Explore…Your Second Year

The Stage 2 programme works along the same lines as the integrated and fully contextualised Stage 1 programme.   Again there is a single 120-credit module which spans both semesters and this contains two cycles of learning, assessment and reflection.   Following the end of cycle assessments you will meet with your personal tutor for feedback and guidance.

The topics you study are all linked through patient-oriented themes clearly showing the links between applied topics in science and practice that underpin later levels of learning.   Assessments will take a variety of formats including multiple choice and short answer questions, laboratory and skills assessments along with a portfolio which is central to your continuing professional development (CPD).   You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand and link all parts of course together in the end of year synoptic assessment which incorporates an element of group work and individual analysis.

The dispensing element of Stage 2 will build upon the knowledge gained in the first year.   You will continue to learn how to dispense different types of manufactured medicinal products in line with legal, professional, ethical and clinical factors.   You will also be introduced to extemporaneous dispensing, the production of specific preparations that are not manufactured.

You will cover diverse scientific elements of learning including pharmaceutical science and formulation, aspects of metabolism and how this relates to health and disease, toxicity and pharmacokinetics, microbiology and pharmacology.  


You will acquire skills in the scientific analysis of compounds as you study the use of a variety of analytical techniques, some of which you will have come across in Stage 1.   Your knowledge of infra-red and ultra-violet  techniques will be supplemented with new subjects including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.   You will learn to acquire analytical data and interpret the information, proposing structures for unknown compounds.

Concepts within pharmacology will include drug absorption, distribution and elimination.   You will investigate the relationship between the dose of a drug administered and the concentration achieved at the specified site of action.   You will explore the mechanisms of action for drugs and you will cover both the molecular interactions of drug activity as well as the sites of action including receptors, enzymes, ion channels and extracellular targets.


In order to expand your knowledge of pharmaceutical science you will undertake practical and theoretical work to investigate the physical and chemical principles underlying the design of pharmaceutical formulations.   You will explore the effects of different components in formulations including creams, emulsions, suspensions and tablets.   You will also investigate how the different components in these formulations affect delivery of the correct dose of the active ingredient. 

Your studies will be supported by a programme of placement activities where you can see how your learning applies to real life pharmacy.   You will study a variety of microbial agents of infection and begin to understand the relevance of microbiology and infection control in the manufacture and handling of pharmaceutical agents.   Techniques will include sterilisation, the use of clean rooms, standard operating procedures and aseptic techniques.   These will all be reinforced during your trip to see a licensed manufacturing unit in a hospital environment.   The variety of formulations explored in pharmaceutical science and the range of components used in pharmaceutical preparations will be brought to life in industrial placements and your study of dispensing, law, ethics and professionalism will be essential in your community pharmacy placements.