Programme Title

BSc Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Science

Programme Code

PMY-BSC-PB

UCAS Code

B212

HECoS Code

100250

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

360

Exit Awards available

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Pharmacy

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Pharmacy (MPharm)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Progression policy:

This programme follows the General Regulations University Calendar for Undergraduate Students.

NB: Students are not normally permitted more than one repeat year at any level, or 3 resit attempts at any module. Students requiring a second repeat year or failing any module after 3 resit attempts will normally be withdrawn by the School.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Think logically, analyse problems, systems and data in a pharmaceutical framework

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Practical classes increasing in complexity through stages 1-3
• Workshops in pharmaceutical microbiology, basic numeracy, statistical methods for analysis of pharmaceutical data
• Final year project
• Lectures

Methods of Assessment

• Practical reports
• Coursework assignments
• Presentation of Undergraduate Research Project
• Written Undergraduate Research Project
• Marked Assignments
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Critically evaluate the scientific literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Workshops and lectures in scientific literature searching, how to effectively prepare a critique, critically evaluating the scientific literature and use of reference management software
• Undergraduate Research Project
• Lectures on emerging research topics at stage 3

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignment (scientific research paper critique)
• Critical literature review and oral presentation of final year project
• Examination
• Examinations (short questions and/or long questions)

Carry out structured organisation and planning of their work

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Coursework, laboratory report writing and project resource limitations
• Preparation for Workshops/tutorials
• Completion of literature review, oral presentation and preparation of final year research thesis to specified deadlines

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework/laboratory assignments
• Oral Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project thesis and critical literature review

Learn independently, under supervision and additionally within a group environment

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Working in groups and individually during practical classes at stages 1,2 and 3
• Mini group projects at stages 2 and 3
• Undergraduate research project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical Assignments
• Oral Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written project thesis

Efficiently analyse and summarise core concepts from diverse sources. Prioritise the different elements in a complex system.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Workshops and Tutorial based discussion
• Problem-based assignments
• Undergraduate Research Project
• Self-directed learning largely derived from core textbooks and from journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Critical Literature review at Stage 3
• Lab-reports based upon collation of complex experimental data
• Oral Presentations at stages 1,2 and 3.
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Written examinations

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Carry out analytical thinking and critical analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Individual and group practical classes at stages 1,2 and 3
• Workshops/Tutorials at stages 1 and 2
• Critical evaluation of scientific literature at stage 3
• Undergraduate Research Project

Methods of Assessment

• Marked practical class assignments
• MCQ class tests
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Carry out organisational skills as well as project and time management skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Coursework, laboratory report writing and project resource limitations
• Preparation for Workshops/tutorials
• Completion of literature review, oral presentation and preparation of final year research thesis to specified deadlines

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework/laboratory assignments
• Oral Presentation of Undergraduate Research Project
• Written Undergraduate Project thesis and critical literature review

Present general pharmaceutical data/material in both written and oral form

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Workshops/tutorials at stages 1 and 2
• Group practical at stage 3
• Undergraduate Research Project
• Oral presentations

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework
• Marked Assignments
• Preparation of poster presentation from lab data at stage 3
• Oral presentations at stages 1-3
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project

Work and learn independently and under supervision

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures at stages 1-3
• Tutorials
• This is promoted through a range of coursework at all stages of the programme
• Undergraduate Research Project
• Directed self-reading/learning

Methods of Assessment

• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)
• Completion of coursework assignment and practical reports with agreed deadlines
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project

Meet deadlines

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• This is a requirement throughout the degree programme with deadlines for assignments, submission of poster presentations, oral presentations and in preparation for tutorials/workshops.

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project

Use of computers and information technology effectively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• General and subject specific IT skills developed through module assignments. Practical training in computer-based software tools provided at stages 1-3

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments and research project

Work collaboratively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Group projects are embedded in laboratory work and in mini-projects across stages 1-3.
• Students expected to work in teams in specific workshops and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Understand and know the pharmaceutical sciences and the application of these to the design and analysis of medicinal substances.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in physicochemical principles of formulation, chemistry, industrial pharmaceutics, advanced drug delivery platforms, medicinal substances, applied biotherapeutics and drug design and pharmaceutical analysis
• Final year research project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework Assignments
• Practical reports
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Understand and know the pharmaceutical sciences and the application of these to the formulation, analysis and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in physicochemical principles of formulation, chemistry, industrial pharmaceutics, advanced drug delivery platforms, medicinal substances, applied biotherapeutics and drug design and pharmaceutical analysis
• Final year research project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework Assignments
• Practical reports
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Understand and know the principles of drug action, the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of medicinal substances and application of this knowledge to pharmaceutical product development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in pharmaceutical physiology and principles of drug action, industrial pharmaceutics, and advanced drug delivery systems
• Final year research project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework Assignments
• Practical reports
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Understand and hold specialist knowledge of the applications of the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical biotechnology within the pharmaceutical (and related) industries.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Industrial visits and careers events
• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops in Applied Biotherapeutics and Quality Assurance, industrial pharmaceutics and advanced drug delivery systems.
• Final year research project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework Assignments
• Practical reports
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Understand the principles of cell structure, function and properties of molecules of biological interest

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in pharmaceutical physiology, principles of drug action and advanced drug delivery systems

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Understand the relationship between structure and function of drug molecules and their subsequent biological use

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in chemistry, structure and function of medicinal substances, principles of drug action and advanced drug delivery systems

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Understand and utilise a variety of chromatographic and analytical techniques relevant to pharmaceutical analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in chemistry, quantification and characterisation of medicinal substances, industrial pharmaceutics, advanced drug delivery systems and drug design and pharmaceutical analysis

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Identify and quantify drug molecules and biological therapies within pharmaceutical products and biological media

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in chemistry, quantification and characterisation of medicinal substances, industrial pharmaceutics, advanced drug delivery systems and drug design and pharmaceutical analysis

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Utilise a variety of existing databases and structure prediction tools in pharmaceutical research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes at stages 1-3

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)

Design, formulate and manufacture pharmaceutical dosage forms and assign product specifications

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops/practical classes in medicinal substances, industrial pharmaceutics, advanced drug delivery systems, quality assurance and regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical manufacture
• Research project at stage 3

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project

Problem solve within a pharmaceutical setting

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures (stages 1-3)
• Tutorials/workshops (Stages 1-3)
• Practical classes at stages 1-3
• Undergraduate Research Project

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework
• Marked Assignments
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project

Understand the development and formulation pathways for biotherapeutics of relevance to the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology industry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

• Lectures supported by tutorials/workshops in Applied Biotherapeutics and Quality Assurance, Industrial Pharmaceutics and Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
• Research project at stage 3

Methods of Assessment

• Coursework assignments
• Practical reports
• Examinations (MCQ, short questions, long questions)
• Presentation of Undergraduate Project
• Written Undergraduate Project