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To introduce the major concepts underpinning pharmacology. To describe the main molecular mechanisms of action of some important classes of drugs acting on the cardiorespiratory system and relate these mechanisms to their cellular, tissue, organ and whole animal effects.

Anti Requisite for Molecules to Man year 1 course (BIOL11822, BIOL10822 and BIOL11821

To introduce the major concepts underpinning pharmacology. To describe the main molecular mechanisms of action of some important classes of drugs acting on the cardiorespiratory system and relate these mechanisms to their cellular, tissue, organ and whole animal effects.

To understand: the molecular targets for drugs and examples of drugs acting at several target types; the basic concepts of drug receptor interactions; the importance of drug structure in their ability to interact with their targets; the mechanisms of the major drug classes used to treat hypertension, angina, cardiac failure, cardiac dysrhythmias and asthma.

Introduction to pharmacology: History and scope of pharmacology. How drugs are discovered.

Introduction to drug targets: Structure, function and cellular location of ligand-gated channels, voltage gated channels, enzymes, nuclear hormone receptors, transporters and pumps, G-protein coupled receptors.

Nature of drug receptor interactions: Agonists, antagonists and partial agonists, efficacy, drug structures, pharmacophores and selectivity. Concentration-response relationships. Gaddum equation.

Drugs acting on the cardiovascular/respiratory systems: Antihypertensive drugs, antidysrhythmic drugs, drugs used to treat angina, acute coronary syndromes and cardiac failure, lipid lowering drugs, drug used to treat and prevent thrombosis, stroke and “brain killers”, drugs used to treat asthma.

Special topics in pharmacology:  Students will study at least two “STIPs” from the following choices: cholinergic toxins; drug discovery and development; pharmacokinetics; biologic drugs.

Core taught material:         33 hours

Students will be expected to complete 1 eLearning module per week, containing approximately 1 hour of pre-recorded video content or equivalent, and a short, online MCQ quiz (not timed but approximately 20 minutes in length).

Each week there will also be 1 hour of live-lecture content that builds on the eLearning module and a 1 hour face-to-face active learning session.  

 

STIP eLearning modules        4 hours

Students will need to complete at least two special topics eLearning modules, which will each contain approximately two hours of pre-recorded video content or equivalent. The STIP modules will be assessed by online multiple choice questions at the end of the semester. If students choose to study more than two STIP modules, their two best marks will contribute to their overall unit mark. STIP topics are not included in the unit examination.

 

Independent study hours        63 hours

Independent study includes optional, formative activities within the eLearning modules. 

 

70% awarded for a one hour examination, which will consist of 50 MCQs in the semester 2 examination period

15% for completion of active learning tasks

10% for completion of eLearning module tests

5% awarded for online MCQ tests based on the STIP modules 

Formative feedback will be provided via automated eLearning module responses; post-examination guidance (if requested).

Ritter et al., Rang & Dale's Pharmacology (10th Edition) 2024 Elsevier Available as an eBook via JRUL website.  
 

The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.