UCL School of Pharmacy

UCL School of Pharmacy

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  • Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
  • MSc in Clinical Pharmacy, International Practice and Policy
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  • MSc in Drug Discovery and Development
  • MSc in Drug Discovery and Pharma Management
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Assessment

Assessment

Coursework

Coursework from selected individual topic areas supports and supplements the taught component of the MSc in Drug Discovery. These will be described by the member of staff responsible, and the format, length, outline of content and context expected for written material and the deadline for submission will be carefully explained. Typical examples of coursework are:

Case Study

Students are given specific topics to research and retrieve information each week for 3 weeks. Students are expected to prepare notes and collect references. In week 4, students write a report using data given to them about a potential new statin. This is a 3 hour "open book" session with published material available and freedom to visit library.  Students hand in their report for assessment at the end of the 3 hours.

Portfolio of Molecular Modelling

Students are provided with a chosen 3 dimensional structure of a protein complexed with a drug. Each student has their own structure which must be analysed using molecular graphics and modelling tools. Students have to produce a file with molecular graphic images to demonstrate their ability to: visualize protein - ligand complexes; analyse interactions between a ligand and protein, and build and optimize small molecules.

Poster presentation on drug - target interactions

Students working in pairs will be allocated a specific drug-drug target interaction. Each pair will analyse this interaction using their molecular modelling expertise and appropriate software and produce a poster presentation. The poster should provide background information about the selected drug target. The use of information about interactions between that target and drugs in different complexes is required to provide understanding of important intermolecular interactions for that particular target.

Practical write-ups

Students produce written reports on each of the practical classes.

Problems in Functional Group Chemistry and Chemical Calculations

MCQs and a calculations test improve students’ proficiency in these areas

Bioassays for HTS Report and Presentation

Each student is assigned a bioassay on which they write a short report of its mechanism and use in high throughput screening. Each student makes a 5 min presentation to the class.

Analysis of Clinical Data Trial

Students are provided with data taken from a clinical trial of a drug. Methodology is included but no interpretation of the data. Students have to present the data in the form of graphs and figures and interpret the data and draw conclusions in a report of approximately 2000-3000 words.

Critical Analysis of Pharma Management Report

Students are provided with a published report relating to some aspect of regulatory, commercial or business affairs within the context of drug discovery and development in the pharma industry. A critical review of the research methodology applied, the data and its interpretation, and the contribution of this report to a successful outcome or added value in the management process is required in a report of 2000-3000 words.

Business Development Project

A major component of the MSc course is the business development project.  Projects are assigned in February and are supervised by an academic member of staff in the Department of Pharmaceutical & Biological Chemistry and a business/management advisor. Projects are unique and will take an aspect of science relevant to drug discovery and develop a business case for getting this science to market. For example it could be a case describing how to bring a novel molecule to market as a therapeutic agent, or it could be the strategy required to develop and market a diagnostic test. This work is undertaken between May and September. Students are expected to develop their own ideas and strategies in discussion with their supervisors and complete a comprehensive literature review to supplement their work.  Business plans are written up and submitted as a dissertation and will be presented in an oral presentation to the class and a judging panel of scientists and managers at the end of the year.

Examinations

There are four components of assessment:

Students are assessed by a 3hr written examination (4 essay questions) at the end of the first semester on the two first semester modules ‘Pharmaceutical Analysis’ and ‘Modern Aspects of Drug Discovery’.

Students are assessed at the end of the second semester by a 2hr open book examination on the core module ‘The Process of Drug Discovery and Development’

Students are assessed at the end of the second semester by a 1.5hr examination (2 essay questions) on the core module ‘The Process of Drug Discovery and Development’

Students are assessed at the end of the second semester by a 1.5hr examination (2 essay questions) on the specialist Pharma Management modules in the second semester.

Students whose final overall mark falls on a borderline between pass/fail or pass/distinction may be called to viva with the external examiner and course director