Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Pharmacy - MPH

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Alternate Award Names

Pharmaceutical Studies

Accreditation

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

To inculcate an appreciation of pharmacy as a patient centred discipline and an understanding of the role of the pharmacist in a variety of professional settings. To provide knowledge of the chemical, physical and biological sciences appropriate to professional practice in pharmacy or generally in the pharmaceutical industries, research or education. To provide knowledge of legal and administrative arrangements, codes of practice and ethics and develop practical skills relevant to the profession of pharmacy. To facilitate the development of an ability to apply knowledge of basic scientific principles and/or legal and administrative arrangements to the solution of practical problems in a clinical setting and in industry and the pharmaceutical sciences. To provide knowledge of the planning and execution of research and the analysis of results obtained and to encourage a critical approach to published research leading to evidence-based decision-making skills. To facilitate the development of problem solving skills. To facilitate the development of an ability to work both independently and as a team member. To facilitate the development of all forms of communication skills. To prepare students for life-long learning and continuing professional development. To prepare students for entry into the pre-registration training required for registration by the GPhC. To encourage students to fully engage with the Career Smart programme

Learning Outcomes

1.
Explain aspects of chemistry relevant to the structure, isolation, purification, synthesis, chemical reactivity and biological activity of drugs, biotechnology, the quality control of medicinal products and the quantification of drugs in medicines and biological fluids.
2.
Explain the relevant health policy and pharmaco-economics.
3.
Explain the types and relevance of complementary therapies.
4.
Explain the drug and substance abuse and the relevant issues.
5.
Demonstrate the ability to arrive at an understanding of complex issues which require the assembly, assimilation, critical analysis and synthesis of a wide range of information.
6.
Demonstrate creativity in the production of solutions to complex problems, especially in the practice setting.
7.
Demonstrate the design and assessment of research and analysis of data.
8.
Conduct standard laboratory procedures and operate instruments likely to be met in the practice setting or laboratory.
9.
Safely handle potentially dangerous materials and assess risks.
10.
Store and supply medicines applying pharmaceutical knowledge and in accordance with legal and administrative requirements and ethics.
11.
Accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations and use units appropriately.
12.
Explain the relevance of physical chemistry including chemical kinetics and drug stability.
13.
Apply pharmaceutical principles and clinical governance to the formulation, preparation and packaging of products dispensed (including those prepared extemporaneously).
14.
Recognise common disease states and respond appropriately.
15.
Advise patients and other health care professionals on the use of medicines.
16.
Report adverse reactions to medicinal products.
17.
Perform diagnostic testing, health screening and engage in health promotion.
18.
Manage themselves in accordance with the GPhC's Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students.
19.
Demonstrate library skills - information retrieval from primary and secondary sources.
20.
Demonstrate the use of information and communications technology including word processing, the use of spread sheets and online information searching.
21.
Demonstrate the effective dissemination of information in oral and written form to a specialist or lay audience.
22.
Demonstrate ability to work effectively either independently or as a member of a team Self-motivation, planning strategies and efficient time management.
23.
Explain all stages of drug development, assessment of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness marketing.
24.
Demonstrate the capacity for independent learning that will be required for continuing professional development.
25.
Explain the formulation and manufacture of medicinal products including sterile products, general and microbiological quality control and packaging and labelling.
26.
Demonstrate how physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics and nutrition leading to an understanding of disease processes and how drugs are used to prevent, ameliorate or cure such conditions.
27.
Demonstrate how the processes by which drugs are absorbed into, distributed around and eliminated from the body.
28.
Explain and identify adverse drug reactions and drug interactions.
29.
Explain the law and ethics as relevant to the supply of medicines and administrative arrangements within the NHS.
30.
Explain social and behavioural sciences as relevant to pharmacy practice.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Learning is facilitated by a variety of methods. These methods include practicals (clinical and laboratory),workshops in the pharmacy clinical suites, tutorials, computer aided learning, simulation, asynchronous online directed-study and a mixture of online or face-to-face lectures, with expectations for further directed and self-directed independent study. Periods of professional placement across the pharmacy sectors will be provided. A variety of assessment methods are used, these include competencies, coursework and examinations. Formative assessment and feedback will be provided for all types of assessment. Coursework will consist of reports, posters and presentations relating to theoretical and practice-based topics, case-studies or laboratory exercises. Examinations will be based on multiple choice questions and extended multiple items to mirror the GPhC pre-registration examinations. Competencies will consist of practical dispensing tests, Objective Structured Laboratory Assessments (OSLAs) and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs),examination of pharmacy law and numeracy, and a reflective professional portfolio including personal/professional development planning. The portfolio requires students to demonstrate the acquisition of a full range of key skills. Performance in workshops, tutorials and group assignments is both formatively and summatively assessed by tutor and may also be subject to peer group assessment. Research projects are assessed by seminars, poster production and written reports and for group research, peer assessment will also be used. Learning activities will include practice-based activities (interprofessional learning, clinical and communication simulations, patient-student engagement),individual report production, group assignments, library projects and professional learning days throughout the programme and a research project is undertaken at Level 7. Effective work and study practices are introduced in face-to-face and online lectures and workshops and embedded into the Level 4 module. Computer literacy is embedded within all modules at all levels of the programme. Development of skills in the dissemination of information and communication is facilitated by the preparation and presentation of seminars and the production of written reports. At all levels, group projects, reports and practical exercises necessitate team working. A large element of independent private study is embedded within each module and students are supported in developing the skills to become independent learners by the end of Level 7.

Opportunities for work related learning

Large proportions of the curriculum at every level of the programme are directly relevant to the work of a pharmacist and are delivered in a manner that closely simulates real working conditions and real-life problems/tasks. 

Simulation of Practice Placements:
Pharmacy students will have regular opportunities to apply learning to practice scenarios in our on campus patient simulation suite and also remotely through virtual patient software. These opportunities allow students to develop confidence in a safe environment in workforce-relevant pharmacist skills including communication skills, clinical assessment skills, prescribing skills and decision making.

Work-Force Placements:
Pharmacy students will attend placements under the supervision of pharmacists (primarily) and other healthcare professionals in the workplace, where they will further develop their practice-based skills and confidence providing care for real patients. The majority of placements will be in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and in primary care settings, with additional opportunities in other specialist sectors where pharmacists work to provide broader context to professional development. Placements may be observational (to introduce students to the work environment) or integrated into the curriculum and the workforce (i.e. participating in patient care).

Students are also strongly encouraged to find additional self-sourced work experience in pharmacy settings outside of the curriculum, e.g. during the summer break.

 

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

The programme is offered as a 4 year programme of full time study only. It is organised as 4 levels of study each corresponding to one year of the programme. The programme is based on a two semester academic year. A total of 480 credits is required for the award … For more content click the Read More button below. This version of the programme is for students entering level 7 in 2023. Students entering level 5 or level 6 in 2023 will transfer to the programme structure described in version 2023.01 for subsequent levels.

Structure

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Approved variance from Academic Framework Regulations

This programme has the following variances to the Academic Framework, approved by Education Committee in June 2018: 1. A module size of 120 credits is permitted at levels 4-7 This requirement relates to the framework for Pharmacy education and integrated nature of the programme. (GPhC standard 5.1, 5.5a) 2. Component … For more content click the Read More button below.

Entry Requirements

A levels

Alternative qualifications considered

BTECs

International Baccalaureate

Other international requirements

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH02-02) pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy