Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc (Hons)

About the course

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science degree trains you in the fundamentals of designing and manufacturing pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. It allows graduates to start a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

It has many unique characteristics, one of which is that it is the only course in the UK to specialise in both the science of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

This is one of the first pharmaceutical science degrees to be developed by a pharmacy team, giving it a balance between the chemistry and engineering components of pharmaceutical design and manufacture.

Reasons why you should choose to study Pharmaceutical Cosmetic Science degree at DMU

  • 94.2% of first degree graduates across all study modes seeking to enter employment or further study are successful after 6 months of completing their course, earning an average salary of £23, 265 (DLHE 2009/10)
  • Unique within the UK as very few courses come close to delivering the breadth and detail of content
  • Graduates work for internationally recognised companies including Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca plus many smaller companies

Key facts

UCAS course code: B204

Duration: Three years full-time, four years sandwich (optional)

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

2013/2014

UCAS Points

A minimum of 280 points

GCSE

  • At least 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths and English Language. Plus one of the following:

Alevels

  • Normally 280 UCAS Points including A Level Chemistry at Grade B, with one other science subject or equivalent

BTEC

  • BTEC National Diploma - Science BTEC with Distinction/Merit/Merit. Must meet chemistry requirement.
  • BTEC National Certificate - Only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry
  • BTEC National Award - Only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (3 A2s): Science BTEC with Distinction/Merit/Merit. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry 
  • BTEC Diploma (2 A2s): Science BTEC Distinction* Distinction*. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry
  • BTEC 90 credit Diploma: Only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (1 A2): Only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry
  • BTEC certificate (1 A1): Only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet chemistry requirement. Taken Applied Science, you will need to have an A2 Chemistry

Interview required: No

Access course
Pass in Access to Science. English and Maths GCSE equivalency required, 12 level 2 credits in each subject.

International students:
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Country specific Information|

Personal Statement selection criteria

  • Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
  • Information relevant to the course applied for
  • Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
  • If relevant for the course - work and life experience

Teaching and assessment

You will normally attend around 17 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures, tutorials etc) each week, and are expected to undertake at least 17 further hours of independent study to complete project work/research as required.

Course modules

First year

In the first year, you will study modules providing a scientific background. Formulation, through a comprehensive course in compounding, and process technology are also introduced.

  • Compounding
  • Formulation Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Processes and Technologies
  • Basic Microbiology
  • Professional and Quantitative Science Skills
  • Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Second year

The second year provides an emphasis on integrated work in analytical chemistry, product development and formulation, applied pharmacology, applied microbiology, process technology and quality issues.

  • Product Formulation
  • Chemical Analysis, Quality and Stability
  • Process Technology 2
  • Applied Microbiology
  • Product Development
  • Applied Pharmacology
  • Industrial Placement Year

Third year

The third year applies skills in an optional industrial placement to the development and manufacture of products in the formulation laboratory, manufacturing department or related business area of a pharmaceutical or cosmetics company.

The final year involves deeper study of pharmaceutical and cosmetic product design, quality, manufacturing processes, materials science and advanced systems for drug delivery.

  • Development and Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Products
  • Quality Assurance and Quality by Design Principles
  • Project
  • Materials Science
  • Cosmetic Science
  • Materials Science
  • Elective modules

Industry links and professional accreditation

This course has recently undergone a successful review and continues to meet the challenges of the industry and the requirements of both students and employers in the 21st Century.

Over the years we have built a good relationship with employers through their employment of placement students and graduates.

Work experience and placements

We encourage you to take an optional industrial placement year following your second year. Placement opportunities are competitive but our placement unit is dedicated to placing you with a suitable company.

The experience that placements provide is highly sought after by employers, and in some instances students return to where they worked on placement upon successful completion of the course.

Graduate careers

Recent graduates are now working as pharmaceutical scientists, quality control managers, senior analysts, regulatory assistants and development chemists.

You can progress onto one of our postgraduate courses such as:

Fees and funding


UK/EU
Full-time £9000
Part Time 2013/14
4 Year Course £5925
6 Year Course £3950
Per Module (15 Credits) £988
International
Full-time
Band 1 £10,750
Band 2 £11,250

Learn more about fees and funding information|.

Facilities

The Leicester School of Pharmacy enjoys excellent laboratory provision, with many of our labs having recently been refurbished. We have recently invested in state-of-the-art analytical equipment including a scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and a tandem mass spectrometer.

How to apply

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com|

Contact details

Health and Life Sciences Admissions
T: +44 (0)116 257 7700
E: hls@dmu.ac.uk|
W: dmu.ac.uk/hls|


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