PHARMACOLOGY BSc/MSci at University of Glasgow

Pharmacology is the study of drugs: not just medicines, but also substances produced within the body, such as hormones. It also encompasses the study of food additives, agricultural compounds such as insecticides, and even animal venoms and toxins.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

YEAR 1

You will be given a general introduction to all aspects of modern biology and taught general scientific skills.

YEAR 2

In semester 1, you will develop your knowledge of fundamental aspects of biology. In semester 2, you will be introduced to specialist subject areas according to your interests (eg animal biology; biomolecular sciences; human biology; infection biology).

YEARS 3, 4 AND 5

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study the principles of pharmacology and the effects and mechanisms of the major drugs, and undertake specialised study of molecular, cardiovascular and neuro-pharmacology. In year 3, you will learn the basic principles of quantitative pharmacology, practical skills and laboratory techniques.

The fourth-year course includes a core course, three ten-week long Honours option courses and a research project with the results sometimes contributing to scientific publications. By the end of year 4 you should be familiar with all aspects of drug action and be able to originate hypotheses for new experiments, and to design and execute experiments to test them.

You can take Pharmacology as an MSci, which includes an additional placement year, between the third and final years of the degree, normally doing research in industry or a research institute in the UK or overseas. 

The available final-year optional courses may change each year and students are not guaranteed a place on a particular option.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme.