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Pharmacology & Therapeutics

 

Pharmacology is the science concerned with the study of drugs and how they work to combat disease, as well as the search for new, improved drugs. It brings together several biomedical sciences including physiology and biochemistry. There are also close links with medicine and pharmacy.

King’s has a long history of teaching pharmacology. Our department is one of the largest in the UK and continues to provide a high-quality research-informed and learning experience for both our undergraduate and postgraduate students. We have built close links with the pharmaceutical sector, with industry scientists teaching on some courses, giving an inside view of work in drug discovery and development outside universities. Together with additional external partners, these industries also support work placements for our extended MSci programme.

With over 20 academic staff, our department includes world-renowned experts in a variety of research fields including drug discovery in neurological, respiratory, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

Why study Pharmacology at King's?

Our Pharmacology BSc will give you a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and chemicals, the way they work at the molecular, cellular and systems levels and their use in medicines to treat disease. This course is an ideal foundation for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research or graduate entry into medicine. However, increasingly the skills you gain from our programme are relevant for employability within a wide sector our graduates go on to use their transferable skills relevant for work in many other sectors. The course also features options to add a study abroad year to your programme, or to switch onto our competitive four- year MSci which incorporates a year-long placement in the UK or abroad, alongside distance learning modules. If you particularly enjoy biology and are keen to learn more about the causes of disease, the ways in which we can treat them now and the exciting prospects for the future, this programme is ideal for you.

 

Words from our Head of Department - Professor Susan Duty

I am delighted you have landed on this page to read about our BSc Pharmacology programme. I hope you find the content helpful. I am proud to lead a department that has a strong reputation amongst our students for delivering a supportive and inclusive education and I look forward to welcoming you at one of our campus-based Open days and subsequently as one of our new and motivated Pharmacology students!

Professor Susan Duty

Staff awards

A number of our current staff have been recognised externally for their education contributions including:

  • Professor Clive Page received an OBE for his services to science in 2017
  • Dr Susan Duty won the British Pharmacology Society Rang Prize for Teaching Excellence in 2016
  • Dr Aileen King won the British Pharmacological Society’s Integrative Pharmacology Fellow Prize for her excellent contribution to teaching
  • Dr Manasi Nandi won the British Pharmacology Society Rang Prize for Teaching Excellence in 2015
  • Professor Sue Brain awarded the AstraZeneca prize for Women in Pharmacology in 2011 by the British Pharmacological Society.