Overview

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy is a part-time distance education programme running over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

The programme is made up of two parts. Part I constitutes 60 credits of taught modules. Part II constitutes 30 credits of a research project.

In Part I students must take a minimum of 30 credits in the first academic year. Students cannot proceed to Year 2 of the programme unless Year 1 has been passed. The taught modules will incorporate a combination of self-instructional printed materials (i.e. printed module workbooks), teleconferences, web-based seminars and online assessments.

Students on the one year programme should refer to the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (1 year pathway) page for programme information.

Individual Modules

As part of UCC's commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), healthcare professionals may take a one-off module and be provided with a relevant transcript of marks. A student who successfully completes and passes a module under CPD and who satisfies the programme eligibility criteria may be eligible for exemptions if he/she subsequently undertakes a Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy within five years from the date of successful completion of the module (and subject to the module being offered on the Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Clinical Pharmacy programmes).

Exit award: 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, 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.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Students successfully completing 60 credits (taught modules) may opt not to proceed to the 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.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Pathway I (two year programme)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
PF6001	Biostatistics/Critical Appraisal	5
PF6005	Pharmacoeconomics	5
PF6006	Pharmacotherapy II: Endocrinology, CNS, Musculoskeletal and Infectious Disease	15
PF6007	Pharmacotherapy III: Special Populations	10
PF6009	Pharmacotherapy I: Renal, CVS, Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Diseases	15
PF6010	Drugs and Therapeutics: Safety, Efficacy and Rational Use	10
Part II
Students take 30 credits as follows:
Core Modules
PF6008	Research Dissertation in Clinical Pharmacy	30
Total Credits		90

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc (Clinical Pharmacy) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Discuss and explain the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, and tests leading to the diagnosis of common disorders/diseases of the various physiological systems;
  
• Choose the appropriate and effective therapy for selected diseases of the various physiological systems;
  
• Monitor and counsel the patient on the use of the recommended therapies and health promotion;
  
• Formulate pharmaceutical care plans and counsel patients and use and recommend a "green" prescription appropriately;
  
• Apply the principles of health economics, economic modelling, Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY';s) sensitivity analysis for use in the health care system;
  
• Outline the regulatory requirements for supply and use of medicines in order to be able to practice effectively within their constraints;
  
• Discuss common dosage form systems and the differences that these may have on the management of a chronic or acute disease state;
  
• Critically appraise a research paper and use checklists to successfully interpret published clinical findings and apply the findings to improve professional practice;
  
• Conduct a literature review, design a research protocol, collect and interpret data and write a research report.