module develops student's clinical skills and enables them to achieve basic competency in prescription management. Students are introduced to the principles and concepts involved in drug formulation, routes of drug administration and to the various materials and procedures used in the preparation of liquid, semisolid and solid dosage forms. The module also covers recognition and response to symptoms of common ailments and the advisory role of the pharmacist in health promotion and illness prevention. The concepts of decision-making and professional judgment, legal, professional and ethical implications, as well as the concepts of risk, responsibilities and liabilities are introduced and developed. Emphasis is also placed on effective communication with patients and other health care practitioners. The module is supported by experience in practice.

• Personal Transferable Skills 2 (Pharmacy)

  Students will complete assignments, within their discipline of choice, that include opportunities for development of their personal transferable skills. They will reflect on their development with the assistance of a personal tutor and will produce a portfolio of evidence based on the set assignments and wider experience such as from the work place or other areas of responsibility. Skills assessed are autonomy, information management, group working, numeracy, oral and written communication, problem solving, self-evaluation and reflective practice.

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

  This module aims to facilitate a student studying key aspects of organic and physical chemistry related to drug activity and pharmaceutical applications. Organic structure and reactivity in relation to the synthesis and biological activity of pharmaceuticals is explored. An understanding of small molecule/macromolecular binding interactions and stereochemistry in drug activity is included. Spectroscopic techniques are introduced and applied to the identification of organic molecules.

• Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Manufacture

  Introduction to microbiology: bacteria, viruses and fungi; microbiological media and culture techniques. Sterilization techniques and disinfectant: theory and principles of different sterilization techniques, sterilization kinetics, D and Z values, autoclave function, chemical and physical agents; microbial contamination and product preservation; Sterile products, aseptic operation and environment, Sterility testing and pyrogen testing, Antimicrobial agents: antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral, Healthcare associated infection and antibiotic stewardship. Hand washing techniques and its importance in public health. Unit operations in pharmaceutical manufacture: theory and basic principles of liquid liquid extraction; crystallisation theory and practice; ion exchange and adsorptive processes; Fluid flow and heat transfer; filtration process.

• Pharmacology and Therapeutics

  This module will describe the analysis of drugs action in the general sense, (to assess potency and efficacy through interaction with known receptors and cellular transduction mechanisms), and the mode of altered physiological function at a tissue and systems level to account for therapeutic effects in specific disease states. The fate of drugs (pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism) will also be considered as it influences the development of new drugs and as an important aspect to the success of therapeutics. Classes of drug treatments will be characterised for specific diseases of the cardiovascular system, endocrine system, central nervous system and chemotherapeutics of cancers and infectious diseases, dermatology and wound healing. The limitations of existing therapies will also be identified and the possible new target for future drug treatment discussed in terms of present understanding the pathology and genetic basis of disease. Alternative therapeutic approaches, such as herbal medicine will also be discussed.

• Principles of Immunology (Pharmacy)

  Anatomy and physiology of the immune system: cells, primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, leukocyte circulation and key phenomena including; chemotaxis, opsonisation, phagocytosis, inflammation, antigen processing and clonal expansion. Natural immunity: role of phagocytic cells, the complement system, cytokines, chemokines and the acute inflammatory response. Adaptive immunity: antigen specificity of B and T cells. Antibody structure and effector functions. T cell subsets; antigen processing and presentation to T cells, the role of the major histocompatibility complex. T-helper cell subpopulations and cytokines in determining the immune response. Immunity to microbial pathogens including bacteria, viruses and selected parasites. Vaccine design strategies. Inflammation: immunology of chronic inflammation; immunopathology of selected chronic inflammatory diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases . Anti-inflammatory therapies; steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in immunosuppression and novel immunomodulatory drugs, in particular, cytokine/chemokine-based therapies. Hypersensitivity reactions: types I-IV; IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, extrinsic asthma; Arthus reactions, serum sickness and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Drug hypersensitivity reactions.

• Professional Development Skills 2

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

• Business Management

  The aims of this module are to give the student a basic understanding of elements of management theory, change management and how these will affect practice. They will gain an understanding of financial principles and audit, and will apply these in the preparation of example financial reports. The module will explore the concepts of economics, and in particular the markets affecting pharmacy. The student will appreciate the range of legislation affecting management, and describe the effects of corporate governance and risk assessment. They will learn about legislation and good practice affecting staff management and will exercise on recruitment processes. Students will cover communication and interpersonal skills in interview, appraisal and coaching simulations.

• Drug Discovery & Development

  Use/apply modern approaches for the identification of lead compounds and therapeutic targets. Be aware of the methods used in identifying natural products of potential pharmaceutical use An appreciation of preclinical and clinical observations in relation to the identification of novel biological targets and potential therapeutic use Application of computational techniques in drug design Rationalise the development of a pharmaceutical compound Be able to formulate a pharmaceutical in to an appropriate format

• Enhancing Health & Social Care through Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students further opportunities of working in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will bring benefit to patient/service-users. The justification for inclusion of inter-professional working within health care is addressed. The module requires students to bring specialist in-depth knowledge of their profession and professional codes of conduct to a group setting so that health and social care pathways are critically reviewed in the context of professional practice.

• Law, Ethics and Professionalism

  The aims of this module are to provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the law as it relates to the practice of pharmacy. It outlines the legislative framework for the NHS and the provision of pharmaceutical services including the terms of service for pharmaceutical contractors. The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the concept of ethics, the place of ethics in the professional setting and a structured approach to resolution of ethical issues and dilemmas. Focussing on the interaction between pharmacist and the patient, and between the pharmacist and other healthcare providers, the module helps students to develop and apply the skills necessary to respond to the legal and ethical challenges in healthcare practice and enhances their ability to cope with uncertainty. The module also addresses professionalism, fosters the development of professional qualities, and provides a clear understanding of what the public expects from its healthcare professionals. Ethics and professional development seminars/workshops aim to develop empathy, decision-making skills and professional judgement through case-studies and discussion. A professional responsibility symposium further reinforces aspects of duties, responsibilities and accountability to patients, public, employers, and the professional body.

• Medicines and Professional Practice III

  * an introduction to how social pharmacy and evidence based medicine influences the construct of medicines use reviews * interpretation and application of clinical, social and therapeutic data * the design of pharmaceutical care plans for long term conditions * an introduction to integrated care pathways linked to health policy * multi-disciplinary working and ethical issues * the development of integrated health and social care services in response to policy

• Patient Assessment (Pharmacy)

  This level 6 module is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to undertake comprehensive assessment and triage of patients in a community and / or primary care setting. The module will provide students with practical experience through simulation and will provide the basic components which underpin non medical prescribing. Content will include: Professional communication. Documentation related to patient assessment. Care pathways and referrals. Therapeutic communication and the clinical interview. The health history. Physical assessment techniques and equipment. Diagnostic tests, equipment and procedures. The general examination. Examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat. Examination of the respiratory system. Examination of the cardiovascular system. Examination of the abdomen and GU system. Examination of the musculoskeletal system. Examination of the nervous system. Assessment of mental health. Decision support technology. Human factors and sources of error.

• Pharmaceutical Analysis, Production and Quality Control

  Analytical techniques relevant to pharmaceutical manufacture, quality control and stability testing; Quality assurance- regulation, method validation, proficiency testing and control; Unit operations in pharmaceutical manufacture, regulation, health and safety, control of manufacturing processes, economics of manufacture and clinical applications

• Professional Development Skills 3

• Research Methods

  The module will introduce the main principles of research methodology and statistics, different approaches to solving a problem and the choice of appropriate research methodology. Various research approaches will be explored including the development of the research question. Methods of sampling and data gathering will be described including experimentation, questionnaires, interviews, case studies, action research, content analysis and observation. Quantitative and qualitative data, its statistical analysis, interpretation, presentation and reporting will be explored.

Optional

Year 4

Core Modules

• Pharmacy Practice and Medicines 4

  This module prepares the student for entry to the pre-registration year and develops knowledge skills and attributes obtained throughout the programme. It develops the students’ ability to utilise their knowledge of chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to the safe, legal and ethical prescribing process. The module covers recent changes in law, scientific advances and developments in professional practice. Students will demonstrate appropriate skills through simulation and patient contact to work in partnership with patients, carers and fellow healthcare professionals for the safe and effective use of medicines. The teaching sessions are delivered by practitioners with a wide range of experience. The teaching delivery mode is a combination of lectures, small group work and workshops. Students are encouraged to undertake self/independent study to supplement and consolidate their knowledge base and are expected to utilise StudyNet.

• Professional Development Skills 4

• Project

  This module will cover reviewing literature, appropriate research design, data analysis and preparation of research report.

• Public Health and Patient Safety

  The module is designed to build on the scientific and professional framework gained throughout the MPharm degree and enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of broad public health and patient safety issues with a focus on pharmacy practice. Students will explore the practice of public health in a range of settings; e.g. community pharmacy, national and international and in the event of disaster and emergency planning. They will learn about legislation and good practice affecting public health and patient safety. This module will help students to appreciate the role of the pharmacist in a proactive and preventative role as well as in reactive and management roles as required. Students will cover effective communication and interpersonal skills in relation to multiple stakeholders and contexts including: individual, community, health care providers and media.

Optional

• Mental Health

  The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of mental health across life span (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, late life) and its impact on primary and secondary healthcare. The role of pharmacists in mental health is critically evaluated. The student will develop knowledge of both neurochemistry and psychopharmacology. The above issues will be presented in lectures and applied to specific examples by case studies (within seminars and workshops). Case studies will explore such matters as the definition of the appropriate and inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs and the clinical pharmacological classification of psychotropics. Workshops will explore both clinical neuropsychopharmacological issues applied to everyday practice and critical incidents, with appropriate assessment and management of at-risk clinical situations. A problem based learning independent exercise will test the student s ability to conduct appropriate assessment and management in the most common clinical psychopathological situations. StudyNet will be used throughout the module.

• Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry

  This module option examines the processes and steps involved in the design of synthetic pathways for pharmaceuticals. The module will provide a revision of functional group reactivity and bond formation in relation to the design of multistep synthetic pathways. These introductory areas will be followed by more specialised topics including: the application of protecting groups in multistep synthesis; asymmetric synthesis, chemical and biochemical approaches to stereoselective synthesis; strategies for the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds; and retrosynthetic analysis. The application of the principles and concepts outlined above will be illustrated by an examination of a variety of examples of pharmaceutical significance with an emphasis on potential by-products, intermediates and related contaminants in relation to regulatory and pharmacopoeial requirements. The module will provide a critical insight and understanding of the issues associated with the design of multistep synthetic pathways of pharmaceuticals.

• Topical Therapeutics

  This module provides a detailed view of the topical product development process and addresses the clinical and patient/consumer considerations of the use of these products. Topic areas that will be covered as part of this module will typically include; Factors influencing absorption across skin, in silico prediction of skin absorption, preformulation and formulation development, skin toxicology, preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory affairs and clinical and patient perspectives in the use of topical products A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.

• Topics in Medicine Design

  This module option examines the processes and steps involved in the design of synthetic pathways for pharmaceuticals. The module will provide a brief introduction in the application of protecting groups in multistep synthesis; asymmetric synthesis, chemical approaches to stereoselective synthesis; strategies for the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds; and retrosynthetic analysis. The application of the principles and concepts outlined above will be illustrated by examination of synthetic examples of drugs used in different therapeutic classes. Different formulation strategies for the synthesised drugs will be reviewed. The clinical applications of the synthesised drugs will be examined.

• Travel Health

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £9,000 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Additional course costs

Additional costs include:

• £30 deposit for chemistry locker covering years 1 and 2 of study – refundable
• £25 for dispensing lab coat and 2 lab books – non-refundable
• £10 optional laboratory flame-proof Hijab or other head cover – non-refundable
• £35 deposit for EVS system – refundable after year 4 of study
• Travel costs for visits and placements

Students can claim back some expenses, for example if any costs are incurred to carry out a project, or any travel costs. 

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply