Course summary

Our MSc Model-based Drug Development course provides the knowledge and skills in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for making evidence-based decisions at various stages of drug development. It is perfect for students who want to avoid lab work but stay in science. You will develop your mathmatical modelling skills, there are no laboratory or animal-based components. Bioinformatics and molecular modelling are also not part of the course. It covers the scientific and regulatory aspects of evaluating a drug, with emphasis on the use of mathematical modelling and simulation methods. You will learn why these methods are so highly valued by industry and regulatory authorities as effective, cost-saving, decision-making tools. Learning is reinforced via application of modelling and simulation skills to real pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. The course has been developed with an emphasis on mechanistic approaches to assessing and predicting pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PKPD), such as physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK). As this comes under the general umbrella of systems biology, you will be able to apply your knowledge of modelling and simulation in various areas of research within the pharmaceutical industry. Full-time students benefit from immersion in the varied biomedical research environment at The University of Manchester, including interaction with research staff at the renowned Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research. Alternatively, part-time students already working in the pharmaceutical industry can take advantage of the flexible, distance learning mode of the course, which allows you to fit study around other commitments.