Pharmacology BSc Welcome Pack
Welcome to Pharmacology BSc – September 2026.
I am delighted to welcome you to the University of Northampton and to the study of Pharmacology. This is an exciting time to join us. Pharmacology is a fascinating and rapidly evolving field that connects biology, chemistry, physiology, and clinical science to improve patient care and human health. This course will challenge you academically while helping you develop practical, analytical, and professional skills that are highly valued in healthcare, research, and industry. The course offers you the opportunity to explore your interests in how drugs affect the body and how the body deals with drugs. By the end of your degree you will be a master of drugs and medicines. In your first week with us you will meet your personal tutor and get to know others on your course, as well as exploring our Waterside Campus and all the opportunities University life has to offer. You will begin your studies with a thorough grounding in the foundations of chemistry and the key elements of biochemistry, physiology, genetics, microbiology and immunology.
You will be taught alongside students from other Life Sciences degrees such as Biochemistry, Biomedical Science and Biological Sciences and will have approximately 12 hours of timetabled teaching per week. This will be a combination of tutorials, workshops, lectures, practical classes and online teaching sessions, which are designed to give you the most appropriate learning experience and include plenty of hands-on activities to enhance your understanding.
We also support you to develop skills for your future after university, such as analysing and interpreting complex data, scientific and critical writing, critical thinking and presenting/reporting information to specialist and non-specialist audiences to enhance your communication skills.
You will be supported in your studies by a team of expert scientists, who are engaged in cutting-edge research within their field.
I am really looking forward to working with you, see you in September!
Your Course Leader
Dr Amit Nathubhai
Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology
Amit.nathubhai@northampton.ac.uk
As Course Leader for Pharmacology, I am here to support you throughout your academic journey, including course-related guidance, academic progression, and signposting to university support services. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the programme, module choices, assessments, or your overall student experience.
Additional staff
- Dr Alexandra Woodacre, Head of School of Life Sciences
- Dr Jodie Score, Deputy Head of School of Life Sciences
Preparing for your course
We will be holding a number of sessions during Welcome Week. These sessions will explain a lot more about the course and allow you to meet your fellow classmates.
Monday 21 September
Session: General Welcome session for all courses on Life Sciences
- Time: 10am – 12pm (BST)
- Location: to be confirmed
Wednesday 23 September
Session: Welcome to Pharmacology – everything you need to know to get started and meet each other for first years (level 4) only
- Time: 10am onwards (BST)
- Location: LH125, First Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Wednesday 23 September
Session: Library Quest – everything you need to know about using the library (level 4) only
- Time: 2.15 – 3.15pm (BST)
- Location: Drop-In-Area, 2nd floor of the Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Thursday 24 September
Session: Welcome Back for 2nd (level 5) and 3rd years (level 6) Pharmacology students only. Everything you need to know about settling back into University life, updates on the course and how we can support you in your 2nd and 3rd year of study.
- Time: 10am (BST) onwards
- Location: LH113, First Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Friday 25 September
Session: Life Sciences social event. For all students studying Life Sciences courses. Come and join us so you can meet all students from all levels of study and staff who will be teaching you throughout your course. Expect some fun games that will be led by the Life Sciences course student representatives. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided.
- Time: 12 – 4pm (BST)
- Location: LH013 and LH014, Ground Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Equipment
Each student will be provided with a safety induction and laboratory kit including lab coat, safety glasses and lab notebook to make sure you will be ready for your lab sessions. Outside of timetabled sessions you can make use of our extensive library, virtual learning environment and online resources to prepare for learning and assessments.
