Applied pharmacology is the study of how drugs and medications affect how our body works. Drugs can be used to both maintain a healthy lifestyle and treat or cure disease. This course will provide you with the skills to work in a variety of areas related to the pharmaceutical industry and the broader area of research. In the first two years, you will gain a grounding in the core areas of the biological sciences. During this time you will study a range of modules and there is a significant practical element where you will develop laboratory skills, such as pippetting, microscopy, blood pressure recording and respiratory performance. In Year Three, you will begin to focus on a range of specific areas of pharmacology, such as effects of drugs on the brain, treatments for cancer and the use of drugs to treat arthritis. Within some of the modules, there is an opportunity to select areas which are of personal interest with the hope of allowing you to determine which area you want to focus your career in. In Year Four, the majority of your time will be spent on your dissertation which will involve you carrying out a personal experimental research project. This will enhance the skills and knowledge that will be required in the workplace. In addition to this, further modules will enhance your understanding and critical evaluation of pharmacology. Most modules involve student-centered learning, as well as tutor-led lectures, tutorials, labs and workshops.

This course has been brilliant so far, covering a range of very interesting topics: biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, neuroscience; to more in-depth pharmacology-based modules such as Performance Enhancing Drugs and Molecular Pharmacology, and I have developed practical laboratory, presentation and research skills. It's great that in each year you can also pick topics of research that interest you the most, so that you can develop your understanding of key areas of biological science. A placement is not part of this course, but I decided to seek some laboratory experience to further develop my skills. I took part in a six week research project funded by Medical Research Scotland, and based at QMU, titled, Interaction of resveratrol and oestradiol in isolated arterial rings.. We were investigating if compounds found in red wine, when combined with the main female sex hormone, could relax major blood vessels and possibly reduce blood pressure. I was fully tutored and supervised throughout the whole placement by QMU staff and I really enjoyed being part of a team of laboratory researchers. I even completed a small research write-up on my findings, which was presented to the trustees of Medical Research Scotland. The placement experience has definitely strengthened my desire to pursue a career as a laboratory-based medical researcher. On the whole, I'd say that student life has been challenging, exciting, and a fun experience. I have developed my knowledge to a high level, made life-long friendships, and I have learned skills which I am sure will assist me throughout my future where I hope to work as a research scientist, developing drugs and treatment techniques for illnesses, hopefully in my main area of interest, which is neurodegenerative disease.