Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the science of how chemical substances interact with living systems to produce their effects. It is the foundational discipline for drug discovery and development, underpinning everything from the design of new medicines to the understanding of why existing drugs have side effects, how they interact with one another, and why the same drug can have very different effects in different patients. Pharmacologists investigate how drugs bind to molecular targets in cells, how those interactions are translated into physiological effects, and how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolises, and excretes therapeutic compounds.
The discipline draws on biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, and chemistry in an integrated way.
At the University of Chester you will study this three-year full-time degree with a typical entry tariff of 104 points. Across the programme you will examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which drugs exert their effects, studying pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in depth. You will explore the major drug classes and their therapeutic applications across systems including the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
The principles of drug discovery and the pathway from laboratory research to clinical use are covered, giving you an understanding of how new medicines are identified, tested, and brought to patients. Laboratory work forms an important part of the programme, developing your practical skills in techniques used in pharmacological research, alongside data analysis and scientific communication.
Pharmacology graduates are in demand across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in academic research, in clinical research organisations, and in regulatory agencies. Career roles include research scientist, clinical research associate, regulatory affairs specialist, pharmacovigilance officer, and medical science liaison. The degree also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in pharmacology, drug discovery, toxicology, or pharmacy, with some graduates going on to graduate-entry medicine, pharmacy, or PhD research.
The analytical and laboratory skills developed during the degree are also transferable to careers in medical devices, diagnostics, and life science consultancy.