MSc Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology
University of Bradford
Key Information
Campus location
Bradford, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,230 / per year **
Application deadline
20 Jul 2024*
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* This is the deposit payment deadline for international students
** home UK students | International students: £23,028 per year
Introduction
This full-time Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of drug safety practices within the drug development process.
It addresses key aspects of preclinical drug evaluation through the study of:
- Drug discovery and development
- Safety pharmacology
- Mechanisms of drug-induced toxicities
- Regulatory affairs
- Bioanalytical sciences
It will give you state-of-the-art training in preclinical toxicology, with an emphasis on the molecular in vitro and in vivo aspects of toxicology and safety pharmacology assessments.
As part of the programme, you will undertake an original research project that will be the basis of your dissertation.
Delivered at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, an internationally renowned research institution, the programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.
Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lie at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and the demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
The programme has a central core of modules in the first Semester which are designed to train students in widely used laboratory techniques, research methodology, and in critical analysis and thinking.
The 20-credit Practical Skills in Research module is designed around common laboratory techniques and skills including ELISA, flow cytometry, Western Blot, statistical analysis etc. You will have a series of workshops to learn these techniques with a lab session where you carry out the procedure.
In the 20-credit Critical Appraisal module, you are assigned a topic under the supervision of one of our academics and are asked to write a 5000-word critical review. In this module, students will receive a wide range of training and advice on scientific writing, compiling scientific data, data analysis, scientific presentation etc.
The remaining 20-credit first semester module entitled Toxicology & Safety Pharmacology provides students with the core academic knowledge required in this field. During the first semester, students gain knowledge of the breadth of cutting edge research at ICT and either choose or suggest a research project plan.
In Semester 2, students will study 20-credit Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation module designed around protocols and techniques used in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug potency and 20-credit Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity module designed around the recent understanding mechanism that leads to toxicity in drug molecules.
In Semester 3 (60 credits each), students will join research laboratories within the ICT, to undertake their 60-credit Research Project module. During this time, students are trained in specialist laboratory techniques and conduct their chosen research.
All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.
Modules
Core
- Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology (INC7005-B)
- Practical Skills in Research
- Critical Appraisal
- Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation (INC7001-B)
- Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity (INC7009-B)
- Case Studies in Drug Discovery (INC7011-B)
- Cancer Therapeutics Research Project (INC7019-E)
Learning and assessment
A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme and are supported by the virtual learning environment provided by the University.
Students will experience lectures from the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT) research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes.
Students will also attend the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Research Seminar programme. Self-directed independent learning forms a significant component at MSc level; students will be supported to develop the attributes and skills needed for life-long learning and continued professional development.
Directed private study will involve students in a variety of activities, which include directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature, use of the virtual learning environment (directed web-based materials), report writing, preparing presentations to deliver to peers, and other assignments.
Rankings
We are ranked in the top 250 universities in the world for Pharmacy & Pharmacology in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by subject.
Career Opportunities
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans by exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
The programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical trials, or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.
Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lie at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and the demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.
The majority of our students find employment in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. Covance, Envigo, Cyprotex) as well as the clinical setting ( e.g clinical trials at St James Hospital, Leeds). A number of overseas students have returned to their country of origin and have taken high profile positions in the regulatory environment. In addition, many of our students have continued their education and progressed to PhD study (e.g. Universities of Oxford, Leeds, Liverpool, and Bradford).
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Over £4m invested in scholarships every year
The University of Bradford offers a wide range of financial help to assist you on your university journey and invests over £4m annually in the Access Agreement and other scholarships to support students from all backgrounds.
Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU, and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances, or economic hardship. Some of our scholarships are also linked to studies in a specific subject area. You can apply for more than one type of scholarship but you can usually only be granted one award.