Teaching blocks
In semester one you will explore the foundation science and professionalism that underpin pharmacy. There will be a combination of teaching, placement and assessments. They all interlink to help get the most out of a simulated patient environment as a pharmacist.
This semester also supports your transition to living and studying university.
You will be introduced to our integrated drug, medicine and patient (DMP) teaching blocks in semester two. There will be two core blocks of teaching combined with a variety of hospital-themed placements with a group presentation and a write-up task structured into your timetable.
You will have exams in January and May.
To finish year one, you will undertake a two week professional development or careers focused training session which incorporates everything you have learned from year one.
Semester one
Fundamentals of Pharmacy
You will learn the core skills needed as a pharmacist. You'll understand the role of a pharmacist in healthcare. This is covered through three main areas:
- Fundamental concepts in science relating to drugs
- Medicine design
- Professional and clinical pharmacy
You will be taught how to handle with accuracy and precision the dispensing of medicines, calculations and laboratory skills.
Future responsibilities of a healthcare professional will be introduced. Such as, protection of the public, ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, and being an expert in drugs and medicines.
You will learn the different roles of pharmacists in hospitals, primary care organisations, community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry. You'll be shown ways of working in interdisciplinary teams to optimise the treatment of patients.
Semester two
Human Life Cycle
The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and prescribing for patients at different stages of the Human Life Cycle.
The topics covered in this teaching block include:
- Evolutionary basis of sex
- The physiological basis of sexual attraction
- Physiological and pharmacokinetic changes during stages of the Human Life Cycle, and their impact on medicines use
- Conception, contraception and infertility, including ethical and moral considerations
- Pregnancy - testing and prescribing in
- Embryo development, sexual differentiation, foetal physiology and nutrition
- Breast-feeding, nursing, and prescribing for it
- Children medicines development and prescribing for it
- Older patients - prescribing and the concept of deprescribing
- End of life care and prescribing for it
- The use of off-label and unlicensed medicines
Digestive System
The topics covered in this teaching block include:
- Anatomy of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and structure and function of the liver
- How a pharmacist treats and prescribes drugs to patients with GI and liver diseases
- Influences on absorption of drugs and nutrients within the GI
- Intestinal and hepatic metabolic pathways
- The role of normal GI bacteria
- Absorption of drugs and the role of dosage form properties that control absorption
- Identification and evaluation of appropriate methods to optimize oral delivery
- Identification of potential limits to oral delivery
- Identification of appropriate types of dosage forms for specific drugs
- Importance of nutritional therapy in these diseases
Professional competencies year one
In each year of the MPharm there is a professional competencies module. All of the competencies are taught in the other core teaching blocks.
These are to confirm that key elements of the course have been assessed and passed.
These are zero-credit teaching blocks that do not contribute to the marks of students. However, it is a requirement of progression to years 2, 3, 4 and to graduation that these teaching blocks are passed with a mark of 100%.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Thursday 11 August 2022.
Teaching blocks
The DMP teaching blocks continue to develop your integrated knowledge and understanding of how medicines work and their safe and effective use. Your professional skills and competencies will continue to develop through training in dispensing, law, ethics and pharmaceutical calculations.
In semester one there will be four core blocks of teaching. There will be a group assessment and exams too.
In semester two there will be four core blocks of teaching. There will be a mix of group and report assessments with exams in May.
Throughout year two you will take part in a variety of hospital and community placements. These visits are structured into your timetable.
To finish year two, you will undertake a two week professional development or career based assessment which incorporates everything you have learned from year two.
Semester one
Infections 1
Antibiotics and antifungals are among the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat infection. Therefore, it is important that pharmacists understand the underlying principles of these classes of drugs. Antibiotics are amongst the most commonly overprescribed drug by medical professionals. With the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, resulting in a serious threat to global public health.
You will have an appreciation of microbiology and infectious diseases, a deep understanding of the key classes of antimicrobial drugs, and detailed knowledge regarding antibiotic prescribing from a clinical pharmacy perspective.
On completion of the teaching block you should have a clear understanding of these key concepts and your role as pharmacists, as part of the healthcare team, in infection control and tackling global infection health issues.
This teaching block will provide a basic grounding in microbiology, common infectious diseases, mode of action and spectrum of antimicrobial agents, and how these drugs are delivered to and dealt with by the body. The teaching block will also cover antibiotic prescribing and dispensing, and infection control.
Examples of topics within the module include:
- Common bacterial and fungal infections and current treatment regimes.
- Targeted antimicrobial chemotherapy.
- Emerging resistance of microorganisms and future directions for antimicrobial strategies.
- Tuberculosis infection as a global infection health issue.
The teaching block also uses examples of antibiotics and antifungals to highlight key scientific concepts in the pharmacology, chemistry, ADME and pharmaceuticals of important classes of drugs.
Infections 2
Viruses and Parasites present special challenges for Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists. There are far less antiviral than anti-bacterial drugs; the same can be said for anthelminthics.
You will learn the basics on biology of viruses, protozan and metazoan parasites.
Pharmacies in the UK sell vaccinations against viral diseases (e.g. HepA, HepB, HPV) as well as prophylactic agents against malaria. You will gain a sound understanding of these pathogens and the drugs or vaccinations available for treatment. Key concepts will be reinforced in practicals and workshops in which you will learn how to design anti-viral drugs in silico and about the role of pharmacists during flu pandemics.
This teaching block aims to get you thinking about the available treatments for important viral and parasitic diseases. It will introduce tools and concepts enabling the quantitative assessment of socioeconomic impact of diseases.
On completion of this teaching block, you will be able to:
- understand the biological mechanisms employed by parasites to infect their hosts
- understand how such mechanisms are targeted by drugs
- understand the mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties of antiviral, antiprotozoan and anti-helminthic drugs
- describe the therapeutic usefulness of numerous classes of medicine in clinical use
- advise patients regarding travel medicines and immunisation
- provide advice on the management and prevention of sexually transmitted infections
- describe the therapeutic uses of the main antiviral and antiparasitic veterinary medicines.
Autoimmune Diseases
Learn breakthrough research in biology and pharmaceutical sciences underpinning current and future strategies for treating inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
You'll learn of the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with inflammatory disorders.
Optimising and advising about therapies, correct uses of devices and disease self-management will be highlighted to you as a frontline pharmacist. You will be able to assess appropriate management of these disorders in both mechanistic and clinical terms.
Treatment of inflammatory diseases will be illustrated by consideration of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. We aim to illustrate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these pathological states; how therapeutic intervention is designed to treat these states and how better medicines can be generated for these conditions.
Examples of topics within this teaching block include:
- The role of inflammatory cells.
- Current and future pharmacotherapies to treat inflammatory conditions; molecular and cellular targets.
- Delivery systems for pharmacotherapies and their appropriate usage and supply.
- The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with autoimmune disease .
Respiratory
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are amongst the most common disorders encountered by pharmacists which affect the respiratory system. Two other very common disorders both atopy and eczema will be highlighted in this teaching block too.
You'll be able to define the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these pathological states; how therapeutic intervention is designed to treat these states and how better medicines can be generated for these conditions.
Examples of topics within this teaching block include:
- The regulation of smooth muscle tone and mucus production; the role of inflammatory cells.
- Current and future pharmacotherapies to treat respiratory and inflammatory conditions; molecular and cellular targets.
- Delivery systems (inhalers, etc.) for pharmacotherapies and their appropriate usage and supply.
- The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with respiratory diseases.
Semester two
Renal
Learn the:
- biology of renal function
- symptoms of renal diseases
- Advanced renal pharmacokinetics
- presentation and management of symptoms relating to renal disease
- law and ethics relating to renal and endocrine topics - e.g. living organ donors
- role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with renal disease
You will know about the symptoms and management of renal diseases and will have a sound knowledge of the underlying, biology, pharmacology and chemistry, including the design of dosing devices and important ethical considerations.
Endocrine
You will be taught about the:
- biology of endocrine function
- symptoms of endocrine diseases
- chemistry and mechanism of action of peptide-based drugs (insulin as a key example)
- Physical and chemical properties of proteins relevant to formulation and manufacture of insulin products
- recombinant DNA technology
- presentation and management of symptoms relating to diabetes disease
- law and ethics relating to renal and endocrine topics - e.g. performance-enhancing drugs
- The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with endocrine diseases
You will learn a comprehensive coverage of pharmacy-relevant topics relating to endocrine diseases. Will understand how the key biological systems can malfunction to cause disease and how these diseases may be treatable by specific drug therapies.
Dermatology
Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients with mild skin problems. You will learn how to assist, diagnosis and treat patients with skin problems over the counter. You'll learn how to support patients with long term dermatological conditions.
Example of teaching content includes:
- Detailed patient history taking
- The formulation science underpinning the use of topical treatments
- Common skin conditions and infections
- The use of non-topical treatments for dermatological conditions
- The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of dermatological conditions
Upon completion you will be able to advise patients on self-care of skin conditions, refer patients for specialist investigation, and be able to consider how skin conditions vary according to skin tone.
Cardiovascular
Learn about health and diseases within the cardiovascular system. It includes key drug classes, from their fundamental science through to clinical usage.
Understand the evidence-based medicines which underpins therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. As a pharmacist in training, you'll learn evidence-based treatments and support treatments by appropriate patient counselling and lifestyle advice.
There will be case studies based on key problem questions that you will learn and investigate. The emphasis is on you to become self-seeking independent learners, with high level enquiry and critical skills.
Professional competencies year two
In each year of the MPharm there is a professional competencies teaching block. All of the competencies are taught in the other core teaching blocks.
These are to confirm that key elements of the course have been assessed and passed.
These are zero-credit teaching blocks that do not contribute to the marks of students. However, it is a requirement of progression to years 2, 3, 4 and to graduation that these teaching blocks are passed with a mark of 100%.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on
Teaching blocks
In semester one you will continue with the DMP themes, development of your professional skills and competencies and placement visits. There will be three core blocks of teaching. There will be a business group task and a medicine based assessments.
Semester two will be your Research Project and Prescribing teaching. There will be a mix of group and report assessments.
You will have exams in January and May.
Throughout year three you will attend a variety of placements like in a care home/hospice.
To finish year three, you will undertake a two week professional development or career based assessment which incorporates everything you have learned from year three.
Semester one
Pain
Everybody experiences pain at some time and a pharmacist, irrespective of the patient facing setting, encounters patients with pain several times each day. You will be provided with scientific background information to be able to understand and describe the clinical use of commonly used analgesics and targets for novel analgesics.
You'll discuss legal and ethical issues that contribute to appropriate and illicit analgesic use.
We will cover key aspects of the Interprofessional Pain Curriculum Outline as proposed by the International Association for the Study of Pain.
You'll learn areas such as:
- Mechanisms of pain transduction and transmission
- Relevant medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology and therapeutics of commonly used analgesics including paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- local anaesthetics, opioids, adjuvant analgesics and 5-HT1-receptor agonists (triptans)
- Epidemiology and presentation of commonly encountered types of pain
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and ethical issues that you will face when practising as a pharmacist
- The role of pharmacist in the treatment and prescribing to patients with pain
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Many of the most common and difficult to treat medical conditions affect the CNS and knowledge of how drugs can be used to alleviate these problems is required by all pharmacists.
You will build on these foundations to apply medicine use in complex ethical and therapeutic cases. By learning the key methods and philosophies of healthcare coaching, you will be equipped to conduct difficult mental health conversations.
We will teach you to understand and describe the pathophysiology of CNS disorders, different treatment pathways and the medicines used to treat them in a rational manner.
You'll cover areas such as:
- the basic anatomy and function of the CNS
- the signs, symptoms and origins of disorders of emotion and thinking
- neurodegenerative diseases and epilepsy
- the mechanisms of action and clinical pharmacology of the drugs used in their treatment
- drugs of abuse and associated approaches to treatment
- strategies employed to deliver drugs through the blood/brain barrier
- complex ethical challenges within patients suffering from Mental Health problems, incorporating the Mental Health capacity Act and Pharmacy professional standards
- advanced consultation skills required for patients suffering from Mental Health problems
Cancers
Address issues relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, and the professional and ethical issues concerning palliative care and the end of life.
In particular, you will be encouraged to think of cancers as a diverse group of genetic diseases which pose unique problems in their diagnosis and management.
Examples of a small number of cancer types will be used to illustrate key points which have broader relevance to cancer therapy and beyond.
You will cover areas such as:
- The biological hallmarks of cancer
- Classes of anti-cancer drug
- Cancer treatments and formulations
- Patient management and palliative care
- Epidemiology and Health Economics
- The role of the pharmacist in the treatment and management of patients with cancer, and patients at the end-of-life stage
Semester two
Pharmacy Research Project
Experience contemporary research methods by engaging yourself to design a research programme and perform experiments, surveys, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific pharmacy-related or biomedical problem.
The practical component of the project will provide an opportunity for you to carry out scientific research, and to relate the outcomes to scientific concepts and knowledge of the field. You will collect, analyse and interpret data, read and collate previous results relevant to their problem, presenting their research as a clear and concise report.
The form of project may vary and it may be based on laboratory work, clinical audit, or patient studies.
Academic supervisors will provide the topic of study and guidance on the project. You will be able to develop the theme of the dissertation in your own way.
You will be provided with an opportunity to use your initiative and knowledge in undertaking an original research study. With the aim to provide you with first-hand research experience and insights into scientific methodology, through the undertaking of a review of published work and experimental and/or computer-based work to investigate a selected topic, culminating in a written dissertation.
Practical projects are likely to involve the utilization of state-of-the-art instrumentation available in the Schools of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, whereas students undertaking clinical projects may be required to visit practice based settings.
Pharmaceutical Care and Prescribing (PCAP)
You will learn practices to prescribe, this will also consider diagnostics, deprescribing, medicines optimisation, medicines adherence, and transfer of care.
You'll cover areas such as:
- Law, accountability and ethics of prescribing
- Prescribing in a public health context
- Psychology of, and influences on, prescribing
- Prescribing in a team context
- Consultation, decision making and therapy including referral
- Pharmacology and therapeutics
- Organisational leadership in relation to prescribing
- Continuing professional development
We will prepare and support you on your journey to being able to prescribe safely and knowledgeably using the British National Formulary and other evidence-based medicines resources, following prescribing competency frameworks. The course will prepare you for future prescribing authority.
Optional
If you complete your research project in Nottingham, you will have 20 credits of optional teaching blocks to choose from. These can be from subjects outside of pharmacy. Past students have chosen topics such as entrepreneurship, introductory language training, English literature and scientific photography.
Professional competencies year three
In each year of the MPharm there is a professional competencies teaching block. All of the competencies are taught in the other core teaching blocks.
These are to confirm that key elements of the course have been assessed and passed.
These are zero-credit teaching blocks that do not contribute to the marks of students. However, it is a requirement of progression to years 2, 3, 4 and to graduation that these teaching blocks are passed with a mark of 100%.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on
Teaching blocks
The final year prepares you for the foundation training year. You will have DMP teaching blocks on the latest developments in drug discovery and future medicines. You will run a simulated pharmacy and be challenged with simulated patients allowing you to demonstrate your integrated knowledge, and professional and clinical skills.
Throughout year four there will be a mix of group presentations, work based assessments and report assessments.
You will have exams in January and May.
You will attend a variety of hospital, GP and community placements.
After passing everything, you will graduate at the end of year four.
Semester one
Advancing Therapies, Practice and Care 1
You'll join a small team with fellow pharmacy students to understand two core areas:
Simulation
Step in to a simulated environment of a pharmacist. confronted with routine activities, long lasting projects and incidents relating to a fully fledged pharmacy. It takes a:
- patient-focussed approach to medicine optimisation
- follow patients through several care pathways
- prescribe multiple medicines to manage coexisting problems
- (paid) actors will participate as patients, customers, prescribers and other health care staff, pharmaceutical company representatives, inspectors and so on
- practice patient care either face-to-face, over a phone or through virtual interactions
You will learn advancement of the knowledge of disease management and conditions covered previously and introduction of new diseases and conditions. You will develop and be supported in problem-solving skills and your abilities in application of therapeutics to these complex patients.
Hone in on your critical thinking and decision-making, team-working, and teaching skills.
We have a team culture that you will join, learning leadership, management and appraisal from peers and staff to support your future professional roles.
Patient treatment changing over the years
Your career within the pharmacy sector could span over 40 years. During this time there will be major changes in your roles and the types of medicines available to treat patients. In this teaching block, you will be challenged to think about how patient treatment could change over the course of your career and we will help to prepare you for changes by developing your critical thinking. This is with respect to how new medicines are introduced and how healthcare professionals and scientists can keep their personal knowledge up-to-date. Examples of new medicines that may be considered are:
- The application of gene therapy and RNA therapeutics to medicine, including examples of successful approaches in clinical trials.
- New developments in antibody technologies and biosimilars for therapeutics.
- The potential of stem cell therapies to transform medicine.
- The application of drug delivery to create targeted therapies for inflammatory diseases, cancer chemotherapy and needle-free vaccine delivery.
Semester two
Advancing Therapies, Practice and Care 2
You will further enhance your knowledge from semester one, continuing to work as a team. Focusing on simulation and being challenged to think about how patient treatment could change over the years.
You will learn to:
- advance your skills and knowledge in disease management and medicine optimisation
- capitalise on experiences gained outside the teaching block such as vocational experiences both within the course and outside
- enable assessment of new scientific breakthroughs in terms of their clinical potential
- enable students to deliver patient care, essential, advanced and bespoke services
- further develop students’ skills in leadership, management, marketing, communication, problem-solving abilities critical thinking, teaching and learning, and team-working
- provide an appreciation of the research breakthroughs in biology and pharmaceutical sciences that are driving the invention of future medicines
Professional competencies year four
In each year of the MPharm there is a professional competencies teaching block. All of the competencies are taught in the other core teaching blocks.
These are to confirm that key elements of the course have been assessed and passed.
These are zero-credit teaching blocks that do not contribute to the marks of students. However, it is a requirement of progression to years 2, 3, 4 and to graduation that these teaching blocks are passed with a mark of 100%.
In years four and five, the Professional Competency modules are used to monitor the progress of each student in attainment of the correct level for each of the GPhC Learning Outcomes.
In years four and five, there are also some Learning Outcomes that are assessed for the final time and at the highest outcome level, in the University-based modules, rather than the Professional Placement teaching blocks. Attainment of learning outcomes within these teaching blocks is assessed in the Part B marking scheme for the appropriate year four or year five assessments.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on
Teaching blocks
Around mid-July of your 4th year, you will start your Foundation Training placement. This will last 52 weeks. Ending mid-July in your 5th year with us.
There will be a placement assessment.
Foundation Training Placement
You will draw together all the teaching delivered by the school during all previous years. This will be contextualised in a patient focussed setting.
Throughout the foundation placement, the trainee pharmacist, you, will be in areas of pharmacy that may be either patient or non-patient facing, but always with a clear focus on the patient as the primary concern. During the foundation placement, the trainee pharmacist will be expected to consistently achieve all the GPhC Learning Outcomes under the direction of the designated supervisor.
You will undertake a number of tasks and activities that will help with the development of communication, critical thinking and personal reflection, in addition to skills in critical appraisal, decision-making, problem solving, and team working.
You will undertake regular reviews with your designated supervisor and will be expected to produce and update your own portfolio of evidence in order to demonstrate your competence.
Professional competencies year five
In each year of the MPharm there is a professional competencies teaching block. All of the competencies are taught in the other core teaching blocks.
These are to confirm that key elements of the course have been assessed and passed.
These are zero-credit teaching blocks that do not contribute to the marks of students. However, it is a requirement of progression to years 2, 3, 4 and to graduation that these teaching blocks are passed with a mark of 100%.
In Years 4 and 5 the Professional Competency teaching blocks are used to monitor the progress of each student in attainment of the correct level for each of the GPhC Learning Outcomes.
In Year 4 and 5 there are also some Learning Outcomes that are assessed for the final time and at the highest outcome level, in the University based teaching blocks, rather than the Professional Placement teaching blocks. Attainment of learning outcomes within these teaching blocks is assessed in the Part B marking scheme for the appropriate year 4 or year 5 assessments. Any failed learning outcomes will be re-assessed by an oral examination or appropriate other mechanism (e.g. CPD entry) as part of PHAR4024.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on