University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Lectures: 11.00 am Mon, Tue and Wed Practicals: to be arranged.

This module assumes that students are familiar with the material covered in the second year prerequisite modules. The module introduces students to Pharmacology, which can be defined as the study of the actions of drugs. The module has a strong focus on the nervous system, which is reflected in the module name. The basic principles of pharmacology will be covered, including drug interactions with specific receptors in target tissues and pharmacokinetics. Students will gain an understanding of how drugs work and will be familiar with pharmacological concepts and terminology. Students will also consider the drug development process and the many ways in which new therapeutics are designed and developed. The effects of different classes of drugs upon the peripheral and central nervous systems and on different neurotransmitter pathways will be covered. How drugs can be used to understand the function of these systems and to alleviate their malfunctioning in various diseases and afflictions will be explained. The practical components will apply the principles of drug action and receptor theory and illustrate the use of bioassays in pharmacological investigations. Practical sessions aim to build upon student knowledge of drug applications and pharmacological principles.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass at least 2 modules from {BL2301, BL2302, BL2305, BL2306, PN2202}

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take BL3312

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Lectures and tutorials: 29 hours in total, Usually 3 lectures or tutorials (x 11 weeks) Practicals: 2 x 3 hours during the semester.

Scheduled learning hours: 35

Guided independent study hours: 165

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%


Re-assessment: 2-hour Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40% applied to failed components only

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr W Li
Module teaching staff: Team Taught
Module coordinator email wl21@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• understand how drugs work and interact with biological systems
• develop an understanding of drug design and the drug development pipeline
• develop an understanding of neurotransmitters and the effects of their pharmacological manipulation; and learn how neuropharmacology is applied in key conditions: pain, central motor disorders, schizophrenia
• deal with data sets and draw conclusions, using appropriate statistical methods where applicable
• work with pharmacological reagents in an empirical setting and record physiological output downstream of pharmacological manipulation, whilst developing practical laboratory skills
• use both primary and secondary literature to help construct coherent arguments and to express these precisely and concisely