534-302 Principles of Pharmacology (Practical)

Note:

1. Special requirements: Laboratory coat and dissecting instruments.

2. This subject must be taken in conjunction with 534-301. Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible.

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Corequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

By the end of the practical teaching programme in Principles of Pharmacology the student should:

Have developed:

• skills to set up and successfully carry out laboratory experiments using computer based recording equipment;

• skills to record accurately and analyse results of a variety of pharmacological experiments; quantitative and qualitative skills to carry out organ bath, receptor binding and pharmacokinetic experiments; and to have developed an appreciation of the pharmacological literature.

Appreciate:

• the fundamental importance of good laboratory practice which includes the proper treatment and handling of laboratory animals, the proper keeping and writing up of laboratory records and the importance of good experimental design and methods of data analysis in investigating mechanisms of drug action.

Content:

Mechanisms of drug action; drug-receptor interactions; characterisation of drug-receptors; molecular pharmacology; drug-receptor kinetics; drug-enzyme interactions; principles of selective toxicity; disposition of drugs in the body; drug administration, absorption and elimination; quantitative pharmacokinetics; genetically-determined variability in drug action.

Assessment: