The pharmacy programme is a MPharm degree (Master of Pharmacy) (NFQ level 9). The Pharmacy regulator (the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, PSI) now requires graduates to have completed a Masters degree of Pharmacy before entering the PSI Register and practising as a Pharmacist. Students studying Pharmacy complete an integrated BPharm/MPharm programme over 5 years of study. Once students have passed the first four years (BPharm) they can progress to the fifth year (MPharm).

Applicants who are under 23 years of age must satisfy the minimum entry requirements of the College of Medicine and Health as set out here.

Entry on the Grounds of Mature Years
Applicants who have not satisfied the minimum entry requirements may, on the recommendation of College, be considered for admission on the grounds of mature years (see under "Mature Students" in the Admission to Undergraduate Programmes section of the University Calendar).

Student Declaration
All students are required to sign a Student Declaration. This Declaration clearly outlines student rights and student responsibilities as registered students of the UCC School of Pharmacy. Copies of the Declaration are available from the Pharmacy School Office on request.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Oral Examinations
Some modules of the BPharm/MPharm degree have provision for Oral Examinations following Written Examinations. Students are reminded that they are expected to be available until the examination session is over, in case they are called for such orals.

Attendance
Each student registered for the BPharm/MPharm degree is expected to attend all timetable teaching activities. In the case of absences through illness, a student must give notice of each absence in writing and submit a medical certificate to the School Secretary within 48 hours of return.
A student will not be permitted to enter for an examination at the conclusion of a module if attendance at that module is not considered satisfactory by the Deputy President and Registrar following a report by the Head of School. The decision of the Deputy President and Registrar is subject to the appeal of the Academic Council of the University.

Two Year Rule
Students of Pharmacy must pass/progress within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme. Students of Pharmacy are allowed to repeat any academic year once only and may not repeat any more than two academic years in any one programme.

REGULATIONS FOR THE BPharm/MPharm (Hons) DEGREE
The programme is defined in terms of modules, which are measured in terms of credits. A module may correspond to 5 credits or multiples of 5 credits. One year of a degree programme consists of modules to a total value of 60 credits in years 1 to 4. The final year is a level 9 qualification (MPharm) and will consist of modules to a total value of 90 credits.

First Year - Pharmacy
In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Pharmacy, each student must have attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

AN1075 Principles of Human Structure for Pharmacy Students (5 credits)
BC1443 Biochemistry (10 credits)
PF1009 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry (10 credits)
PF1010 Physiochemical Basis of Pharmaceuticals (5 credits)
PF1011 Pharmacy Practice I (5 credits)
PF1012 Introduction to Pharmaceutics: Formulation Science (10 credits)
PL1400 Introduction to Physiology for Pharmacy I (5 credits)
PL1401 Introduction to Physiology for Pharmacy II (5 credits)
PT1445 Foundation Pharmacology (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

No student may register for the Second Year programme of study until the First University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Second University Examination in Pharmacy a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

BC2443 Molecular Biology (5 credits)
MB2555 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Microbiology (10 credits)
PF2010 Professional Pharmacy Core Skills (5 credits)
PF2011 Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis (5 credits)
PF2012 Pharmaceutical Analysis (5 credits)
PF2013 Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5 credits)
PF2014 Pharmacy Practice II (5 credits)
PF2016 Pharmaceutical Technology(5 credits)
PF2017 Sterile Pharmaceutical Preparations (5 credits)
PT2448 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Drug Action and Toxicity (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

No student may register for the Third Year programme of study until the Second University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Third University Examination in Pharmacy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

PF3009 Gastrointestinal, Hepatic and Endocrine Systems (10 credits)
PF3010 Cardiovascular and Renal Systems (10 credits)
PF3011 Professional Practice III (5 credits)
PF3012 Respiratory, Musculoskeletal and Dermatology Systems (10 credits)
PF3013 Clinical Immunology and Infection (5 credits)
PF3014 Regulatory Science (5 credits)
PF3015 Pharmacokinetics: From Basic Principles to Clinical Applications (10 credits)
PF3016 Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

No student may register for the Fourth Year programme of study until the Third University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the BPharm Degree Examination, a student must therefore have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

PF4010 Organisation and Management Skills (10 credits)*
PF4011 Personal Skills (10 credits)*
PF4012 Professional Practice (10 credits)*
PF4013 Clinical Practice I (5 credits)
PF4014 Central Nervous System (10 credits)
PF4015 Novel Drug Delivery (5 credits)
PF4016 Pharmacy Research Project (10 credits)

*Modules will be completed while on placement.

Students repeating Fourth Year in 2019/20 may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the School. All repeat students will be required to take PF4010, PF4011 and PF4012. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Students who obtain their BPharm above are invited to progress to the fifth year MPharm programme.

No student may register for the Fifth Year programme of study until the Fourth University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the MPharm Degree Examination, a student must therefore have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 90 credits as follows:

Part I
PF6400 Clinical Practice II (5 credits)
PF6405 Biologics and Advanced Therapies - Pharmaceutical Strategies (5 credits)
PF6416 Professional Practice and Public Health (5 credits)*
PF6420 Oncology and Malignant Diseases: Drug Design, Advanced Therapies and Clinical Management (10 credits)
PF6421 Research Dissertation in Pharmacy (25 credits)*

Part II
PF6412 Reflective Practice (15 credits)*
PF6413 Professional Registration - Experiential Learning (15 credits)*
PF6414 Supply of Medicines and Organisation and Management Skills (5 credits)*
PF6415 Leading the Safe and Rational Use of Medicines (5 credits)*

*Modules will be completed while on placement.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Non-Pharmacy Exit Pathway for students not completing Second or Third Year Pharmacy
The BSc (Ordinary) (Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences), NFQ Level 7 (Major award), is an Ordinary degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for Year 2 or 3 of the Pharmacy degree in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who do not wish to continue with their Pharmacy degree after obtaining the pass standard for Year 1 or Year 2 of the Pharmacy degree. Such students may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, register instead for the BSc (Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences) ordinary degree. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Ordinary) (Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Pharmacist.

Year 2 BSc (Ordinary) (Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences)
In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences (Level 7), each student must have attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

BC2443 Molecular Biology (5 credits)
MB2555 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Microbiology (10 credits)
PF2011 Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis (5 credits)
PF2012 Pharmaceutical Analysis (5 credits)
PF2013 Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5 credits)
PF2014 Pharmacy Practice II (5 credits)
PF2015 Pharmaceutical Sciences Literature Review I (5 credits)
PF2016 Pharmaceutical Technology(5 credits)
PF2017 Sterile Pharmaceutical Preparations (5 credits)
PT2448 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Drug Action and Toxicity (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Year 3 BSc (Ordinary) (Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences)
In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences (NFQ Level 7), each student must have attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

PF3009 Gastrointestinal, Hepatic and Endocrine Systems (10 credits)
PF3010 Cardiovascular and Renal Systems (10 credits)
PF3012 Respiratory, Musculoskeletal and Dermatology Systems (10 credits)
PF3013 Clinical Immunology and Infection (5 credits)
PF3014 Regulatory Science (5 credits)
PF3015 Pharmacokinetics: From Basic Principles to Clinical Applications (10 credits)
PF3016 Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmaceuticals (5 credits)
PF3017 Pharmaceutical Sciences Literature Review II (5 credits)

Students who pass all modules in the Third Year Examinations in the BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences at the first or second attempt may choose to exit the programme and be awarded the BSc (Ord) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences (NFQ Level 7) or, following consultation with the Programme Leader, progress to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences, (NFQ Level 8). The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences does not confer eligibility to practise as a Pharmacist.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Non-Pharmacy Exit Pathway for Students not proceeding to Fourth Year Pharmacy
The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences, NFQ Level 8 is a non-pharmacy Honours degree pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Third Year Pharmacy but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not wish to continue with their pharmacy degree. Such students may register instead for the non-pharmacy BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences, commencing in Fourth Year. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Pharmacist. Neither does it allow a candidate to continue to the MPharm degree.

PF4013 Clinical Practice I (5 credits)
PF4014 Central Nervous System (10 credits)
PF4015 Novel Drug Delivery (5 credits)
PF4017 Pharmaceutical Healthcare Science Project (20 credits)

plus 20 credits from the following as prescribed by the School:
PF4018 Organisation and Management Skills in a Workplace Setting (10 credits)
PF4019 Professional Skills Development in a Workplace Setting (10 credits)
BC4017 Principles and Applications of Biotechnology (5 credits)
PT4005 Neuropharmacology (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MPharm (Hons) Degree (NFQ 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Register with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland on the Register of Pharmacists;
• Evaluate interventions to improve prescribing in practice and within the health care team;
• Practise Pharmacy competently in the primary care/secondary setting with due regard to the competencies set out in the Core Competency Framework for Pharmacists document;
• Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals for the purpose of counselling and advising on medicines and their safe usage and supply;
• Interpret and evaluate prescriptions and supply medicines in accordance with current legislation and professional codes of practice;
• Apply the physiochemical properties of drugs underpinning the design, development and manufacture of emerging medicines;
• Outline the physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic basis of disease, drug therapy and drug delivery;
• Recognise common disease states and respond appropriately to presented symptoms;
• Conduct a literature review, design a research protocol, collect and interpret data and write a dissertation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BPharm (Hons) Degree (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Define the role of the Pharmacist in hospital, community, industry, research environments and other positions where the pharmacist can be employed;
• Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals for the purpose of counselling and advising on medicines and their safe usage;
• Interpret and evaluate prescriptions and supply medicines in accordance with current legislation and professional codes of practice;
• Apply the physiochemical properties of drugs to the design of small and large molecules and biopharmaceutical drug delivery systems and recognise the principles of pharmaceutical manufacturing encompassing good manufacturing practice (GMP), quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC) and regulatory affairs;
• Apply the principles of chemistry underpinning the design, development, manufacture, analysis and quality control of pharmaceutical compounds and excipients;
• Outline the physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic basis of disease, drug therapy and drug delivery;
• Apply the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological principles underlying the use of medicines in health care;
• Recognise common disease states and respond appropriately to presented symptoms;
• Conduct a literature review, design a research protocol, collect and interpret data and write a dissertation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Pharmacist in the Republic of Ireland.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply the physiochemical properties of drugs to the design of small molecules and biopharmaceutical drug delivery systems and recognise the principles of pharmaceutical manufacturing encompassing good manufacturing practice (GMP), quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC) and regulatory affairs;
• Apply the principles of chemistry underpinning the design, development, manufacture, analysis and quality control of pharmaceutical compounds and excipients;
• Outline the physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic basis of disease, drug therapy and drug delivery;
• Apply the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological principles underlying the use of medicines in health care;
• Recognise common minor and major disease states;
• Conduct a literature review, design a research protocol, collect and interpret data and write a dissertation;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve problems relating to the action, design and manufacture of pharmaceutical compounds;
• Design and carry out experiments to test hypotheses or theories in pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry or pharmacology;
• Summarise all stages of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process from drug candidate selection to commercial manufacture.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Ordinary) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences (NFQ Level 7, Major Award)
BSc (Ordinary) Pharmaceutical Healthcare Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Pharmacist in the Republic of Ireland.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply the physiochemical properties of drugs to the design of small molecules and biopharmaceutical drug delivery systems and recognise the principles of pharmaceutical manufacturing encompassing good manufacturing practice (GMP), quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC) and regulatory affairs;
• Apply the principles of chemistry underpinning the design, development, manufacture, analysis and quality control of pharmaceutical compounds and excipients;
• Outline the physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic basis of disease, drug therapy and drug delivery;
• Apply the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological principles underlying the use of medicines in health care;
• Conduct a literature review, design a research protocol;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve problems relating to the action, design and manufacture of pharmaceutical compounds;
• Design and carry out experiments to test hypotheses or theories in pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry or pharmacology;
• Summarise some stages of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process from drug candidate selection to commercial manufacture.