Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 3 Modules

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

The BSc Pharmaceutical Science degree was designed from the beginning with a focus on employer engagement/student employability. Examples of employer engagement include:

A number of guest speakers from the pharmaceutical industry are engaged to enhance the learning experience of the students, raise their industry awareness, and inform them of their employability prospects within it.

The delivery of specialist lectures/workshops on the topic of Quality Control is facilitated by the engagement of at least two Qualified Persons from industry.

Local employers also facilitate the provision of the third year project either by providing a summer work placement, a short work experience placement or by designing and leading an in-house industry directed project.

Employers also participate in the assessment of project presentations.

Section 2.2.3 gives a more comprehensive review of this area.

Means of Assessment

The assessments employed reflect the subject areas commitment to a blended yet tailored approach to teaching, learning, and assessment, they are in line with the University of South Wales assessment tariff, and are governed by the emphasis placed on the learning outcomes of the modules themselves, i.e., to adequately assess the skills and competencies of the students as well as their academic knowledge and ability to formulate reasoned arguments etc. Examples of the varied types of assessments employed
throughout the course include: unseen written examinations, practical write-ups, problem sheets, computer assignments, essays, on-line tests, in class tests, portfolios, oral presentations, poster presentations, etc. The means of assessment are varied with some modules being assessed 100% through coursework while others are assessed through a mix of coursework and examination. The coursework/examination weighting is variable, reflecting the different aims of the modules.

Learning Support

Written Support:

Course booklets (paper and electronic copies) are made available during and after enrolment/induction outlining key procedures and regulations, overall course content etc.

Module booklets that generally outline the module content, assessment criteria, module team and their contacts, a schedule of work/lectures where appropriate, a copy of the formal module descriptor and a copy of a past exam paper (where appropriate) usually in both paper and electronic form.

Students also have access to the on-line database (ICIS) defining all modules.

Students are provided with printed lecture notes or copies of slides used in lectures, printed practical manuals, and electronic copies of all paper-based learning material and other on-line learning material is provided through Blackboard.

The Learning Resources Centre provides a range of text, journal and on-line material.

Physical Support:

Modern well equipped chemistrry/biology/analytical laboratories

Computer Laboratories

Facilities provided by the Learning Resource Centre

Personal Academic Support is provided by:

Module leader

Course leader

Subject Leader

Personal Tutor

Personal academic tutor at level 3 and 4

Technical Demonstrators

Laboratory Technicians

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

It is expected that the majority of students graduating from this award will go on to gain employment in the pharma sector/chemical industry/clinical research organisations. Graduates from this award are well placed to go on to further study the following programmes at USW• MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry• MRes. Applied Sciences• MSc Data Science• MSc Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology• PhDGraduates from this award are also well placed to study other related research programmes at other institutions.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Entry to the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages – Presently. We take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable, according to the USW current admissions policy.
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
Typical A-Level Offer
BCC -  to include Chemistry and normally one other Science but excluding General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Grade C and BC at A Level to include Chemistry and Biology but to exclude General Studies
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to include Chemistry and Science but to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant subject to include Chemistry and Biology modules (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical IB Offer
Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including a score of 5 in Chemistry and one other Science subject at Higher Level. You will also need to obtain a score of 5 or above in English at standard level.
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

International Entry Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.

Additional Science Requirements
Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested academic levels.

Entry to the Foundation Year of the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages - Presently DD (48 points)

Typical A-Level Offer: EE to include a relevant Science subject but exclude General Studies

Typical Welsh BACC Offer: N/A

Typical BTEC Offer: BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass in a relevant subject

Typical IB Offer: Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points from Higher Levels

Typical Access to HE Offer: Pass Access to HE Diploma in Science with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points

Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable.

Those without such qualifications are considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account.

The University’s English Language Requirements must also be met.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A