Neuropharmacology

Course Overview
Attempting to find new drug treatments central nervous system (CNS) diseases is a major global priority. This requires a collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and academic institutions. It involves:

1. The identification of drug targets in the CNS disease state of interest
2. Discovery and preclinical profiling of substances acting on this drug target
3. The clinical evaluation for efficacy and safety.

The Discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics has been actively engaged in neuropharmacological research for over 30 years. In 1998, the MSc in Neuropharmacology was introduced to provide students with the skills necessary to develop a career in important area of research.

The programme is divided into three trimesters trimesters (each of 30 ECTS) in the following manner:

Trimester 1
Neuroscience: 5 ECTS
Central Neurotransmission: 5 ECTS
Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology: 5 ECTS
Applied Concepts in Pharmacology: 5 ECTS
Experimental Methods in Pharmacology: 10 ECTS

Trimester 2
Experimental Neuropharmacology: 15 ECTS
Current Topics in Neuropharmacology: 10 ECTS
Neuropharmacology & Therapeutics: 5 ECTS

Trimester 3
Neuropharmacology Research Project: 30 ECTS

Year 1 (90 Credits)
Required PM208: Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology
Required PM209: Applied Concepts in Pharmacology
Required SI209: Neurophysiology
Required PM5101: Central Neurotransmission
Required PM5102: Experimental Methods in Pharmacology
Required PM5103: Experimental Neuropharmacology
Required PM5104: Current Topics in Neuropharmacology
Required PM5105: Neuropharmacology & Therapeutics
Optional PM517: Pharmacology Thesis
Optional SI503: Physiology Thesis
Optional BI503: Biochemistry Thesis
Optional AN508: Anatomy Thesis
Optional SY502: Psychiatry Thesis
Optional PM311: Introduction to Toxicology
Optional BI5107: Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
Optional PM5114: Screening Molecular Libraries

Successful students will normally hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 degree from any of a range of undergraduate disciplines, from Chemistry to Life Science subjects to Psychology. Students are also considered who have a Level 7 degree and three years’ relevant work experience. IELTS score of 6.5 (with not less than 5.5 in any one component).

How to apply
We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.

Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.

Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").

1 year full-time.

Next start date: September 2024.

Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specifed closing date*. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.

Career Opportunities
The majority of graduates of the programme have entered the workforce either in technical or research roles within hospitals, universities or companies, mostly in Ireland. Approximately one-third have embarked on PhD research following graduation.