Studying Pharmacy ?

How hard has anyone studying pharmacy found it compared to a normal science BSc? I am apprehensive about starting and have transferred from a BSc to second year. Thanks in advance

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Reply 1

½+½

Just take it task by task, year by year.
If you look at it as the bigger picture (eg. the whole degree) it can seem overwhelming, but just focus on the tasks immediately in front of you, and get them done. There's nothing more satisfying than looking back on the year and realising just how much you've achieved... but when you're on the other side of it, it can seem pretty daunting.
Use your time wisely and you'll be fine.

Reply 2

cbooth5

Ah okay, yes I have been looking ahead e.g. year 3/4 modules and projects but I will focus only a few weeks at a time and on this year and work hard thanks : ). One last thing, how much harder would you say it is compared to a normal undergrad science course? And how many hours a week of independent study would you say you need in term-time while lectures are happening? Last year for exams I sacrificed a month, studied everyday and got good results.Thanks so much

Reply 3

KittyRe-play

What does pharmacy consist of and is it boring? What do you do in the job that you get in future? Just want to know, in case I apply for it...and would you recommend it? Thanks :smile:

Reply 4

cbooth5

Original post by KittyRe-play

What does pharmacy consist of and is it boring? What do you do in the job that you get in future? Just want to know, in case I apply for it...and would you recommend it? Thanks :smile:

I can't really say yet but studying pharmacy at my uni consists of medicinal chemistry classes, microbiology, pharmaceutical science, therapeutics (how drugs work on the body and what effects they have). You can be a community, hospital or industrial pharmacist mainly but also other one off jobs like running clinical trials, scientific journalist etc. however the job market is becoming more populated nowadays.

Reply 5

½+½

Original post by cbooth5

The MPharm is my first degree, so I can't compare it to another, but there are plenty of people doing it as a second degree and maybe one of them can answer that question for you. I'm not sure how helpful an answer would be though, as it's fairly subjective to the individuals, their skill levels, and their previous degree. Just embrace the MPharm and do your best.

Independent study time - again that's subjective to individuals. Everybody is different, everybody has their strengths and weaknesses.
I don't find lectures the most effective way for me to learn (for the time they use up) so I've attended very few over years two and three. I've just used the powerpoints, and used the time I'd waste commuting and listening to lecturers read the slides to read around the subject myself, and I've got a couple of percent off a first in all three years so far. I come from a background of the Open University and it works for me, but I'm not recommending anyone else to do that... you just need to find what works for you and take responsibility for the decisions you make about the use of your time.

If you go to all lectures and make notes, you might be alright with cramming for 4-6 weeks before summer exams, providing you listened in the lectures. If you don't attend, or attend and don't make an effort to take it in, you will need to make more time to catch up. Best advice I can give is try to hit the ground running and try to get ahead... don't leave things until the last minute.

Reply 6

username1456920

Original post by cbooth5

I'm starting second year in a week or two. I think like any course it is very important to be on top of things, organisation is key. A few hours after lectures in the day will suffice, to just recap the days lectures/tutorials and workshops. It also helps to go over and revise everything every 6 weeks or so, so you're not pressured too much when it comes to exams. Consistent work over a few weeks is always better than last minute cramming.

For first year I studied a month before my exams and did well, but I was very stressed out, diet and sleep were a mess, just spent the month studying in my room. Definitely not ideal.

Reply 7

study_smart786

hello,
i am about begin my MPharm degree soon and was wondering how I could prepare for it..? would you recommend any books or other key prep? I dont really know what to expect and have a lot of time on my hands. Any advice?

Reply 8

cbooth5

Ah thanks guys top replies ! Think I'll try pace myself and work hard consistently from week 1. I managed to get a therapeutics book off of someone who grad and pharmacology but no idea whats ideal

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 9

thegodofgod

Original post by cbooth5

Ah thanks guys top replies ! Think I'll try pace myself and work hard consistently from week 1. I managed to get a therapeutics book off of someone who grad and pharmacology but no idea whats ideal

If you've got time on your hands, it might be good to familiarise yourself with the BNF. You might be able to get an old copy for free from your local pharmacist.

Reply 10

cbooth5

Original post by thegodofgod

If you've got time on your hands, it might be good to familiarise yourself with the BNF. You might be able to get an old copy for free from your local pharmacist.

Yes, we were told for a lecture coming we need one so thanks a bunch! Ill try a few pharmacies

Reply 11

thegodofgod

Original post by cbooth5

Yes, we were told for a lecture coming we need one so thanks a bunch! Ill try a few pharmacies

No worries!

It might be a good idea to try independent community pharmacies first - they're more likely to hand out free BNFs :wink:

So which uni are you off to?

Reply 12

cbooth5

Ah ok sweet thanks ! Ill try tomorrow and Liverpool John Moores how about you ? And which year are you in right now : )

Reply 13

thegodofgod

Original post by cbooth5

Ah ok sweet thanks ! Ill try tomorrow and Liverpool John Moores how about you ? And which year are you in right now : )

Sweet, I'm at Brighton - about to go into my 2nd year now.

Reply 14

cbooth5

Nice I've heard Brighton is good, I just hope second year isn't too much harder !

Reply 15

arch0wnz

I just wanted to know, what is the difference between Pharmacy and Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Medicine?

I've been thinking about doing Pharmacology but I'm just having trouble understanding the differences between the 3 and how I can arrange the appropriate work experience + what work experience would involve exactly?

Reply 16

thegodofgod

Original post by cbooth5

Nice I've heard Brighton is good, I just hope second year isn't too much harder !

Yeah, Brighton's a nice place, especially when it comes to socialising / going out :wink:

2nd year is thought to be quite a difficult year with the new course style, our cases this year are: asthma; infections; peptic ulcer disease; chlamydia infection; hypertension; women's health; type 2 diabetes mellitus; ischaemic heart disease; renal failure; neurodegeneration. So it's going to be quite hectic haha!

Reply 17

cbooth5

That's great then ! And I have heard yes :/ apparently 3rd is the worst year. That is a lot, its basically medicine !
I just looked at all my modules and put them together in one big timetable and I am stressed to say the least