534-303 Analytical Pharmacology

Note

Experiments involving animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible. Credit cannot be obtained for 534-303 and 534-310 prior to 1998.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Pharmacology 534-301, exemption may be considered in special cases at the discretion of the Head of Department.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The teaching program will provide the student with detailed knowledge of the principles of drug action at receptors from the basis of the molecular, receptor binding; in vitro functional, electrophysiological, cell biology and in vivo functional pharmacological approaches. The practical course will develop skills to successfully design and carry out laboratory experiments to study the properties of drug receptors using organ bath and receptor binding techniques. Through this process it is envisaged that the students will come to appreciate the importance of the development of good laboratory and theoretical skills in order to design and execute experiments that allow valid conclusions to be reached about the mechanism of action of drugs at receptors.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination covering material presented in lectures and practicals; continuous assessment of laboratory records. An oral examination may also be held for students who do not pass the written examination.