Drugs: From Molecules to Man

BIOL11822 Drugs: From Molecules to Man 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 1 Richard Prince Unit coordinator School of Biological Sciences 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Drugs: from molecules to man is an introductory pharmacology unit centred on drugs acting on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.  Drugs: from molecules to man is an introductory pharmacology unit centred on drugs acting on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It also covers important areas of drug-receptor theory. The unit prepares students for second and third year pharmacology units that deal with other therapeutic areas such as neuropharmacology and cancer therapeutics. The unit aims 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. Explain to a fellow student, key concepts from the following areas: Introduction to pharmacology: What is pharmacology?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 equationDrugs 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 (STIPs):  Students will study at least two STIPs from the following choices: cholinergic toxins; drug discovery and development; pharmacokinetics; biologic drugs; history of pharmacology   The active learning sessions will require students to develop quantitative reasoning skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills. They will also need to develop their learning strategies to effectively manage the large volume of information e.g. drug names, that a pharmacology course entails Students will learn how to analyse data obtained using simulations of pharmacological laboratory techniques The requirement to complete regular assessment tasks will help students develop effective time-management skills  The course will be delivered entirely through eLearning using Articulate Rise 360 modules. There will be two eLearning modules per week, each containing approximately 1 hour of prerecorded video content. The content is also presented in a parallel text format to accommodate students who prefer this style of learning. In addition, there will be a one hour online active learning module where students will apply/consolidate the material from the didactic modules. Students will be encouraged to actively engage with the unit discussion board, to maintain a sense of learning community. 1 Written exam 70% 9 Set exercise 30% <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Assessment task</td><td>Length</td><td>How and when feedback is provided</td><td>Weighting within unit (if relevant)</td></tr><tr><td>Unit exam S2 exam period  </td><td>1 hour</td><td>Cohort level exam feedback, individual feedback available on request</td><td>70%</td></tr><tr><td>Active learning assessments (short online quizzes demonstrating completion of active learning components; online quiz demonstrating understanding of lecture material). These are pass/fail assessments.  </td><td>9 assignments, of which students must complete 7 to pass this component. 1 hour per assignment</td><td>Automated feedback when quiz deadline passes; model answers/explanations for some active learning components </td><td>20%</td></tr><tr><td>eLearning knowledge checks. Online MCQ based quizzes. These are pass/fail assessments with a pass mark of 80%. However, students may attempt the tests as many times as they wish.</td><td>9 assignments, of which students must complete 7 to pass this component. 10 minutes per assignment</td><td>Automated feedback when quiz deadline passes;</td><td>5%</td></tr><tr><td>Special topics in pharmacology. Students must study at least 2 out of the 5 special topic modules offered. They are assessed by online MCQ tests. Students can complete more than two if they wish, and their highest two marks will be used to calculate the contribution to the unit mark</td><td>5 assignments, of which students must complete 2 to pass this component. 10 minutes per assignment</td><td>Automated feedback when quiz deadline passes;</td><td>5%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Written and verbal feedback will be provided  BIOL10811 Body Systems Co-Requisite Recommended N Ritter et al. (2024) Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology. Elsevier. Assessment written exam 1 99