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Clinical drug development

Clinical drug development is available for study to MSc or PGDip level, over a period of one year full-time or two- five years part time (variable mode).

We have developed a modular postgraduate programme in clinical drug development designed to give you the necessary academic background and specialist skills needed to carry out clinical drug development in a contract research organisation, pharmaceutical industry or health service environment.

If you are a nurse, medical doctor or other health professional working in contract research organisations, the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare, this programme has been designed for you.

The programme will:

Allow you the option to study on a flexible part-time basis, or by distance learning.
Give you an understanding of the regulatory framework underlying clinical research.
Teach you to understand the principles of laboratory methodologies applied to clinical trials.
Give you understanding of the steps involved in developing and implementing new drugs.
Cover the key areas of expertise needed for a successful clinical research programme.
Develop your skills and understanding in clinical microbiology, and will give you a thorough knowledge of associated subjects such as molecular biology. Clinical drug development is available for study to MSc or PGDip level, over a period of one year full-time or two- five years part time (variable mode). You may also study the MSc or PGDip as a distance learning programme.

The modular nature of the programme is designed to fit in with full-time employment. The taught elements of the modules are delivered in three-day blocks every six weeks.

To achieve a postgraduate diploma, you must complete and pass eight modules. The MSc award is dependent on your successful completion of a further four modules, including a dissertation.

Full-time
Undertaking a masters programme is a serious commitment, with weekly contact hours being in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research needed to progress at the required level. When coursework or examination deadlines are approaching independent learning hours may need to increase significantly. Please contact the course convenor for precise information on the number of contact hours per week for this programme.

Distance learning
This programme is distance learning, delivered online by our easy-to-use online virtual learning environment.

You will be able to follow each lecture online via audio recordings and slide/whiteboard content. All written assignments are submitted through the blackboard system and poster and oral presentations assessed through SKYPE/webcam system. You are encouraged to interact with teaching staff and other students in online discussion forums, join group activities and be part of the student community.

Part-time
This programme is also available to study Part-time which means that the number of modules taken is reduced per semester, with the full modules required to complete the programme spread over two academic years. Teaching is generally done during the day and part-time students should contact the course convenor to get an idea of when these teaching hours are likely to take place. Timetables are likely to be finalised in September but you may be able to gain an expectation of what will be required.

Core modules
Clinical Study Design
Practical Aspects of Clinical Research and Early Drug Development
Ethics and Regulation
Data Management and Statistics
Specific Topics in Clinical Trial Design
Elective Dissertation
Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics
Marketing Healthcare
Dissertation
Drug Discovery and Pre-clinical Research and Development
Toxicology.
Option modules
Health and the Human Body
Healthcare Organisation and Decision-making.

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