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MSc Drug Discovery and Toxicology with Placement Year
Why choose Herts?
Work-Related Learning: This is a sandwich year pathway available for you to find your own placement to enhance your employability.
Industry-Focused Content: You will explore contemporary topics in Drug Discovery and Toxicology looking closely at modern developments in drug safety science and 21st Century medicines.
Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by a team of experts who have extensive Pharma Research and Development experience (see key staff section).
About the course
This course gives you in-depth knowledge of the scientific basis of drug discovery with a particular emphasis on toxicology, the science behind the safety of drugs. We make full use of our geographical location at the heart of the UK pharmaceutical industry attracting numerous expert contributions from industry professionals (e.g. GSK, AZ).
The course will cover all aspects of new medicine research and development from identifying novel targets through drug screening to clinical trials of candidate medicines. With our excellent facilities, emphasis on practical work, and teaching underpinned by the latest research, you'll be qualified for research and development positions in pharmaceutical companies including discovery biology and toxicology, as well as a wide range of other non-laboratory roles in industry.
Alternatively, consider taking our other MSc Drug Discovery and Toxicology routes:
Why choose this course?
- 1st for Biosciences in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023)
- You'll benefit from being taught by expert staff with pharmaceutical industry research and development and toxicology experience
- We have strong links to big pharma research sites nearby which provide you with the opportunity for numerous guest lecturers from the industry as well as networking opportunities
- Our state of the art Science Building provides excellent facilities for laboratory based studies, including QPCR, cell culture, protein analysis, isolated tissue studies, immunohistochemistry
- Upon graduation, you'll be equipped for working in a wide range of roles in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries
- If successful you will have the opportunity to apply for a 12-month placement. If you are not successfull in finding a placement position, then you can transfer to the MSc Drug Discovery and Toxicology Advanced Route.
What will I study?
Throughout the course, you'll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the drug discovery process and the role of toxicology in developing safe medicines.
The course comprises four taught modules and a project module. In Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology students study the essential aspects of these topics that provide a necessary background for contemporary drug discovery. A focus on immunology reflects the growing understanding of the contribution of this area to disease and hence novel opportunities for drug discovery.
The Translational Medicine module explores the process of drug discovery with a particular emphasis on translation, developing molecules that will eventually work in human patients as well as in a laboratory. Molecular Medicine explores with he emphasis on recent examples of chemical and biological approaches to developing 21st Century medicines.
Contemporary Topics in Drug Discovery and Toxicology provides a focus on recent developments in drug safety science. A problem-based learning approach is integral to develop advanced critical analysis and group working skills in students’ on the programme.
You'll have the opportunity to complete a laboratory based research project in you chosen area of interest ranging across options in toxicology and pharmacology of drug discovery.
Currently available projects include:
- Gastrointestinal pharmacology
- Angiogenesis
- Cancer
- Molecular pharmacology of vascular disease
- Diabetic neuropathic pain
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Toxicology of new smoking devices
- Toxicology of novel psychoactive substances
Key staff
Dr Chris Benham
Head of Pharmacology
Find out more about Dr Chris Benham
Dr John Skamarauskas
Contemporary topics in Drug Discovery and Toxicology Module Lead
Dr Lisa Lione
Associate Professor, Translational Medical Science Module Lead
Find out more about Dr Lisa Lione
Dr Mike Kelly
Dr Sara Pritchard
Dr Shori Thakur
Find out more about Dr Shori Thakur
Further course information
| Course fact sheets | |
|---|---|
| MSc Drug Discovery and Toxicology - Extended (Revised 2024) | Download |
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| MSc Drug Discovery and Toxicology - Extended (Revised 2024) | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
Mandatory |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |