MPharm Pharmacy

Title:

Fundamentals of Physiology

Code:

PM1A

Convenor:

DR Leanne Black

Summary:

An understanding of human physiology is essential for pharmacists as it allows students to understand the normal function of the human body and therefore the basis of therapeutic agents and lifestyle interventions. The module will also provide an important basis from which to understand the pathophysiology associated with the systems and the therapeutics studied in later modules. In order to understand the function of physiological systems, it is crucial to understand the structure of mammalian cells and how this relates to cellular functions, many of which are targeted therapeutically. These concepts are introduced within the first part of the module. In parallel, gene function and basic science of single celled organisms (microbiology) is taught to illustrate the difference between complex multicellular organisms and microbes and help to introduce the role of microorganisms in pathophysiology. After developing an understanding of the basic cell biology, the module then introduces physiology of major organ systems using the concept of homeostasis and the disruption of homeostasis as the basis of illness; a concept also developed through later modules. To support this understanding, greater detail is provided for biochemical and metabolic pathways that underlie these processes. At the end of this module students will have achieved the fundamental knowledge that is required to understand therapeutics, pharmaceutics and major public health issues studied in later years within the MPharm programme.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Practical 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Medicines Discovery, Design, Development and Delivery

Code:

PM1B

Convenor:

DR John Brazier

Summary:

This module introduces students to the chemical and pharmaceutical science concepts that underpin the design and formulation of medicines; how medicines are sourced, developed and manufactured, and how the quality of these medicines is assured, as part of ensuring patient safety. This includes an introduction to natural and synthetic products, structural and synthetic chemistry for organic and inorganic drug discovery, and aspects affecting the physical and chemical properties of drugs. Students gain practical skills in the extemporaneous formulation of medicines and performing pharmaceutical calculations. The theme of quality and safety in the manufacture of medicines and their delivery to the patient is continued as students are introduced to the processes of dispensing medicines, using knowledge and skills relating to prescription assessment and patient consultation developed in PM1C.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Practical 20%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introduction to Professionalism and Practice

Code:

PM1C

Convenor:

DR Hisham Al-Obaidi

Summary:

This module acts as the introduction to the MPharm programme, supporting students as they adapt to University study and introducing them to the role of pharmacists in healthcare and concepts of professional practice. The roles of other pharmacy staff and the wider team of healthcare professionals, and the importance of multidisciplinary working are highlighted. The pharmacy-related legal, regulatory and organisational frameworks and landscapes are introduced, as are the concepts of medicines optimisation and clinical governance. Patient-centred care is identified as a core aspect of pharmacy, and students will start to develop their communication and consultation skills, with an introduction to responding to minor ailments and a particular focus on advising patients on use of non-prescription and prescription-only medicines. Social and behavioural aspects of pharmacy are introduced, relating how these factors can impact on the health and wellbeing of a community. The concept of pharmacists as lifelong learners is considered with the use of reflective practice to inform future learning objectives and the continuation of professional development. This module is fully integrated with PM1B (Medicines Discovery, Design, Development and Delivery) with key topics and themes overlapping in workshops and assessments.

Assessment Method:

Exam 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Therapeutics and medicines optimisation A2: Molecules and Medicines

Code:

PM2A2

Convenor:

DR Sam Bizley

Summary:

PM2A2 (30 credits): With an emphasis on the therapeutic areas of infection and infection control, this module takes the student through the journey of drug discovery, drug action, design of medicines and patient-centred care. The module looks at how chemical structure impacts on activity and on medicine stability, choice of dosage form and advice given to patients by practising pharmacists. Drug design and discovery is discussed for both synthetic and natural products and includes metal-based medicines. Students are taught about the safe handling of materials, including aseptic preparations and quality assurance. Basic statistics is taught and its relevance exemplified with respect to understanding clinical trial data and research papers. Analytical science skills, initially introduced in Part 1, are developed further to introduce more advanced analytical methods and their use in drug discovery and quality control processes. Practical classes cover a breadth of skills from across all cognate disciplines and our Part 2 practical class programme is fully integrated across all modules.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Report 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation B: A Journey Through the GI Tract

Code:

PM2B

Convenor:

DR Elena Kabova

Summary:

This module teaches many broad aspects of Pharmacy, introducing administration routes of medicines, use of excipients and pharmacokinetic concepts. The module focuses particularly on the gastrointestinal tract, from the oromucosa, to the rectum. Students learn about: the normal structure and function of the GI tract; pathology of diseases that affect it and how they are managed therapeutically; how medicines are delivered to, and through, the GI tract; and pharmaceutical care and patient management issues. The formulations employed for administration to the GI tract (e.g. tablets, capsules, oral solutions/suspension etc.) are thoroughly analysed within this module. Drug delivery concepts include local administration to the mouth, stomach and colon, alongside sublingual, enteral and rectal systemic delivery, covering biopharmaceutics concepts related to the GI tract. Physicochemical concepts, and opportunities for the design and synthesis of known and novel drugs, are illustrated throughout. Patient management issues include responding to symptoms, social and behavioural pharmacy (e.g. patient concordance) and health promotion (e.g. obesity management and nutritional advice).

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Project 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Therapeutics and medicines optimisation C2: Therapeutics and Patient care

Code:

PM2C2

Convenor:

DR Silvia Amadesi

Summary:

This module introduces students to concepts of pharmacology and also integrates physiology, chemistry, therapeutics and practice with a focus on respiratory, cardiovascular and renal diseases. The module includes core science concepts in the areas of physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, formulation and synthetic chemistry, and pharmacy practice. Training in clinical pharmacology concepts is supported by practical classes, integrated therapeutics and practice workshops and problem-based learning exercises. Students will learn about: how drugs act in the human body to give wanted and unwanted effects, how these effects may be achieved or prevented depending on the choice of dosage form selected, advice given to patients and patient compliance. These integrated activities will require the use of the knowledge and understanding acquired in respiratory, cardiovascular and renal therapeutics, as well as in other areas of pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice. Together, these will help the development of an understanding of key therapeutic areas and associated pharmaceutical and pharmacy practice issues. Science and practice concepts from all cognate disciplines that link to therapeutic topics are taught. This includes: physiology and pathology of respiratory, cardiovascular and renal systems, medicine development and delivery, medicines management (e.g. case study solving; care plan compilation), responding to symptoms and patient-centered care and counselling (e.g. smoking cessation; use of devices for correct delivery of inhaled drugs).

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Oral 8%, Report 8%, Class test 15%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Delivering Pharmacy Services

Code:

PM2D

Convenor:

DR Rosemary Lim

Summary:

This module focuses on pharmacy practice concepts and skills development, building on themes introduced in PM1B and PM1C, for example:

• interpreting and assessing prescriptions,
• dispensing,
• NHS and health policy affecting pharmacy,
• medicines-related legislation and
• community pharmacy services.

The module also introduces alternative medicines and hospital pharmacy, teaching skills such as monitoring of drug therapies, medicines reconciliation and pharmaceutical care.

The examples used in class are aligned to the Part 2 main therapeutic topics and pharmaceutical chemistry and drug delivery concepts are integrated into lectures and workshops where relevant.

These skills will be put into practice through placement experience in structured hospital visits. Science and practice-focused calculation skills are revisited in workshops and assessed summatively.

The module also considers patient-centred care, developing communication skills whilst considering social, environmental, lifestyle and cultural factors that impact on health.

In addition, the module will also build on teaching received on leadership in Part 1 to focus in depth, key skills and practice relating to working in a variety of pharmacy roles particularly community and hospital pharmacy. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Assignment 10%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation D

Code:

PM3A

Convenor:

DR Angela Bithell

Summary:

This module brings into context material taught in Part 2 modules involving analytical and formulation science and therapeutics. It initially focuses teaching around the therapeutic area of immunology and infections (building on microbiology and infections material taught in Part 1 and 2), allergy, immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease. The module then introduces medical conditions related to reproductive health (which is linked to endocrinology teaching in PM3B), the skin/dermatology, eye, ear, nose and throat. Each topic includes aspects of physiology, pathology, disease management and prevention, medicine design and patient management. In addition, tissue engineering for skin and eye conditions is introduced. Medicines design is considered for local administration and systemic delivery via the administration routes relevant to the systems covered here (e.g. topical administration through the skin, eyes and ears and vaginal administration of medicines), using appropriate examples that link to PM3B and PM3C. Basic First Aid including CPR and use of defibrillators is also covered.

Assessment Method:

Exam 30%, Assignment 10%, Project 10%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation E

Code:

PM3B

Convenor:

PROF Sakthi Vaiyapuri

Summary:

This module focuses on the therapeutic areas of endocrine disorders, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, central and peripheral nervous systems, and cancer. The aetiology, pathology, pharmacology and treatments of these conditions are considered. The material is explicitly linked to the therapeutic areas covered in Part 2 and other Part 3 modules, where appropriate. Medicinal, organic and metal-based chemistry concepts and advanced pharmaceutical skills are taught in the context of these therapeutic areas using case studies, integrated workshops and practicals. Numeracy skills are further developed with quantitative aspects of pharmacokinetics that are brought into context through case studies. In this module, conventional treatments are considered alongside natural products and alternative therapies. In addition, aspects of social pharmacy and skills such as responding to symptoms and improving public health are advanced.

Assessment Method:

Exam 30%, Assignment 10%, Set exercise 10%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Delivering Pharmacy Services 2

Code:

PM3C

Convenor:

MR Rav Savania

Summary:

This module focuses on the clinical and professional skills required by a pharmacist to be able to deliver pharmacy services safely and effectively to benefit patients. It uses therapeutic examples that link to the other Part 3 modules to provide a patient-centred context for learning. In this module, practice concepts are developed beyond the level provided in Part 2, with themes including pharmacy law, regulation and ethics, clinical governance (including audit) and medicines safety, pharmacy services (including the processes involved in setting up formularies and delivering medicines to the patient) and interprofessional working. The module also considers the psychological and behavioural aspects of health and medicines use, again using examples associated with therapeutic systems encountered thus far in the programme. Professional skills are developed towards OSCE and prescription processing assessments. Students will complete a one-week placement in either community or hospital pharmacy as part of this module, during which they will be required to apply their knowledge and skills to patient care. They will also develop their consultation skills through patient interaction in supervised sessions at Royal Berkshire Hospitals Foundation Trust. The students will also apply and integrate their law, ethics and clinical knowledge to debate pharmacy-relevant cases. Reflective practice is an important aspect of this module, which includes assessment of the Personal & Academic Development Portfolio. As students start to focus on applications for pre-registration training, careers support is provided through this module in taught sessions provided by the University’s Careers, Placement and Experience Centre.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 10%, Practical 20%, Oral 30%, Portfolio 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Pharmaceutical Research and Enquiry

Code:

PM4A

Convenor:

DR Graeme Cottrell

Summary:

This research-focused module provides students with the opportunity to take the lead on a research topic. The module is made up of three components:

1. development of research and enquiry skills,
2. attendance at research seminars upon which assessable pieces of coursework are undertaken and
3. a research project assessed by a project write-up, project performance, a poster session and a final project viva.

The module has an online component that introduces generic and discipline-specific advanced research skills. The online material will aid students in the execution of their research projects. Online material will enable students to learn about the research skills needed in their own time and cater for students undertaking projects abroad or away from the University.

The seminar series will comprise of talks given by staff on their own research areas. Based on these seminars, each student will be allocated three assignments, one from each of the three sections (Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacy Practice). The assignments will allow students to demonstrate the skills that they have learnt thus far and also demonstrate the application of ‘theory into practice’.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 30%, Practical 5%, Oral 5%, Project 10%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Advanced Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice

Code:

PM4B

Convenor:

MISS Kate Fletcher

Summary:

This module focuses on the integration of knowledge and skills from previous years’ modules, and their application to a number of complex patient care scenarios. Students will consider a range of patient groups and the complications and pharmaceutical care considerations associated with each. Students will maintain their technical and clinical skills associated with each of the scenarios being addressed, and will integrate changes in the law into their clinical practice. Students will further their learning regarding the safe and effective delivery of pharmacy services and the management of these, whilst healthly living assessments (HLAs) will provide students with the opportunity to utilise their clinical skills in supporting patients to achieve healthy life-styles. Students will also gain experience of supporting the learning of others, through assisting in the facilitation of workshops and practicals for students in lower years. Interprofessional Learning will foster a collaborative approach to patient care alongside other members of the healthcare team.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Practical 30%, Oral 10%, Report 5%, Class test 5%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.