Master's Programme in Pharmaceutical Science, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

Entry to the degree programme requires a Degree of Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science of at least 180 credits or equivalent qualification. English A/6 and Swedish for general entry requirements for higher education if the programme is offered in Swedish.

Degree

After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science (120 credits) and/or a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor, see https://www.umu.se/student/mina-studier/examen/krav-och-huvudomraden/examensbeskrivningar/ 

In Swedish, Degree of Master in Pharmaceutical Science is called Masterexamen i farmaci. In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy is called Apotekarexamen.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9. Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.
 
Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work. Ordinance (2006:173).

National goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
 
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
 
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work,
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

 
Judgement and approach
 
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Local goals for current degree

In addition to the national goals, the student shall for a Degree of Master in Pharmaceutical Science at Umeå University

• have acquired broadened knowledge or specialisation through elective courses
• demonstrate advanced critical thinking and a scientific working method
• demonstrate advanced knowledge in oral/written presentation, information retrieval, collaboration, and communication.

Examination format

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.

https://www.umu.se/utbildning/universitetsstudier---sa-funkar-det/examen/tillgodoraknanden/

General

The programme is web-based except for certain course components, the degree project, and certain elective courses. Students gather in virtual meeting rooms for group discussions, question times, or compulsory units. In-person meetings for, in particular, laboratory activities take place in Umeå. Meetings in Umeå are arranged two to five times per semester.

The first year of the Master's Programme in Pharmaceutical Science starts with advanced courses in Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry. Thereafter, specialised courses in the Biomedical Genetics, how drugs are absorbed, distributed, and secreted from the body, how the pharmacist can contribute to rational drug use in cooperation with healthcare, preparation and production of drugs, as well as drug development and approval of drugs. Year two starts with a specialised course focusing on the use of drugs from a societal perspective. During year two, a 30-credit degree project in Pharmacy is completed. It is possible to broaden your knowledge or specialise through elective courses.

It is also possible to obtain a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy by taking the compulsory courses in the Master's Programme in Pharmaceutical Science (including Degree Project in Pharmacy, 30 credits) and the course Applied Pharmacy Practice II, 24 credits. In order to qualify for the Master's Programme in Pharmaceutical Science and thus have the opportunity to obtain a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy based on qualification descriptor for a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy, a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy of at least 180 credits or equivalent is required.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed a seat in all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the course in question are met. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus. 

Year 1
Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry 15 credits
Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry 7.5 credits
Biophysical Chemistry with Applications in Pharmaceutical Chemistry 7.5 credits
Biomedical Genetics 8 credits
Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism 4.5 credits
Clinical pharmacy 7.5 credits
Drug formulation 7 credits
Drug development and regulatory requirements 3 credits

Year 2
Pharmacoepidemiology and Health Economics 6 credits
Degree Project in Pharmacy 30 credits

Applied Pharmacy Practice II 24 credits*
Or elective courses 24 credits

*The course Applied Pharmacy Practice II is compulsory for a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy

Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses that Umeå University offers within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses to enrol in. The student is guaranteed a seat in one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed a seat in their first choice courses. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus.

Pharmacotherapy in the Elderly 7.5 credits
Advanced Pharmacotherapy 7.5 credits
Extemporaneous Compounding of Drug Products 7.5 credits
Clinical Trials and Drug Development  7.5 credits
Applied Pharmacy Practice II* 24 credits

*The course Applied Pharmacy Practice II is compulsory for a Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy

Free electives
Free electives within the programme are applied for in open competition. Free electives can be studied at Umeå University or at other higher education institutions in Sweden or abroad.

Programme overview, Master of Pharmaceutical Science
 

Programme overview, Master of Science in Pharmacy 
 

Certain courses may be taken together, which is evident from the current course schedules. The above schedule is preliminary and may change from one year to another. The current schedule is available on the programme website.

Degree Project
The degree project in the Master's Programme in Pharmaceutical Science may be started once the entry requirements in the course syllabus have been met. For the Degree of Master of Pharmaceutical Science, the student shall, within the scope of the course requirements, have completed a degree project of at least 30 credits at a second-cycle level within the main field of study. The degree project may comprise less than 30 credits, but at least 15 credits, if the student has already completed a degree project at a second-cycle level comprising at least 15 credits within the main field of study.

In the project, the student shall apply the knowledge acquired during their studies. The result shall be presented in a written report/thesis. The work shall include some form of topic-specific specialisation in the area of Pharmaceutical Science. The degree project is completed individually.

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Other

In order to gain entry to the course Applied Pharmacy Practice II, the student must meet the entry requirements before the course starts. Entry requirements for Applied Pharmacy Practice II 24 credits are: Degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy 180 credits or equivalent and completed courses in Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry 15 credits, Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry 7.5 credits, Biophysical Chemistry with Applications in Pharmaceutical Chemistry 7.5 credits in Biomedical Genetics 8 credits, Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism 4.5 credits, Clinical Pharmacy 7.5 credits, Drug formulation 7 credits, Drug development and regulatory requirements 3 credits, Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 6 credits and completed course in Degree Project in Pharmacy 30 credits or equivalent.