Module overview
The aim of this module is to understand applied pharmacology in light of the basic principles studied in BIOL2048. The course is structured to provide knowledge for the key areas in which drug actions are applied to treat disease.
Lectures will be accompanied by practical, with alternatives in place if required to meet minimum learning outcomes.
Linked modules
BIOL2048 AND BIOL1024 AND BIOL1025 AND (BIOL1026 or BIOL1028)
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Outline the main methods by which drugs have been developed, designed and brought to market. Describe these outlined principles by utilizing some specific examples.
- Explain the mechanism of action of several classes of antibiotics to outline how pharmacology can be applied to treatment of bacterial infection
- Collect primary data for analysis and discussion, using specialized knowledge to make evidence-based decisions in the treatment decisions.
- Name important classes of cardiotropic and diuretic drugs and explain how they control cardiovascular function and are applied in the treatment of heart and circulatory disease.
- Describe the biological basis for the production of prostaglandins. Explain how distinct classes of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can be applied to mitigate fever, inflammation and pain.
- Outline the concepts that explain underpinnings of pain. Describe two major classes of analgesics and how their pharmacology is applied for the mitigation of pain.
- Define the difference between analgesia and anaesthesia. Name the distinct classes of local and general anaesthic drugs. Outline the important chemical and pharmacological principles that define how local and general anaesthics are applied biomedically
- Outline important peptide and steroid hormone systems and how their selective manipulation by pharmacology are applied for clinical benefit including contraception and exemplar metabolic disorders.
- Define how drugs interact at both the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic levels
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Interrogation of the literature to identify bona fide sources and extraction of relevant information. Evaluate and analyse situations to develop effective solutions for different case scenarios.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Evaluate differences between therapeutic agents and their effectiveness in modulating biological processes to inform evidence-based treatment decisions for various conditions.
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe utilizing drug classes discussed across the course how drugs interact at both the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic levels. Outline how these principles inform on the wiser use of drug combinations.
Syllabus
Exemplars of drug classes that underpin understanding the pharmacology of current therapies including Antimicrobials, and drugs used in the treatment of Renal, Endocrine and Cardiovascular systems. The study involves the pharmacology of pain, Anaesthetics, and Drug interactions in addition to Drug development.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, lab-based practical classes, and independent study. This independent study includes a wider reading and understanding of various case scenarios in applied pharmacology.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 60 |
Practical | 10 |
Completion of assessment task | 20 |
Wider reading or practice | 40 |
Lecture | 20 |
Revision | 35 |
Total study time | 185 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Ritter/Flower/Hemderson/Loke/MacEwan/Rang (2019). Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. Elsevier Press.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Class Exercise
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Class Exercise
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Literature and data search
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Laboratory Assignment
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Class practicals
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assessment | 70% |
Coursework | 30% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External