The University of Sheffield
Department of Biomedical Science

Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology

Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and the use of animal models to study human disease are at the forefront of biomedical sciences. It has relevance to the basic sciences, medical research and practice as well as to industrial and commercial enterprises across the world.

This MSc programme capitalises on the considerable expertise in this area at the University of Sheffield.

There is a great demand for scientists trained in the knowledge base and skills that form the basis of this degree programme with openings in both the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Course Details

Entry Criteria: First class Honours Degree in a Biomedical subject.

Course date: October

Course Content

This course provides students with  state-of-the-art training in in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches in laboratory animal physiology and pharmacology. Students have the opportunity to take the Home Office accredited course necessary to obtain a personal licence. Training is also provided in the preparation of a Home Office project licence application, which includes the ethical framework that underpins animal research in the UK and many countries around the world. Hands-on experience in research methods and a range of transferable skills will be gained during research work carried out in one of our internationally recognised physiology and pharmacological laboratory. These multi-disciplinary training and experiences will give students a strong lead and prepare them for a career in academia or industry.

Course Structure

The course comprises four main elements:

  • core research project and literature review (90 credits)
  • core critical analysis and ethics and public awareness of science modules (30 credits)
  • choice of 2 lecture-based modules (30 credits)
  • choice of two laboratory practical-based modules (30 credits)

The literature review and research project would comprise half of the available marks and could be chosen from any of the projects offered from contributing departments including Biomedical Science, Dentistry, Medicine and Psychology.

Career opportunities

A UK Home Office personal licence is a pre-requisite for any student planning a PhD involving in vivo studies or planning to carry out in vivo work within the industry. Thus, students will be well placed to make a rapid transition into postgraduate research or employment. The integrated approach to physiology and pharmacology will give students an understanding of how such research contributes to new and safer drugs.

Choice of Modules

Core elements

Choice of two practical modules (15 credits)

Choice of two lecture modules (15 credits)

Description of Modules

Literature Review

This unit involves an in-depth survey of the current literature relevant to the student’s laboratory research project. It runs before the practical laboratory commences in order to give the student the academic background necessary to complete the laboratory work successfully. Students will carry out an exhaustive search of material relevant to their project using the resources of the University, including appropriate databases and specialist search engines, as well as paper-based resources in the University Library. The unit involves primarily private study by the student under the direction of the project supervisor who will meet the student at regular intervals to ensure satisfactory progress.

Laboratory Research Project

The unit aims to provide students with experience of laboratory research and develop their practical and organisational skills required for a career in science. Students undertake a project related to their area of specialization which reflects the research activities in the Department. Projects will run in the laboratories of the research groups and although students will have contact with various staff, each student will have an identified member of staff as their project supervisor. Students will gain experience of experimental design and execution and in the collation, interpretation and presentation of data. Assessment of the project will be based on; a written report, laboratory performance, delivery and defence of an oral presentation, a poster presentation and an oral examination.

Critical Analysis of Current Science

This unit is designed to develop the student’s ability to read and understand the scientific literature relating to their own research area and also enable them to integrate their own work into the wider scientific field. The unit consists of three components; a tutorial/seminar programme of up to 16 tutorial sessions designed to develop student skills in reading, understanding and criticising scientific literature; attendance at departmentally organised review lectures covering broad areas of science delivered by internationally recognised scientists; participation in all support sessions provided by the research groups in support of their research programme. Each component would be assessed separately with written reports, some undertaken under formal examination conditions.

Ethics and Public Awareness of Science

This unit introduces an outline of the legislative limitations and ethical influences on biomedical science. It will address how these are influenced by public attitudes and explore how these, in turn, are influenced by the scientific community. The unit will contain a factual and objective core, however students will be encouraged to explore, develop and express their own beliefs and value systems.

Integrative Mammalian Biology

This unit aims to provide students with the necessary information and skills for them to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence to carry out animal experimentation, including ethics, the 3 R’s, experimental design, statistics and animal handling skills. In addition the practical course will provide basic training in simple surgical techniques, anaesthesia and experimental systems for integrated mammalian biology.

Pharmacological Techniques

The unit will provide lectures on traditional receptor theory and practical classes giving experience of isolated tissue responses and data analysis, interpretation and presentation. Common techniques employed by the pharmaceutical industry will be used to generate data from isolated living tissues. In problem-solving sessions students will be shown how to enter and manipulate the data in relevant software in order to determine drug affinities, potency and intrinsic activities. Group discussions will bring together all the class data to allow conclusions to be made about the receptor populations being studied.

Molecular Physiology of Ion Channels and Human Disease

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of ion channel physiology and pathophysiology in a variety of electrically excitable cells such as muscle and the nervous system, and to give an appreciation of the methodologies used in modern ion channel research.

Epithelial Physiology in Health and Disease

To provide an understanding of the different strategies used by epithelia to effect transport of ions, water and nutrients. To explore the basis of pathophysiological states associated with failure of epithelial transport mechanisms.

Autonomic Nervous System

To present the current concepts on autonomic neuronal mechanisms regulating gastrointestinal motor function.

Membrane Receptors

  • Optional lecture module - 15 credits

This lecture-based module is designed to provide an understanding of membrane receptors for extracellular signalling molecules, including their molecular structure and transduction mechanisms, their roles in cell physiology, and their exploitation as targets for therapeutic drugs. It will focus on mammalian cells but draw evidence from vertebrate and invertebrate model systems. It will refer extensively to the medical and therapeutic significance of such studies, and will contain analyses of keynote papers in this field.