Pharmacy - Clinical Pharmacy, MSc

About Pharmacy - Clinical Pharmacy, MSc - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

MSc Clinical Pharmacy is a two-year, part-time distance learning course specially designed for pharmacists employed in a healthcare setting, who want to enhance their clinical pharmacy knowledge and practice skills. Much of the learning is case-based so scientific and professional elements are integrated. The course is designed to maximise contact between student and tutor while allowing distance learning via the internet and through teleconferences/webinars with experienced medical and pharmacy practitioners.

What our students say ...

'The course encourages student engagement with speakers which is very positive. Student support on the course is excellent, very helpful when I encountered any difficulties on the course. '

Enda Molloy, MSc graduate

"I thought the MSc wasvery valuablebecause itgave me theconfidence that I was up to date with current evidence and best practice and provided me with the reference points to use for future practice.'

Rebecca Breslin, MSc Graduate

'Working full-time and having a young son of 15 months, I found that the correspondence and teleconference aspect of the course worked well. It meant that I didn't have child-minding arrangements to organise for lectures. It was easy enough to make arrangements for the two hours of the teleconference and I could hold him on my knee if I had to! Submitting continuous assessment work by e-mail meant there were no last minute dashes to the post office.'

Mairead McGuire, MSc graduate

'I have found the course very interesting and challenging in areas. I like the way it is organised and the way it makes good use of the web to allow students to work full time, and to a schedule that suits. I found everyone very helpful and very accessible.'

William Stack, MSC Graduate.

Course Details

Pathway 1 of the course consists of: a compulsory introductory webinar at the start of year 1; 60 credits of taught modules (part 1); 30 credits of a research project (part 2).

Part 1

60 credits:

PF6001 Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal (5 credits)
PF6005 Pharmacoeconomics (5 credits)
PF6006 Pharmacotherapy II (15 credits)

PF6007 Pharmacotherapy III (10 credits)

PF6009 Pharmacotherapy I (15 credits)
PF6010 Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Rational Use of Drugs (10 credits)

In Part 1, you must take a minimum of 30 credits in the first academic year. You cannot proceed to year 2 of the course unless you have passed year 1.

Part 2

30 credits:

PF6008 Research Project Clinical Pharmacy (30 credits)

The research project is carried out in the workplace under the supervision of an academic supervisor and your workplace tutor. You are expected to develop an understanding of the planning, execution and reporting of a research project. You will also develop problem-solving, project management and presentation skills.

After completion of the taught modules (60 credits), students can opt not to complete the course and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy.

Pathway II (one year course)

Students take 45 credits as follows:
PF6001 Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal (5 credits)
PF6007 Pharmacotherapy III (10 credits)
PF6008 Dissertation (30 credits)

A detailed description of the module objectives, content, learning outcomes and pass standards is provided in the UCC Book of Modules

Possible Option Exit Awards

Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (NFQ Level 9, Minor award)
Students unable to complete the full Master's programme may register for the Master's and, on completion of 30 credits (taught modules), may opt to exit the programme and be eligible for the Level 9 award of Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy. A student who subsequently applies to the Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy must do so within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Certificate examinations.

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (NFQ Level 9, Major award)
Students successfully completing 60 credits (taught modules) may opt not to proceed to the Research Project and Dissertation (PF6008) and may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. A student who subsequently applies to continue to the Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy must do so within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Diploma examinations.

Masters in Clinical Pharmacy (NFQ Level 9, Major award)

Upon completion of the taught modules (60 credits) students will undertake PF6008 Research Project and Dissertation in Clinical Pharmacy (30 credits).

Individual Modules - CPD
As part of UCC's commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), healthcare professionals may take a one-off module from the list available in this course and be provided with a relevant transcript of marks.

Fact File

Course Code: CKX03 Part-time

Course Title: Pharmacy - Clinical Pharmacy Online Course

College: Medicine and Health

Duration: 2 years Part-time

Course Delivery Method*: Online

Teaching Mode: Part-Time, Distance Learning

This programme will be taught online.

Qualifications: MSc

NFQ Level: Level 9

Costs: 2017/2018 Irish/EU EUR 3,850 per year

2017 Entry Requirements: Primary degree (NQF level 8) in pharmacy from an approved school of pharmacy. See also Detailed Entry Requirements

Closing Date: 30th June 2017

Next Intake: September 2017

Course Practicalities

Delivered entirely by distance learning. Apart from the final year exams, students are not required to attend the university.

The taught modules incorporate a combination of printed module workbooks, teleconferences, web-based seminars and online assessments. Students communicate with the module co-ordinators and each other through regular teleconferences and via the Internet (using Blackboard, UCC's learning management system).

Course materials are circulated under a strict timetable and all module assignments must be returned within set deadlines.

Average 10 to 15 hours a week on teleconference/webinar preparation and participation, general reading, case studies, assignments and examination study and half a day each week on clinical placement.

Assessment

This course is assessed using a mixture of continuous assessment (assignments, exercises, multiple choice question exams and clinical case presentations) and written exams.

Continuous assessment work is submitted regularly and discussed at compulsory teleconferences.

Written examinations take place in UCC at the end ofboth years. For some modules, there is a clinical case presentation along with the exam at the end of the academic year.

Students in year 2 of the course will complete their research project

Application Procedure

Application for this programme is on-line at http://www.pac.ie/ucc.For full details of the application procedure click here.

Please be advised that all applications will be reviewed after the closing date of the 30th June 2017 has passed regardless of the initial date of application.

Please also note that you will be asked to fill in a supplementary information form as part of the applications process for this programme. This form is available to view from hereSupplementaryFormCKX03 (118kB)

All required documentation must either uploaded to your online application or sent in hard copy to ; The Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1, Courthouse Square, Galway.

Further Contact Information

Dr. Teresa M. Barbosa

Course Coordinator MSc in Clinical Pharmacy

School of Pharmacy
Cavanagh Pharmacy Building
University College Cork
Ireland
Tel: +353-(0)21-4901792
Fax: + 353-(0)21-4901656
Email:t.barbosa@ucc.ie

Dr. Laura Sahm

Course Director
T: +353-(0)21-4901688
E: L.Sahm@ucc.ie

Dr. Suzanne McCarthy

Course Director
T: +353 (0)21 490 1714
E:S.McCarthy@ucc.ie

Notes about fees for this course

Costs: 2017/2018 Irish/EU EUR 3,850 per year

2017 Entry Requirements: Primary degree (NQF level 8) in pharmacy from an approved school of pharmacy. See also Detailed Entry Requirements

Closing Date: 30th June 2017

Next Intake: September 2017

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

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