Overview

Medicines have transformed modern healthcare, and understanding how they act on the body is central to treating disease and developing new therapies. Studying BSc (Hons) Pharmacology at Keele University introduces students to some of the most active areas of life sciences research, from how drugs treat a wide range of conditions to the emerging technologies shaping drug development. The course applies biochemistry, physiology and molecular cell biology to pharmacology and modern drug discovery. Practical learning takes place in modern laboratories, including the David Attenborough Laboratories and the Central Science Laboratory building, where students work with techniques used in current research. Assessments are authentic and innovative in design, encouraging creativity, leadership and self-reflection. The programme has been awarded interim accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology, and a work placement year, shorter secondments and study abroad are available as additional options. It suits students curious about how medicines work who are aiming for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research or graduate entry into medicine.

What You'll Learn

How drugs act in the treatment of a wide range of conditions

Biochemistry, physiology and molecular cell biology applied to pharmacology

Modern drug discovery and emerging technologies in drug development

Enzyme kinetics and metabolite quantification

Core microbiology techniques

Molecular biology methods, including polymerase chain reaction and antigen-antibody identification

Receptor-ligand binding interactions, studied through practical and computational methods

In vitro study of drug action in cells and tissues, including cell culture

Work placement, professional training and employability skills

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will understand how medicines work at different scales, from molecular interactions between receptors and ligands to the responses of cells, tissues and the whole body. They will be able to explain how biochemistry, physiology and molecular cell biology underpin modern drug discovery, and to evaluate critically how drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions. Extensive laboratory work builds practical competence in biochemical, microbiological and molecular techniques, as well as in cell culture and in the computational analysis of drug-target interactions. Students will learn to analyse data, solve problems and apply their knowledge to current questions in biomedical science rather than simply recalling facts. Assessments that reward creativity, leadership and self-reflection help them develop professional and transferable skills, while placement, secondment and study abroad options broaden their experience of the workplace and of other cultures. This foundation, together with substantial research experience, prepares graduates to specialise in the pharmaceutical industry or biomedical research, or to move on to graduate entry into medicine.