Introduction
This course will provide students with an understanding of the scientific foundations of the study of pharmacology. This includes the basic principles of drug action, including receptor theory, agonism and antagonism, the principal classes of drug targets and signal transduction mechanisms. Concurrently, the course will provide an introduction to pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism.
This course will comprise three core teaching blocks, a self-directed learning block involving independent and group work, and a 14-week research project.
The Course Director is Dr Chioma Izzi-Engbeaya.
Aims and objectives
The course will investigate the following core areas:
- Receptors as drug targets
- Hormones as drug targets
- Enzymes and ion channels as drug targets
- Data handling and statistics
- Critical appraisal of scientific writing
- Scientific writing
At the end of the course the students will be able to:
- understand the nature and purpose of the scientific method and its relation to the practice of medicine
- understand the importance of receptors, enzymes and ion channels as drug targets
Eligibility Criteria
This is a one-year intercalated BSc. To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be registered on a recognised Medical, Dental or Veterinary course at a UK or Irish university.
- Have completed at least one year of that course before you apply to Imperial. i.e. you must be at least in Year 2 in 2023/24.
- Have at least one year of your degree left when you return to your home institution after completing your intercalated BSc.
Application Process
The application process for 2025-26 entry will open on Tuesday 1st October. The application deadline will be 4pm on Friday 28th February.
Selection is based on your application form and the supporting documents you will upload with your application. Please find further information about the application process in the Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2024-25 entry (PDF)
The BSc Pharmacology will run from Monday 22 September 2025 until Friday 22 May 2026. The term dates can be found in the iBSc Term Dates & Course Structure_Academic Year 2024-25
If you have any queries about the application process, please email the Faculty Education Office (BSc Team) at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.
Second Round of Applications
Unsuccessful or wait-listed applicants will be given the opportunity to make a second application to any BSc course with space remaining.
Please contact feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk if you have any queries.