Pharmacology

Why study this course?

This course focuses on how chemical compounds interact with living systems, looking particularly at drugs and their effects on disease. If you want to be involved in developing or testing new safe drugs for illnesses, or the analysis of pharmacological data, this practical degree will teach you the key laboratory and analytical skills in our cutting-edge Science Centre and in the classroom.

More about this course

You’ll learn about the way molecules act on receptors to produce particular effects in the body, and use this information to understand how compounds can be used to treat disease. You’ll look at examples such as the way antipsychotic drugs are used to treat schizophrenia and the types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. You’ll also study drug development and screening, as well as how to best analyse pharmacological data.

You’ll learn through a combination of lectures and tutorials, online facilities and practical sessions in our state-of-the-art £30 million Science Centre. You’ll complete an independent research project in your final year and also have the option to undertake a work placement in the industry to gain real, hands-on experience and boost your CV.

What our students say

“I really enjoyed the Pharmacology course and a huge part of this was due to excellent lab facilities. I found lecturers and tutors helpful, and they were able to engage me in the subjects they taught. I can truly say that I'm glad that I've chosen this university and course."

“I would recommend London Met not only because of the great opportunities it offers to students but also because the lecturers are passionate and dedicated to forming the next generation of scientists. Additionally, London Met is a vast, multicultural and very enriching place to study; I would definitely recommend it. The course prepared me very well for a career in science and offered me all the necessary tools and opportunities to become what I always wanted to be.”

Course Modules

Modules listed are subject to change. For full, up-to-date module details please visit the course page on the University website.

Year 1 modules include:

Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 1 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 2 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits);
Biochemistry (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

Principles of Pharmacodynamics (core, 15 credits);
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits);
Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits);
Metabolism (core, 15 credits);
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (core, 15 credits);
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits);
Human Immunity (core, 15 credits);
Microbiology (core, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include:

Systems Pharmacology (core, 15 credits);
Toxicology (core, 15 credits);
Research Project (core, 30 credits);
Project (core, 30 credits);
Biochemical Pathology (core, 15 credits);
Neuropharmacology (core, 15 credits);
Systems Pathology (option, 15 credits);
Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling (option, 15 credits);
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions (option, 15 credits);
Virology (option, 15 credits);
Medical Genetics (option, 15 credits);
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits);
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semisolids (option, 15 credits);
Sandwich Placement (option, 30 credits);
Work Placement (option, 15 credits)