2012/2013 Programme Specification Data
Programme Name
Programme Number
Programme Award
QAA Subject Benchmark
Statements
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Programme Aims

Programme Learning
Outcomes: Knowledge and
Understanding
MSc
Chemistry
The aim of this programme is to furnish students with the
advanced technical skills and knowledge base that is
required in the field of instrumental analysis and which will
enable them to pursue careers as analysts in the chemical
and/or pharmaceutical industry.
 More specifically the programme aims to:
• extend and deepen the student’s comprehension of key
concepts in instrumental analysis and to provide them
with an in-depth understanding of the specialised
aspects of the subject area.
• provide students with the ability to plan and carry out
experiments
using
instrumental
techniques
independently; to interpret the data; assess the quality
of the data and to assess the significance of the
outcomes.
• develop in the students the skill-set necessary to adapt
and apply methodologies to the solution of unfamiliar
problems.
prepare students effectively for professional employment or
further studies at a doctoral level.
A Knowledge and understanding of:
1. To develop an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness
of the application of modern methods of instrumental
analysis that will prepare the student for contemporary
professional practice.
2. To extend and deepen the student’s knowledge of and
capability in using a range of instruments and
instrumental techniques that are of contemporary
importance in the chemical and pharmaceutical sciences
and, through a programme of practical engagement,
provide them with the opportunity to advance their
3.
4.
5.
6.
Programme Learning
Outcomes: Intellectual Skills
practical skills in the use of these instruments in
unfamiliar environments
Research training. The programme will extend and
deepen project specific skills acquired at undergraduate
level. These skills include advanced training in the use of
literature search engines; the self-directed planning of
research and evaluation of hazards and environmental
impacts; the oral presentation of key concepts to an
expert audience and the writing of reports (including
critical evaluation).
Advanced studies in instrumental methods of analysis. To
extend and deepen the student’s grasp of the advanced
concepts underpinning the subject matter and prepare the
student to be capable of effectively engaging with the
literature of instrumental methods of analysis.
Problem solving. The programme will provide the student
with structured opportunities to develop strategies
including the application of advanced studies to the
solution of problems in new or unfamiliar contexts.
Professional studies. The programme will inculcate the
ethical and social responsibilities of the professional
analyst which includes professional adherence to honesty
and the keeping of reliable accounts of laboratory work.
B Intellectual skills:
The student will:
1. Further develop and extend their ability to integrate theory
and practice to solve complex problems of a familiar and
unfamiliar nature, within multi-disciplinary contexts;
2. Further develop their ability to synthesise key conceptual
and factual information and data from a variety of sources
in a way that provides evidence of advanced
understanding of key concepts;
3. Demonstrate the skills necessary to plan, conduct and
report on a piece of original research in an independent
and self-directed fashion;
4. Develop the necessary learning skills that permits them to
identify learning needs and to undertake study that is
autonomous and self-directed;
5. Further develop and extend their personal professional
skills. These skills include recognition of their professional
duty to comply with codes of good practice in data
collection and processing; understand the moral and
ethical issues associated with laboratory and field
investigations and the need to adhere to strict ethical
standards and professional codes of conduct.
Programme Learning
Outcomes: Subject Practical
Skills
C Subject Practical skills:
1. Extend and deepen their practical skills so as to be
capable of solving practical problems associated with the
design and maintenance of analytical protocols within a
professional or workplace context
2. Demonstrate the required level of professional
competence in the planning, conduct, evaluation and
reporting of the results of investigations, including the
appropriate use of literature and secondary data.
3. Extend the ability to correctly identify and synthesise
advanced concepts that inform the application of
appropriate practical techniques to the solution of
problems encountered during the project; and to use and
develop these advanced theories and concepts to provide
the scientific basis for understanding and explaining the
science underpinning their practical data and the
outcomes of the project.
4. Demonstrate a professional understanding of the need for
and regulations encompasses within good laboratory
practice.
Demonstrate (i) the ability to work safely and responsibly
in a laboratory/workplace, including the ability to prepare
and use risk and COSHH assessments; (ii) the ability to
undertake laboratory investigations in a responsible, safe
and ethical manner; and (iii) an awareness of
Health&Safety issues and legal responsibilities.
Programme Learning
Outcomes: Transferable/Key
Skills
D Transferable/ key skills:
The student will:
1. Further develop and extend their written and verbal
communication skills so as to permit effective
communication and interaction with professionals from
other disciplines;
2. Extend and deepen their range of generic skills that they
developed at an undergraduate level including the use of
IT, presentation skills and their development as selfdirected autonomous learners;
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of issues
associated with sample selection, accuracy, precision and
uncertainty in the collection and analysis of data;
4. Demonstrate the ability to make decisions in complex and
unpredictable situations; and to demonstrate an
understanding of the dangers of decision-making based
on incomplete information;
5. Demonstrate problem solving skills including the
demonstration of self direction and originality;
6. Demonstrate a range of professional level personal skills
including the ability to work both independently and as
part of a team; the ability to plan projects and use time
management skills; the ability to exercise initiative and
personal responsibility; and recognise the moral and
ethical issues associated with their professional practice;
7. Demonstrate an autonomous and reflective approach to
lifelong learning; and demonstrate both self-direction and
originality.
Programme Learning
Outcomes: Graduate
Attributes
Teaching and Learning
Methods
None
A Teaching and learning:
Seven taught courses of lectures and tutorials are taken that are
designed to communicate advanced knowledge in specific
aspects of modern instrumental analysis. The taught courses are
relevant to the student’s particular needs, which are appropriate
to the outcomes specified in the course outlines. In the research
project, which will involve working up to three days a week in the
laboratory, full-time students will undertake all the necessary
practical work to develop and validate an analytical technique
and extend the critical range of computer competencies –
acquired at undergraduate level - that are necessary to assess
their results and data.
B Teaching and learning
Intellectual skills are developed through practical/project work,
tutorial/seminar work and coursework assignments. Open-ended
practical or project work is designed to permit students to
demonstrate achievement of all learning outcomes in this section.
In tutorial/seminar work acquisition of intellectual skills is
achieved through problem solving exercises involving the
analysis or interpretation of data. Coursework assignments,
particularly at higher levels of the programme, often involve the
synthesis of information from a variety of sources in unfamiliar
contexts.
C Teaching and learning
Subject practical skills are developed in a progressive manner
throughout the programme.
D Teaching and learning
Computer, problem-solving, teamwork, practical laboratory and
presentation skills are developed in a contextualised manner
throughout the programme. These skills are enhanced in
seminars, workshops, practical laboratory sessions and
coursework assignments.
Assessment Methods
A Assessment Methods: The assessment methods associated
with each course are defined in the individual course
specifications. In general each course, apart from the analytical
problem solving course and project, is assessed by a
combination of examination, practical coursework and problem
solving exercises. The nature of the coursework assessment
varies from course to course.
B Assessment Methods: Intellectual skills are partly assessed
through formal examinations but assessment of coursework and
practical or project reports also play an important part. A variety
of assessment methods are used including formal reports,
essays, oral presentations and open-book tests.
C Assessment Methods: The practical abilities of the student
are assessed in the practical (laboratory) aspects of individual
programmes and also in the Research Project – a core course of
the MSc programme. This assessment includes their laboratorybased skills, their approach to a critical review of the literature,
critical review of techniques used, and evaluation of the resulting
data. In addition the abstract, discussion and conclusions of the
project are also assessed.
D Assessment Methods: A variety of assessment methods are
used to assess transferable key skills. These include problem
solving. These assessments are contextualised in A, B and C
above.