Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences Foundation Degree (Pre-Pharmacy)
Why choose this course?
If you know you have potential but want support before starting a degree in Pharmacy or a pharmacy related degree, then this course could be perfect for you.
Successful completion of this course means you can join Year 2 of the Pharmacy MPharm programme (dependent on satisfactory performance in assessments and satisfactory interview and DBS and health checks). Alternatively, you may top-up your qualification to a BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences or Pharmaceutical Science.
This course studies the main areas of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. You'll take the same modules as students of Year 1 Pharmacy, plus additional modules in chemistry, mathematics and other subjects. You'll also be able to specialise in an area that interests you. Your scientific learning will be supported by academic and professional skills development.
| Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years full time | F190 | 2022 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
2021 entry
If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2021/22 (i.e. between September 2021 and August 2022), please view the information about changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19.
Continuing students
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2021/22 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2021/22. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas course page.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This foundation degree has been accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC).
- This course offers a good grounding in pharmacy related subjects. Once you successfully complete the course, you'll be able to join Year 2 of the Pharmacy MPharm course or top-up to a pharmacy-related BSc (Hons).
- Many modules incorporate online blended learning, allowing you to study effectively when not on campus.
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list as these could change before your year of entry. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Year 1
Year 2 MPharm route
Year 2 MPharmSci route
In Year 1 you will study core modules that cover each of the main subject areas in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. Your studies and professional development will be supported by an academic skills module.
Core modules
Academic and Professional Skills Portfolio
30 credits
This module provides some fundamental learning and academic skills for students on the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences. It is intended to introduce a number of key skills which you will need to draw on in your future academic and professional careers. Maths, study skills and academic writing are covered together with a personal development folder based on work-based placements. This module is designed to aid you to find successful employment.
Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
30 credits
This module is core for students of the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences. It is intended to form an introduction to pharmacy as a profession by considering its standing in the NHS and introducing the roles of the pharmacist. It provides an introduction to the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of pharmacy in the UK. Throughout the module you will develop a number of the core skills required for pharmacy practice including professionalism, IT skills, oral and written communication and numeracy.
Foundation Chemistry for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
30 credits
This module deals with the fundamentals of atomic theory and an understanding of ionic and covalent bonding in chemistry. It provides an understanding of nomenclature, stereochemistry, and organic functional group chemistry at a level appropriate to subsequent modules. Concepts in physical and physical organic chemistry are introduced. The module is also intended to develop ideas in chemistry with application to pharmaceutical sciences.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the structure of atoms and molecules.
- Differentiate between inductive and resonance effects of substituents in molecules; show a basic understanding of how molecules interact with effects of solvents, both polar and nonpolar; demonstrate how electron shifts lead to the formation and fission of bonds.
- Utilise the equations involved in calculations of pH, pK and titration experiments; show how simple rate equations are used and how rate constants depend on the temperature. Calculate properties of solutions (particularly buffer solutions) such as pH and pKa.
- Demonstrate how the basic rules of chemical nomenclature are applied to simple organic compounds, including E/Z and R/S isomers; draw diagrams indicating the conformations and stereochemistry of organic molecules;demonstrate a knowledge of the main types of organic reactions: addition, elimination and substitution, for simple aliphatic and aromatic compounds; understand reactions of the hydrocarbons and compounds derived from them.
- Explain how ligands may complex and chelate to metal ions and describe the redox chemistry of these. Describe the importance of plants as a source of medicines. Recognise the structures, chirality and reactions of carbohydrates and proteins.
- Acquire reliable experimental data, manipulate it numerically where necessary and report it concisely in a variety of word processed or other formats.
Life Science and Medicine
30 credits
This module is designed to introduce cell biology particularly with reference to the human body and pathological micro-organisms affecting it. In conjunction with biological concepts, this module is designed to pick up concepts in organic and physical chemistry covered in the parallel module (PY4130, Foundation Chemistry for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and to go into them in more detail. On completing the module you will have the background biology and chemistry required to identify the intended target for disease and infection in relation to drug structure and functional groups.
In Year 2 you will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of option modules, enabling you to specialise in an area that particularly interests you.
Throughout the course there is an emphasis on a vocational application of knowledge. You will undertake a work placement in a related workplace for a minimum of one day a week - for example, in a community pharmacy or a pharmaceutical company. Work experience may be paid or voluntary and will help you put your studies into practice. We will help you find a placement if you are not already working in such a position when you start the course.
Core modules
Medicines, Health and Wellbeing
30 credits
This module is optional for students on the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, although core for students wishing to progress to the MPharm. It allows you to examine health promotion within community pharmacy with reference to current campaigns. You will come up with your own health promotion materials. There is also a practical dispensing element which gives experience of handling different types of dosage forms. The module also allows you to go on a placement in a pharmacy-related workplace with access to patients. You will give detailed consideration as to why patients turn up for help from a pharmacist, how they can be most suitably helped and what special needs or requirements they may have. Approximately 15% of the teaching time is spent in practicals and workshops to emphasise these concepts, and an additional 15% are based in a workplace environment.
Cells, Tissues and Organ Systems
30 credits
This is a core module for the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences. It introduces biomolecules commonly found in cells, tissues and organ systems that make up the human body. The module is designed to give you a detailed knowledge of how the human body works with particular reference to disease states when appropriate. The delivery relies on Canvas to provide the majority of the background information with tutorials supporting discussion of this material.
The Science of Medicines
30 credits
This module is core in the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences for students who wish to progress onto the MPharm. It introduces key concepts in the manufacture and use of medicines in pharmaceutics. It provides you with an understanding of the links between fundamental physicochemical properties of drugs, the formulations of dosage forms and the route of delivery of drugs into the body. The making and labelling of extemporaneous preparations are undertaken as relevant to the clinical practice of pharmacy.
Introduction to Spectroscopy and Experimental Techniques
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and procedures such as weighing and volumetry, proceeding to descriptions of laboratory manipulations, elemental analysis and general practical knowledge. There is included an introduction to spectroscopic techniques in terms of simple theory, as well as a practical introduction to the identification of simple organic compounds. These compounds will sometimes be synthesised in the course of the practical element of the module, which will also serve to demonstrate laboratory techniques of preparation and purification of these organic materials.
Core modules
Cells, Tissues and Organ Systems
30 credits
This is a core module for the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences. It introduces biomolecules commonly found in cells, tissues and organ systems that make up the human body. The module is designed to give you a detailed knowledge of how the human body works with particular reference to disease states when appropriate. The delivery relies on Canvas to provide the majority of the background information with tutorials supporting discussion of this material.
Introduction to Spectroscopy and Experimental Techniques
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and procedures such as weighing and volumetry, proceeding to descriptions of laboratory manipulations, elemental analysis and general practical knowledge. There is included an introduction to spectroscopic techniques in terms of simple theory, as well as a practical introduction to the identification of simple organic compounds. These compounds will sometimes be synthesised in the course of the practical element of the module, which will also serve to demonstrate laboratory techniques of preparation and purification of these organic materials.
Optional modules
Year 2 MPharmSci Route options
30 credits
Choose two from the following:
Work-based Dissertation
This module offers a chance to produce a dissertation on a work-based topic of the students' choosing which incorporates data from literature sources, as well as data collected from the work-based placement itself. This module will build upon components learnt, but in greater detail from the Academic and Professional Skills portfolio. The module facilitates the development of research skills and data collection in the workplace; incorporating communication, ICT and learning at an independent level.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate a range of literature sources of information.
- Collect and analyse data from a workplace environment.
- Prepare and present a substantial document of researched data and original analysis using contemporary IT tools.
- Condense the above report into a short audio-visual presentation using IT presentation tools and technology; demonstrate the ability to answer questions on that presentation.
Medicines, Health and Wellbeing
This module examines health promotion within community pharmacy with reference to current campaigns and in response, to recommend health promotion materials. There is also a practical dispensing element which gives experience of handling different types of dosage forms. The module facilitates a placement in a pharmacy-related workplace with access to patients to assess why patients seek advice from the pharmacist, how they can be most suitably helped and what special needs or requirements they may have.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to collect, evaluate and assimilate information through verbal and written presentations
- Carry out extemporaneous compounding of complex pharmaceuticals, and the dispensing of simple commercially-produced preparations (including their labelling)
- Discuss how pharmacy professionals can contribute to the promotion of good health and prevention of ill-health by choosing, after accessing and critically analysing information for various health promotion topics, strategies for health promotion for different health topics
- Discuss factors affecting the health and illness from a patient's perspective and those factors that lead a patient to consult a healthcare professional, including consulting a pharmacist or referral to a pharmacy. The influence of social factors and inequalities on health will also be discussed
- Apply appropriate counselling skills in the workplace to obtain information from the patient and ensure the patient acknowledges and understands the information provided
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements of specific patient groups (including considerations of ethnicity) and special needs arising from disability together with suitable strategies for dealing with them.
Organic and Physical Chemistry
This module introduces the structure and isomerism observed in organic molecules and further deals with the preparation and chemical reactions (including the mechanisms involved) of the hydrocarbons and monofunctional organic molecules. The main principles of molecular systems, chemical reactivity and kinetics, including those of gas-phase reactions, are described before presenting the essential principles of chemical thermodynamics and molecular quantum mechanics.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Describe the structures and shapes of simple organic molecules, explaining the origins and effects of the different kinds of isomerism that can arise within them.
- Describe the preparation and properties of hydrocarbons and monofunctional organic molecules, including the mechanisms involved in their reactions.
- Explain the behaviour of gases and the kinetics of gas-phase reactions in molecular terms.
- Apply thermodynamic and quantum mechanical principles to aspects of the energetics and structures of molecules, and to chemical reactions.
- Carry out and report laboratory procedures according to given protocols.
- Demonstrate appropriate Level 4 key skills in written communication, numeracy, data collection and analysis, including graphical analysis.
The Science of Medicines
This module introduces key concepts in the manufacture and use of medicines in pharmaceutics and microbiology. The module provides an understanding of the links between fundamental physicochemical properties of drugs, the formulation of drugs and the route of delivery of drugs into the body. Fundamental concepts relevant to the clinical microbiology of disease-causing organisms, their classification, their manipulation, and their use in manufacturing are also explored.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Understand the relevance of physico-chemical principles and techniques in the design, production and performance of disperse and, semi-solid dosage products for external and internal use.
- Link the role of excipients (eg surface active agents) in the preparation and stability of drug delivery systems for efficacious administration to patients.
- Describe the interaction of a physical system (ie formulation or preparation) with the physiological environment, and particularly with biological membranes.
- Understand the fundamental aspects of disease-causing microbial organisms, their identification and manipulation, as well as the exploitation of microbes in the development of vaccines, sterility tests and recombinant biotechnology.
- Conduct practical experimental procedures and generate reports related to the lecture and workshop course.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Teaching include lectures, workshops, tutorials and practical classes.
Who teaches this course
The course is based at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing. Faculty staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up to date education possible.
Staff will use their experience and professional networks to hone your skills and shape you into the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Facilities
Facilities at the Penrhyn Road campus include:
The pharmacy lab: Central to your learning is our new pharmacy practice laboratory, designed to allow you to experience what it is like in a real pharmacy and finesse your skills before you start working in the health service. Based at our Penrhyn Road campus, the £420,000 centre includes:
- 40 medicine-dispensing stations;
- a pharmacy counter;
- a consulting area; and
- computers connected to the Nexphase system (used in many local pharmacies).
You practice your people and diagnostic skills through role plays, taking it in turns to play the patient.
When dispensing prescriptions you have to make all the same checks that you would make in a real pharmacy, including:
- analysing prescriptions to check they have been filled in correctly by doctors;
- checking clinical issues such as how one medicine might interact with another; and
- advising pretend patients on how to take their prescriptions.
Other facilities: You will also have access to:
- the £9.8million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of the art laboratories;
- specialist equipment, such as:
- gas and liquid chromatography;
- electron microscopy;
- a range of spectrometers, including mass spectrometers, infrared spectrometers and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers;
- nuclear science equipment;
- thermal analysis;
- x-ray diffractometers; and
- electrochemical analysis;
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
The Learning Resources Centre offers:
- subject libraries, plus a free inter-library loan scheme to other libraries in the Greater London area;
- online database subscriptions; and
growing selection of resource materials.
Course fees and funding
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
After you graduate
Careers and progression
Through a pharmacy or chemistry degree you'll be well prepared for roles in community or hospital pharmacies, or in the pharmaceutical industry. Further study can lead to a career as a registered pharmacist or in drug/medicine research.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council, until 2020 entry, to allow graduates who have attained the required standards direct entry to Year 2 of the Master of Pharmacy programme.
What our students say
Work placements
How you can work in industry during your course
All students undertake a placement in a business or NHS environment throughout the course, perhaps in a community pharmacy or a pharmaceutical company, for example. This will be for at least one day a week and can be either paid or voluntary. An agreement is set up between the employer and the University recognising that elements of your work will contribute to your studies.
We encourage you to find your own placement, but we can also help you to find a suitable employer if necessary.
Changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).