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Pharmacy Program at University College Cork

The Pharmacy program at University College Cork is a five-year, full-time degree course that leads to a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) qualification. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to practice as a pharmacist in a variety of settings, including community, hospital, and industry.

Course Outline

The program covers four main areas of study: pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, formulation design, drug action in the body, and the practice of pharmacy. The course incorporates both basic sciences learning and the practice of pharmacy, as well as a number of unpaid/paid placements.

Year 1 Modules

• 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)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the BPharm/MPharm program, students will be able to:

• Register with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI)
• Evaluate interventions to improve prescribing in practice and within the healthcare team
• Practice 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 counseling 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 manufacturing of emerging medicines
• Outline the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic basis of disease, drug therapy, and drug delivery
• Recognize 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

Course Practicalities

• Expected lecture/lab/practical hours: This is a full-time degree course with a typical day starting with lectures in the morning followed by laboratory sessions in the afternoon
• Expected reading hours: Students are responsible for reading around their subjects to build on the foundation of knowledge laid down by the lectures
• Field trips and practice placements: One site visit per year to local pharmaceutical industries is usually organized, in addition to placements in hospital or community pharmacies

Placements

Placements are an integral part of the program over the five years and can be carried out in community, hospital, or industry settings, as well as within regulatory organizations. The final eight-month placement in Year 5 must be carried out in a patient-facing setting.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment, including multiple-choice questions, practical reports, computer-aided exams, essays, and research reports.

Staff

Our staff members have connections with the pharmaceutical industry, and some are practicing pharmacists who bring their work experiences directly into the lecture theaters and laboratories.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum, where we emphasize the connection between students, learning, research, and leadership through our vision for a Connected University.

Why Choose This Course

• Purpose-built pharmacy building with state-of-the-art facilities
• Research-led teaching by all staff
• Wide-ranging opportunities for structured PhD programs
• Strong contacts with the pharmaceutical industry, local hospitals, and community pharmacies, providing inter-professional learning opportunities and placements

Requirements

• Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements: At least six subjects must be presented, with minimum grades of H4 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects, including English, Irish, Maths, another language, Chemistry, and either Physics or Biology
• EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications: Equivalent school-leaving qualifications are accepted
• Mature Students: Apply via the CAO by February 1, with a statement of interest and possible interview
• Fitness to Practise: This program is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy
• Student Garda Vetting: All students on this program will undergo Garda vetting

Fees and Costs

• Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student affects the course fees applicable to you
• The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme
• A postgraduate fee will have to be paid for the fifth year of this program

How to Apply

• Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants: Apply via the CAO
• Mature Applicants: Apply via the CAO by February 1
• QQI/FET Applicants: Apply via the CAO
• Non-EU Applicants: Apply online via the UCC Apply portal

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