534-301 Principles of Pharmacology

Note

Special requirements: Laboratory coat and dissecting instruments. Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Pharmacology 534-201 or in some circumstances 534-202; exemption may be given at the discretion of the Head of Department. Students completing 534-202 would normally require a practical based unit in second year. Physiology 536-201 and 536-211 and Biochemistry 521-211 and 521-212 are highly recommended.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The teaching program will teach the mechanisms of drug-receptor interaction; classification of drug receptors, drug-receptor kinetics and drug-enzyme interactions; second messenger systems involved in cell signalling; molecular biology of targets for drug action; principles of selective toxicity; disposition of drugs in the body; drug administration; absorption and elimination; quantitative pharmacokinetics; genetically-determined variability in drug action. Students will also acquire skills to set up and carry out laboratory experiments using computer based recording equipment and learn to record accurately and analyse results of a variety of pharmacological experiments. In addition they will learn to 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. They will also have developed an appreciation of the pharmacological literature.

Assessment

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination; a 2000-word essay; continuous assessment throughout the practical component of the subject; practical skills tests; a 1-hour computer-based practical examination at the end of the course. An oral examination may also be held for students who do not pass the written examination.