Leicester School of Pharmacy

Content

The course comprises an intensive taught program covering the first two semesters, with the opportunity of conducting independent research in multiple disciplines in Semester 3 that will culminate in a written dissertation.  Students will also focus on the business and intellectual property aspects that are interwoven with biotechnological innovation and entrepreneurship to enable career progression.

It essentially consists of six compulsory modules and an elective ‘Research Methods’ module which are taught over Semesters 1 and 2 via lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer and cloning/expression-lab based practical assignments.  The choice of the dissertation topic early in Semester 1 will determine which ‘Research Methods’ elective module (from Business, Bioinformatics or Life Sciences) a student would study in Semester 2.  A publication-style dissertation will be submitted at the end of Semester 3 after completion of a 22-week independent research project under the supervision of an individual tutor.

During Semesters 1 and 2, students can expect to spend about half of their directed study time working at the bench in the Faculty’s research laboratories.  Semester 3 will be much more aimed at guided self-study.