Bachelor of Science (Honours) BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology
Course Overview
-
4
Years
-
8
Level
-
360
Points
-
US865
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
Pharmacology is the branch of science concerned with the study of how drugs interact with cells, tissues and organisms. It also involves the study of how drugs are discovered, their sources and their chemical properties. On completing the BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology degree programme, the following career avenues and sectors are available to you:
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Toxicologist
• Clinical Research Associate (CRO)
• Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
• Biotechnology sector
• Chemical safety and toxicology
• MSc/PhD and a career as a medical or a life-science research scientist
• Higher Education sector
• Professional Masters in Education (PME)
• Graduate Medicine/Veterinary
In this Podcast, Dr. McCormack discusses the brand new Pharmacology degree programme and the incredible opportunities available to students. Dr. McCormack discusses the teaching styles, the career opportunities, the modules students will take and lots more.
New STEM Building in the Faculty of Science and Health:
A new STEM building will open in the Faculty of Science and Health in TUS Midlands in 2024, as part of the Department of Education and Skills €200 million investment. The state of the art STEM building will provide an excellent teaching space, with ultra-modern laboratories and instrumentation to support this new BSc(Hons) degree programme in Pharmacology.
Research in Pharmacology:
Within TUS, there is a strong ethos for linking research to teaching, an important point which is increasingly being highlighted as best practice by learning institutions worldwide. Year 4 students of the programme also have the opportunity to participate in one of the annual regional conferences of the Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Network.
What will I experience?
You will study modules which will cover the following topics:
• Drug use in health and disease
• Drug-receptor theory
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Drug effects on physiological and pathophysiological processes
• Pharmacogenomics
• Toxicological principles and their application in safety pharmacology
• Principles of translational research and experimental medicine
• Analytical methods and statistical tools used to interpret pharmacological data
• The scientific method
• Methods for investigating the pharmacokinetic effects of drugs
• Drugs as tools in pharmacology research
• Reduction, refinement and replacement (3Rs) regarding the use of animals in research
• The pivotal role of pharmacology as an element of the multidisciplinary nature of all of the stages of drug discovery and development
• Clinical trials design principles
• The application of pathophysiological knowledge to providing insights into novel drug targets and therapeutic avenues
• Gene modification techniques as a drug discovery and development tool
• Commercial drug discovery techniques
• Drug quality, safety and efficacy regulations
• The effects of drug product formulation on drug substance action
• Challenges associated with developing and testing the safety and effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches (e.g., anti-cancer drugs, antiviral agents etc.)
• Ethical principles of research, clinical trials and the use of animals
• How pharmacology relates to societal challenges and public health
• The impact of pharmacology on patient care with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines (e.g., antibiotics)
• The potential career paths afforded by a pharmacology degree
What opportunities might it lead to?
Opportunities for graduates from the BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology include employment across several different sectors (toxicology, medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological) in addition to a variety of options to furthering their education at MSc or PhD level in a cognate area.
Additional Information
For additional information about this Level 8 undergraduate programme, please contact:
Head of Department: Dr Carmel Kealey, Head of Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology, Tel. +353 (0)906468081; email: ckealey@ait.ie
Programme Coordinator: Dr Natasha McCormack, e-mail: nmccormack@ait.ie
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 4 Years
- CAO Course Code:
- US865
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- 360
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 8
- Department:
- Dept of Life & Physical Sciences
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Grade H5 in two higher- level subjects, Grade 05 in Mathematics at ordinary level, plus three subjects at Grade O6 at ordinary level. Subjects to include a language (English or Irish).
QQI: Any major QQI award with three distinctions and a pass in C20139 or 5N1833 or C20174 or C2017 or Leaving Certificate Mathematics at O5/H7.
Lecturer Testimonial
Dr. Natasha McCormack - BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology Programme Coordinator
This is an exciting new course involving a stimulating learning environment. Throughout the four years you will develop skills you will use in the real working world. Pharmacology is challenging, but I can promise you it is very interesting and stimulating
Lecturer Testimonial
Dr. Anne Marie O'Brien
A core element of this programme will be delivered by Team-Based Learning (TBL), which is a structured form of small-group learning that emphasises student preparation out of class and application of knowledge in class.
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
On completing the BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology degree programme, the following career avenues and sectors are available to you:
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Toxicologist
• Clinical Research Associate (CRO)
• Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
• Biotechnology sector
• Chemical safety and toxicology
• MSc/PhD and a career as a medical or a life-science research scientist
• Higher Education sector
• Professional Masters in Education (PME)
• Graduate Medicine/Veterinary
Work Placement
Each learner will be required to complete a minimum of 20 weeks in an industrial or relevant placement working a minimum of 35 hours per week. This takes place in Semester 6 in Year 3.
Further Study
Graduates from the BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology will be academically well prepared to enrol on a research degree programme (MSc/PhD) at TUS or in other third-level Institutes. Graduates will also be qualified to undertake a variety of taught MSc programmes.
MSc/PgDip Biopharmaceutical Technology
Master of Science/Post Graduate Diploma
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