Masters Degrees in Animal Pharmacy

The Veterinary Pharmacy courses at Harper Adams University College are run in conjunction with the Veterinary Pharmacy Education Programme (VPEP) which is endorsed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). It is managed by Harper Adams and some of the delivery is undertaken by staff from VPEP.

This qualification is primarily intended for pharmacists involved or wishing to develop an involvement in the animal health industry and in the supply and use of animal medicinal products.

The course

The Veterinary Pharmacy courses at Harper Adams University College are run in conjunction with the Veterinary Pharmacy Education Programme (VPEP) which is endorsed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). It is managed by Harper Adams and some of the delivery is undertaken by staff from VPEP.

This qualification is primarily intended for pharmacists involved or wishing to develop an involvement in the animal health industry and in the supply and use of animal medicinal products.

Pharmacy technicians or other pharmacy staff may study the taught modules at a lower academic level which would incorporate appropriate SQP qualifications and lead to a University College Diploma.

The full programme would typically be delivered on a part-time basis and studied over three academic years, with students completing the ‘taught’ modules to achieve a PgD or UCD within the first two years and those continuing to MSc completing the Masters Dissertation within an individually negotiated timescale over a one to two year period.

How will it benefit me?

Completion of this award will be representative of an individual’s commitment and on-going industrial Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as required by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Successful candidates will gain accreditation from a leading academic provider in the sector but also an award which has the potential to add gravitas and improve the perceived status of those who undertake it, while providing them the opportunity to further develop their higher level discipline specific skills.

Entry requirements

The programmes are offered at different levels of study, therefore for each award there is a different entry requirement:

UCDip (level 5)

Candidates should have at least five GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent. These should normally include English, Mathematics and a Science or their equivalent. Candidates should also be able to provide evidence of a sufficient standard of core educational skills to benefit from, and succeed in higher education and substantial industrial and professional experience and responsibility or an NVQ at level FE2,3 or 4 as appropriate.

For candidates with no higher education qualifications, such experience should normally be of 5 years or more.

PgC / PgD / MSc

For admission to the University College PgC/PgD/MSc Veterinary Pharmacy candidates would be expected to have obtained a minimum of an upper second class degree in Pharmacy or a related animal science subject.

Applications may also be considered from candidates with a lower second class honours degree, Foundation Degree or good HND (together with related industrial or professional experience of at least two years) or a Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate or equivalent. For all applicants, evidence of previous qualifications is required. However, all are judged on their individual merits. Non-graduates with significant work experience are also invited to apply. Where a candidate's honours degree (or equivalent) was not assessed in English, their English language skill will, typically, be evaluated by interview and/or via an approved English Language test.

Further information and applications

For course structure information select the 'Course structure' tab, or download our Course Information PDF.

Due to this being a part time course only, Harper Adams are unable to accept International Students who will require a Tier 4 Visa. If you require more information on this please visit the UK Borders Agency website.

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The course involves a comprehensive treatment of the science and technology of pharmaceutical analysis with particular emphasis on the regulatory environment in which the pharmaceutical industry operates. It is intended for suitably qualified graduates currently working in or aspiring to work in the pharmaceutical industry - in particular non-pharmacy graduates employed in quality control or quality assurance roles requiring specialised training, retraining or upgrading of skills. The course may also be attractive to technical managers in regulatory affairs, product development and other related areas. The objective is to equip graduates with the appropriate analysis skills required by the pharmaceutical and veterinary manufacturing industries.

The course is available for full-time study over one calendar year or part-time over two years and consists of lectures, workshop and laboratory work. Part-time teaching is normally scheduled for Fridays during academic terms. The course comprises lectures, workshops, seminars, laboratory work, written assignments and factory visits. In addition each student must write a major essay on a designated topic in the area of pharmaceutical analysis. Students proceeding to a M.Sc. degree will be required to undertake a research project and present a detailed scientific report at the end of the course.

The course consists of eight basic modules: regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical analysis, statistics, GLP chromatographic analysis, spectroscopic and physical methods of analysis, pharmacopoeial methods of drug analysis, analysis of low level drug analysis, specialized pharmaceutical methods of analysis, biological and pharmacological methods and pharmaceutical formulation.

The taught modules are supported by lectures and workshops on presentation and research skills and visits to industrial laboratories. The course is taught mainly by College staff, although there is a contribution from specialist visiting lecturers. The research project may be conducted either in the School of Pharmacy or at the student's place of employment but in either case supervision is exercised by a member of the School of Pharmacy academic staff.

Overall assessment of candidates is based on tutor marked assignments (TMAs) during the course work and written examinations in May/June each year. Credits are available for all assignments including laboratory reports. The M.Sc. project report should be of 20,000 words and is examined in September. Candidates must successfully complete the taught component of the course at the Trinity term examinations, before proceeding to the M.Sc. project. Provision is available for a supplemental examination in September each year if required. A reasonable attempt is required in all aspects of the examination process. A pass mark of 40% is normally required but compensation is applied where appropriate.

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The Masters course is presented in a distance learning form and extends over two years. Applicants are expected to be employed in the pharmaceutical industry or with a pharmaceutical regulatory authority at the time of their application or to have previously worked in the industry.

Course content is specified in Human and Veterinary Directives 2001/83/EC and 2001/82/EC. Participants receive nine module books in each year of the course. The general areas covered are: pharmaceutical, medicinal and analytical chemistry; pharmaceutical processing and drug action, uses and assessment. Participants must also undertake a number of manufacturing facility visits. The taught component (Postgraduate Diploma) is recognised by the Irish Medicines Board as fulfilling the educational requirements related to registration as a Qualified Person (Note: applicants with a three-year primary degree must qualify with a M.Sc. to fulfil the educational requirements related to registration as a Qualified Person). Please note this course commences in January.

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The main aim of the course is to give students currently working or intending to work in the human and veterinary pharmaceutical industries an understanding of the fundamentals of pharmaceutical technology relevant to product formulation, development and production. In addition to theoretical knowledge, graduates are equipped with practical experience and research methodology that enables them to become involved in research and development in these areas.

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OVERVIEW

Designed for students aiming to work in research, education, and industry in the life sciences sector. Specifically this MSc will provide you with an advanced understanding of current and emerging issues in the both Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare and provide you with an extensive range of lectures in a variety of topics.

For further information email [email protected] or send us a message on WhatsApp

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE HIGHLIGHTS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Many of our graduates secure dream jobs around the world.

WORLD CLASS FACILITIES

• The School of Biological Sciences has a wide range of facilities to carry out Animal Behaviour and Welfare research. Our world class facilities include access to: Animal Laboratory Services Belfast Zoo Farm Animal Research Facilities Queen’s University Marine Laboratory Collections throughout the UK and Ireland

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED EXPERTS

• This course offers a unique opportunity to obtain a qualification in the fields of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare delivered by world class scientists.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

• In contrast to most MSc programmes at other UK universities, we will provide students with an extensive range of lectures in a variety of topics (for details see Programme Content).

COURSE STRUCTURE

Introduction

Animal Behaviour is the scientific study of what animals do, from single-celled organisms, invertebrates to vertebrates. It is one of the most exciting and interesting scientific disciplines, expanding rapidly over recent decades. Animal behaviour is key to understanding evolutionary processes, and there is a growing need to understand behaviour due to the impact of an increasing human population.

In addition, an understanding of animal behaviour is of fundamental importance to safeguard animal welfare. Thus, the study of animal behaviour provides the foundation for successful conservation and to increase and regulate the welfare of both domestic and wild animals. The course covers a wide range of animals, from insects to primates, taking in companion and farm animals. Thus, there is something of interest for everyone.

Throughout the course students will get fundamental training in Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare, Experimental Design, Statistics, and Presentation Skills to succeed on the competitive job market. The content provided during the course will also be useful for those who wish to pursue a PhD in Behaviour, Behavioural Ecology, Conservation, Evolutionary Ecology, and Animal Welfare.

The course also offers the opportunity to undertake a work placement with a variety of organizations subject to availability of placements. The School of Biological Sciences has provided work placement opportunities to students for more than 10 years, through a dedicated team of Career and Work Placement Officers that work for our School.

The work placement module is optional: students will have the option to either complete the module Professional Development and Work Placement, or the module Research Project: Animal Behaviour and Welfare. 

The structure and contents of the programme are detailed below:

• Animal Behaviour and Welfare (60 CATS). This module gives an in depth overview into different topics of Behaviour and Welfare, including Communication; Companion, Farm and Zoo Welfare; Conservation, Contests; Development; Hunting; Navigation; Sensory Systems; and Veterinary Welfare Issues.
• Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (20 CATS). This module will provide you with the underpinning of research such as the scientific method, ethics in research, scientific communication, and impact of your research.
• Key Skills in Animal Behaviour and Welfare (20 CATS). This module will introduce you to the principles, which will allow you to conduct animal behaviour and welfare research successfully. This module will improve your skills in terms of study design and statistical analysis and it will also improve your oral and written presentation skills.
• Literature Review: Animal Behaviour (20 CATS). You will write an in-depth quality review in an area of Behaviour or Welfare to improve your writing skills.

One of the following:

• Research Project: Animal Behaviour and Welfare (60 CATS). Projects run usually from April to August (inclusive) and allows a substantial piece of research to be produced and written in good publishable style.
• Professional Development and Work Placement (60 CATS). Work placement usually take place from April until the end of August, and are undertaken in an organisation chosen among industry, the public sector and on governmental organizations in the area of animal behaviour and welfare. During the work placement, you will increase your ability to relate academic theory to the work environment, develop identified work related skills (cognitive, transferable and subject specific skills), enhance your career knowledge, be able to critically evaluate your learning from the placement to demonstrate its value to your future.

For further information email [email protected] or send us a message on WhatsApp

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Please contact Hartpury College directly for more information:

Website: http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/
Telephone: +44(0)1452 702345;
E-mail: [email protected]

How to apply

Information on applications can be found at the following link: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/study/applyingtouwebristol/postgraduateapplications.aspx

Funding

- New Postgraduate Master's loans for 2016/17 academic year –

The government are introducing a master’s loan scheme, whereby master’s students under 60 can access a loan of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the cost of their study. This is part of the government’s long-term commitment to enhance support for postgraduate study.

Scholarships and other sources of funding are also available.

More information can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/postgraduatefunding.aspx

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