1. To understand and apply the fundamental mathematical, chemical, physicochemical, biological and pharmacological principles on which the pharmaceutical sciences are based.

2. To understand the applications of this scientific knowledge in the study of the chemical, physicochemical, biological, pharmacological, clinical and professional disciplines within the pharmaceutical sciences.

3. To understand the principles of medicinal chemistry and drug design on which reactivity, analysis, modes of action and drug discovery are based.

4. To understand the applications of molecular biology, microbiology and immunology to genetic and biochemical processes and to the preparation and supply of sterile medicines (asepsis) and the control of sterility within pharmaceutical products.

5. To understand and apply the principles governing the design, performance and quality assurance of pharmaceutical formulations of small molecules and biotechnology-based entities, the optimization of drug delivery through biopharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic and delivery route considerations and the processes by which medicines are developed, manufactured and brought to the market place.

6. To understand the pathophysiology of major disease states; to have a thorough understanding of the pharmacology of the major groups of drugs use in these conditions; to be able to explain the mechanism of action of these drugs; to understand the choice of medications available for treatment and to be able to advise on their selection taking into account the evidence of clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetic, pharmacoeconomics, side-effects and possible interactions.

7. To understand the applications of research methodologies in the design, planning and execution of projects, and the collation, interpretation and communication of data and conclusions, relevant to natural, clinical or socials sciences.

8. To develop a range of transferable skills, including competence with information technology (IT) and experimental systems, for data analysis, presentation and literature-searching, a critical facility to collect, interpret and assess information from various sources, and the ability to communicate this to appropriate individuals or groups by oral or written means.

9. To understand and be able to supply medicines in accordance with pharmaceutical knowledge, legislation and codes of professional conduct and practice; to be able to prepare extemporaneously any medicines for which this would be regarded as the normal means of provision; to have sufficient academic knowledge to interpret and evaluate prescriptions and other orders for medicines and to be able to recognize common disease states and make appropriate responses to presented symptoms and underpin a role in advising patients and other health-care professionals on medicines and their usage.

10. To be able to work independently by taking responsibility for the management of their own study and learning in order to be able to identify learning requirements and to undertake and benefit from participation in lifelong learning to keep abreast of future developments.