Work in industry-standard facilities to get an introduction to pharmaceuticals from drug discovery to manufacture, and learn to use the tools needed for their analysis.
Study in state-of-the-art facilities, developing the skills you need to operate common analytical laboratory instruments.
Learn to obtain and interpret analytical information from a variety of products.
Apply good experimental design techniques and use statistical methods for data evaluation.
Analyse and interpret data with industry-standard management systems.
Understand the background of drug design and development, and the wider industry.

On this course, you'll learn the skills required of an analyst and become familiar with the principles of modern instrumental analytical techniques, methods and statistics. You'll study the practice and theory of the field, and consider the pharmaceutical industry in detail.

Laboratory experience and research project

To supplement the classroom activities there is a programme of laboratory classes. Your laboratory work is carried out in our teaching laboratories which are extensively equipped with the latest models of analytical instruments, such as HPLCs and GCs. This is supplemented by access to our research facilities where you have access to more sophisticated equipment, such as NMR and a suite of various types of mass spectrometers.

You will have the opportunity to conduct a semester-long investigative research project within the field of pharmaceutical analysis. This work will take place in cutting-edge, industry-standard laboratories and teaching labs under the supervision of world-renowned active research staff.

This work will be aligned with the current research interests of an academic member of staff within our specialist Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre. The project will include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research project, the development of a project proposal, design of research methods and the analysis, presentation and interpretation of experimental data.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Throughout the course, you'll learn the fundamentals of analytical chemistry and how it is applied to pharmaceutical, environmental and materials analyses. You’ll work in industry-standard laboratories and teaching laboratories, alongside research-active staff who are renowned in their field.

You learn how to develop methods to determine the levels of active ingredients and contaminants in pharmaceutical preparations. You will understand regulations governing the analysis which demand that you work under a strict quality assurance and quality control regimes. 

Modules may include Separation and Detection Science, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, and Biopharmaceuticals and Drug Discovery.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars
• academic advice
• a programme of laboratory classes
• full semester research project

This course prepares you for a career in

• the pharmaceutical industry
• academic or industrial research
• quality assurance
• analytical laboratories

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work as

• methods development scientists
• drug development scientists
• compliance officers
• PhD students

 

A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with a 2:2 are also actively encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Advanced Laboratory And Research Practice	30	Coursework
Applied Laboratory Practice	15	Coursework
Biopharmaceuticals And Drug Discovery	15	Coursework Exam
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery	15	Coursework Exam
Research Project	60	Coursework
The Analytical Approach	15	Coursework Exam

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Forensic Drug Analysis	15	Coursework
Innovations In Analytical Science	15	Coursework
Separation And Detection Science	15	Coursework Exam
Surface Analysis And Related Techniques	15	Coursework Exam