Immunology and Pharmacology, BSc
Course Overview
Overview
There is a rapidly increasing number of immune system molecules now used to treat, or used as targets in the treatment of, a wide range of disease. The joint Immunology and Pharmacology degree has been developed to meet the need for understanding of both these subjects in drug development.
There is a rapidly increasing number of immune system molecules now used to treat, or used as targets in the treatment of, a wide range of disease.
Immunology is the study of how the body defends itself against pathogenic microorganisms and cancer but is also fundamental to debilitating autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies. Pharmacology is concerned with the discovery, characterisation and toxicology of drugs that are used either as medicines or as experimental tools for advancing our understanding of the body in health and disease. It also addresses drug toxicity and the processes by which drugs are absorbed, metabolised and excreted. We look at how the immune system can be exploited for novel therapies including vaccines.
Students will gain a broad, in depth, understanding of both subjects at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. Our research-led approach, which covers the latest advances provides graduates with the skills and knowledge for a wide range of careers in immunology and pharmacology and more generally in medical science.
5 year MSci degree
This degree offers you the opportunity to undertake a year’s placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc.
AT A GLANCE
| LEARNING MODE | On Campus Learning |
| DEGREE QUALIFICATION | BSc |
| DURATION | 48 months |
| STUDY MODE | Full Time |
What You'll Study
A degree in Immunology and Pharmacology is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year you will take courses adding up to 120 credits. Depending on the number of compulsory and optional courses offered by your degree, you can also choose other eligible courses which fit your timetable.
How You'll Study
You will be taught using a variety of methods and styles and we continually seek to make the teaching engaging, exciting and responsive to the latest research in your subject area. The research we carry out in the School directly informs and guides our teaching, particularly in the final Honours year. Our commitment to teaching is recognised by the range of Northampton University Student-led Teaching Awards given to staff from our School.
As a student, your learning is supported by MyNorthampton, our virtual learning environment from which you can access the lecture Powerpoint slides, online practice tests, links to related reading, and tutorial support material.
We make innovative use of ‘educational voting’ handsets in class, remote control ‘clickers’ that allow each and every student to electronically respond in class by anonymous vote to questions posed by the lecturer.
Your academic development is supported from year 1 through to year 4 by an assigned personal tutor, who acts as adviser and mentor throughout your University career.
Year 1 courses include Medical Sciences and Chemistry for Life Sciences plus additional courses selected from science and other areas.
Compulsory Courses
- Introduction to Medical Sciences (NT1001) – 15 Credit Points
- Introduction to the Science of Sport, Exercise and Health (NT1002) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1 (NT1020) – 15 Credit Points
- The Cell (NT1501) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2 (NT1512) – 15 Credit Points
- Professional Skills Part 1 (NT1001)
Optional Courses
Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2 courses introduce Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Genetics and cell biology. The year 2 curriculum includes two courses devoted to development of Foundation and Research Skills in the Life Sciences.
Compulsory Courses
- Genes and Evolution (NT2017) – 15 Credit Points
- Physiology of Human Cells (NT20B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Molecular Biology of the Gene (NT20M3)
- Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2001) – 15 Credit Points
- Physiology of Human Organ Systems (NT25B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Microbes, Infection and Immunity (NT25M5) – 15 Credit Points
- Energy for Life (NT25M7) – 15 Credit Points
- Research Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2501) – 15 Credit Points
-
In year 3 courses include biochemical pharmacology and toxicology and mechanisms of disease and principles of chemotherapy.
Compulsory Courses
- Biochemical Pharmacology and Toxicology (NT3004) – 30 Credit Points
- Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (NT3501) – 15 Credit Points
- Mechanisms of Disease and Principles of Chemotherapy (NT3802) – 15 Credit Points
- Fundamentals of Immunology (NT3501) – 30 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
-
In your Honours year the focus of taught courses is on special aspects of immunology and pharmacology. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
Compulsory Courses
- Current Research in Immunology (NT4006) – 30 Credit Points
- Molecular Pharmacology (NT4005) – 15 Credit Points
- Immunology or Pharmacology Project (NT4504) – 60 Credit Points
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Immunology and Pharmacology?
Why Pharmacology
- You will receive cutting edge, applicable training and practical experience in classical pharmacology, toxicology and cell and molecular pharmacology.
- The people involved in your teaching are at the forefront of pharmacology research and some may also be involved with successful spin-out companies.
- Pharmacology teaching at the University was graded ‘Excellent’ in the last Teaching Quality Assessment.
- Pharmacologists at the Northampton University have been involved in fundamental scientific discoveries such as morphine-like and cannabis-like substances in the brain.
- The University has been recognised by the British Pharmacological Society as a site of special scientific interest based on its achievements in pharmacology.
- You will receive training in both specialist and employment-related skills.
- Excellent staff and teaching facilities; 92% of our students were satisfied with teaching on courses in the School of Medical Sciences, and 91.8% of our students were satisfied that staff made the subject interesting (2014 National Student Survey)
- The University is one of the top 10 UK Universities for spin-out company formation.
- Award winning research on opioids and cannabinoids was carried out by world-renowned Professors Kosterlitz and Pertwee at the University.
Careers
The Immunology and Pharmacology degree offers good prospects for research careers in academia, industry, the scientific civil service and hospitals. It can be used as an entry qualification for certain postgraduate courses, including MSc Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, Endocrinology, Nutrition or IT. Alternatively, it may lead onto careers such as marketing, publishing or teaching.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship options give our degrees a distinctively different flavour from many others. All our degrees offer:
- A 10-week full time research project in the final year which will provide you with valuable experience of working in a medical science research environment
- The option of an industrial placement year and graduation with an undergraduate MSci
- Highly relevant and sought after experience in bio-business aimed at giving you an understanding of the commercialisation of scientific ideas and an opportunity to learn about the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB*
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB*
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB*
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB*
Minimum: BBC*
Adjusted: CCC*
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL*.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB*, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton University it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.0 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 78 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 54 with: Listening – 51; Reading – 51; Speaking – 51; Writing – 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL – 169 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
How to apply
This programm by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
-
The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions
