A postgraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Science.

This leading-edge online course introduces you to the strategic, business and operational aspects of the life science industry. The course equips you to understand the challenges and conventional wisdom within this industry with a particular focus on research and innovation. You will learn techniques to develop coherent and credible alternative future scenarios including an understanding of strategic option development, portfolio management and strategic resource allocation. You will also acquire research, analytical and critical judgement skills enabling you to deal with important issues such as finance, complexity and risk.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

What you will study

This course will explore the following four topics:

• The structure of the pharmaceutical industry and introduce you to the research skills needed to study this area.
• Research evaluation, including the fundamentals of finance, scientific uncertainty, portfolio management and risk.
• The regulation of the life sciences industry.
• The application of core strategic analysis techniques.

You will learn

You will learn about the life sciences industry, strategic groups and current trends, drug pipelines and resultant competitive/collaborative nature of the industry. You will learn about the basics of finance and how to apply finance basics to decision making in the real world. You will learn about portfolio dynamics, risk and strategic decision making under uncertainty and how to evaluate/price companies on their strategic rather than just financial value. You will learn about the regulation of the life sciences industries and scenario planning. You will also develop key postgraduate research skills.

You will learn how to access online resources, how to research and interpret pharmaceutical and science/health care industry data and pertinent topics such as drug pipelines, competition, safety/regulatory issues.

Entry

To register for any of the science masters courses you must normally hold a UK honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in science or a science-related subject. If you have other study or experience that you believe equips you to study at postgraduate level you can still apply, but must supply evidence of that study or experience. Your case will be referred to our MSc in Science Admissions Panel. For further advice, contact the postgraduate science team.

You will also need good computing skills (e.g. able to search the Web, use email and use word processing packages).

All teaching is in English and your proficiency in the English language should be adequate for the level of study you wish to take. We strongly recommend that students have achieved an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies you can visit the IELTS website.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Qualifications

S811 is an optional module in our:

• MSc in Professional Science (F60)
• MSc in Science (F12)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

This course is delivered wholly online; consequently time spent using a computer and the internet will be extensive. It includes extensive use of electronic library resources and the use of real-time online discussions and an interactive whiteboard space. If you use assistive technology or have a hearing or speech impairment and have concerns about accessing this type of virtual environment and materials you can visit the system provider's website for information and contact the Open University to discuss it further before registering.

Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

Study materials

What's included

Website, online study guides, online tutor support, online forums and access to the literature through the Open University Library.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Electronic communication will be used extensively. All study activities will be completed online.

Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

S811 is an online course within which you will work in groups using a variety of communication methods, including scheduled online forums. Some of this group work is linked to assessment.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Signals and perception: the science of the senses (SD329)

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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