Clinical Pharmacology University of Glasgow

Overview

As a student in the  Clinical Pharmacology programme of the University of Glasgow you will acquire core skills, enabling an appreciation of how to apply clinical pharmacological, regulatory and ethical principles to the optimisation of therapeutic practice and clinical research. Crucially, in addition to a firm grasp of the principles of molecular pharmacology, you will also gain foundational knowledge in the emerging science of pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine.

Key facts

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

• One of a few UK postgraduate programmes that cover clinical pharmacology in sufficient detail to allow you to Number 6 in the UK for Pharmacologymake an informed choice about pursuing clinical pharmacology as a career.

• Learn the basics of molecular genetics and population genetics as applied to pharmacogenetics and gene therapy.

• Gain hands-on experience in molecular methods and analysis along with critical interpretation of genomic literature, enabling you to analyse, synthesise and formulate an action plan for personalised patient care.

• Engage in, and contribute to, discussions about therapeutic issues in the commercial and academic research environments.

• Undertake your own research project under expert supervision, allowing you to consolidate your knowledge and apply the skills you have acquired.

• Benefit from the close involvement of clinical academics and visiting lecturers from the pharmaceutical industry and national drug regulatory bodies

• Specifically designed to prepare you for future senior roles within the pharmaceutical medicine.

• Guest lecturers have recently included staff from Pfizer, Servier, Johnson & Johnson and the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include positions in:

• Academia

• Health care

• Pharmaceutical industry

• Return to more advanced positions within a previous clinical environment eg pharmacists, clinicians

• PhD study

Related job positions include:

• medical writer

• pharmacist

• medical doctor (NHS)

• quality control supervisor

• anaesthetics trainee (NHS)

• medical sales rep

• clinical research fellow

Some graduates went on to study for PhDs in:

• pharmacology

• molecular pharmacology

• cardiovascular sciences

• medicine (pharmacogenomics)

One graduate also went on to teacher training (PGDE Secondary Biology).