Medical Pharmacology (BSC)

During your foundation year the teaching will be interactive and varied, combining academic skill development with engaging subject-based learning in areas such as biology and chemistry. You’ll explore ideas through discussion, group work, practical activities and independent study, with opportunities to build confidence in communication, critical thinking, creativity and evidence-based analysis – all designed to help you transition confidently through university study.  

In Year One, some modules are specifically devoted to training and practice of written, poster and oral presentation of scientific data. Year Two includes a dedicated ‘practical-only’ module and a ‘research techniques’ module, designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice in pharmacology.

If you choose to study the BSc Medical Pharmacology with a foundation year (and Professional Placement), you will follow an experiential Professional Placement lasting 9-12 months. This time will be spent within a single organisation, giving greater scope for the project work.

In the Final Year, high level critical and investigative skills are developed through presentations and a research project. A 10-credit module is also devoted entirely to training in evaluation of scientific literature.

All Final Year modules require a high level of independent study of published material.

How will I be assessed?

The assessments in the foundation year will support you in the transition from prior learning through to university level study, featuring examples of the types of assessment you will complete throughout your academic career, such as written coursework, group assignments, class tests, exams, and other forms of assessment.

Following the foundation year, your knowledge and understanding are assessed through a variety of exam formats designed to test the depth, breadth, accumulation and application of pharmacological knowledge.

Assessments are used throughout the programme to enhance learning to ensure your grasp of foundational concepts. Assessments will support independent and lifelong learning and are designed to put you at the heart of the learning process and to help you take ownership for your own learning. You will be supported in assessments by members of module teams and personal tutors.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• the scope and range of pharmacological preparations, their origins, development and use.
• the related disciplines of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and  molecular biology as relevant to understanding and investigating pharmacology.
• how the different systems of the body interact to maintain homeostasis, respond to environmental challenges, undertake physical and mental activity in health and in disease, and the role of drugs in modulating these processes.
• the principles that underpin drug development, safety evaluation and the practice of evidence-based therapeutics.
• how knowledge has advanced in selected areas of pharmacology by evaluating experimental evidence from the scientific literature.

Intellectual Skills:

• Performing and interpreting statistical analyses of data.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Studying at this degree should provide you with a wealth of skills and abilities you can apply to any professional setting.  In addition to greater conceptual understanding of current knowledge, issues and methods, you will practice and develop abilities in critical analysis, the application of evidence based medicine and in dealing with complex issues systematically and creatively.  Your studies should also help you develop your problem-solving and decision-making abilities by enabling you to utilise evidence effectively and communicate important concepts to colleagues and others. Through the research focused elements you will develop and enhance skills in literature review, critical evaluation, research design, research methodologies, data collection, data analysis and research principles.
• Practical Skills are promoted through fostering an interdisciplinary evidence based learning environment where professionals learn about best practice within their own profession and can also appreciate where their input and skills can be used effectively to complement those of other professionals involved with patient care.
• There is no direct practical assessment undertaken within the course (other than assessment of communication skills). Assessment through reflection allows the student to demonstrate their ability to translate the research evidence into the working environment and objectively, critically appraise their own practice in the light of this evidence.  The development of excellent communication skills is encouraged throughout the course with students given the opportunity to learn, practice and develop these skills, which are wholly transferrable to other areas.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Developing good interview techniques.
• Developing good communication skills (using all media).
• Showing awareness of ethical issues relating to biological sciences.
• Working effectively as an individual and in a team.
• Demonstrating effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Enhancing self-directed study.