This course is an innovative, industry-orientated taught Masters programme offering a broad coverage of the pharmaceutical sciences with scope for developing a specialisation in pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis or drug design.

 

In the context of current global pharmaceutical R&D, the course covers advanced pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis, drug design, pharmacology, the biology of disease, proteomics and pharmacogenomics. You will also cover regulatory processes for medicines, in line with ICH guidelines. It is a direct response to employers’ search for postgraduates who have the optimum mix of theoretical and practical skills to be able to make an immediate contribution to frontline modern drug development.

 

The course mixes taught elements in a compact timetable with self-directed research. The topic of the project or dissertation is designed collaboratively to fit both your personal interests and the expertise of Sunderland's supportive tutors. It will involve typical industry-style problem solving perhaps even with pharmaceutical company partnership.

 

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, open learning, laboratory work and group work. The Masters project may involve collaboration with a pharmaceutical or related company. Previous projects have involved collaborations with the British Pharmacopoeia and companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Helena Biosciences, ThermoScientific and Agilent Technologies.

 

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working and problem solving. Assessment methods include laboratory reports, oral presentations, case studies, critical reviews, examinations and the Masters project.