Medical Pharmacology 3

Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

School:

School of Applied Sciences

Credit Rating:

Level (including FHEQ):

H (FHEQ Level 6)

Graded or Non Graded:

Graded

Version Valid From:

2020-09-01

Module Leader:

Roger Phillips

Version Number

2023.02

Learning Methods

Guided Independent Study

Seminar

Supervised Time in Studio/Workshop

Lecture

Shared Teaching

Synopsis

The aim of this module is to extend the knowledge of use of drugs from years 1 and 2 to the management of disorders of the CNS and Cancer, pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions. CNS topics will include depression, psychosis and anxiety, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. Other topics will … For more content click the Read More button below. Pharmacology of drugs in cancer treatment will be covered. This includes (i) established cytotoxic drugs, their mechanisms of action, achievements and limitations (particularly drug resistance and toxicity) (ii) a brief overview of cancer biology in the context of highlighting how knowledge of the biological ‘hallmarks of cancer’ are driving drug discovery programs and (iii) an overview of the modern targeted anti-cancer drugs and the challenges of genome instability and tumour cell heterogeneity and how these drive the development of resistance in cancers. The final lectures will focus on three common cancers where all the elements covered in the previous lectures will be applied to each cancer type – these will cover issues such as incidence and mortality, the known causes of each cancer type and risk factors, tumour types and staging of disease and treatment of the disease (using cytotoxic and targeted drugs). The underlying principle being that the ‘War on Cancer’ is not just about treatment with drugs but it also includes prevention and early detection strategies. Further lectures on applied pharmacokinetics will complement the kinetic lectures covered in year 1 and 2. This is in addition to additional lectures on drug-drug interaction and pharmacogenomics.

The aim of this module is to extend the knowledge of use of drugs from years 1 and 2 to the management of disorders of the CNS and Cancer, pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions.

CNS topics will include depression, psychosis and anxiety, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. Other topics will include pain and the use of opioid analgesics, CNS stimulants, psychotomimetics and the physiological basis of drug dependence and drug abuse. The mechanisms of general and local anaesthesia with reference to the CNS and the peripheral nervous system will be covered.

Pharmacology of drugs in cancer treatment will be covered. This includes (i) established cytotoxic drugs, their mechanisms of action, achievements and limitations (particularly drug resistance and toxicity) (ii) a brief overview of cancer biology in the context of highlighting how knowledge of the biological ‘hallmarks of cancer’ are driving drug discovery programs and (iii) an overview of the modern targeted anti-cancer drugs and the challenges of genome instability and tumour cell heterogeneity and how these drive the development of resistance in cancers. The final lectures will focus on three common cancers where all the elements covered in the previous lectures will be applied to each cancer type – these will cover issues such as incidence and mortality, the known causes of each cancer type and risk factors, tumour types and staging of disease and treatment of the disease (using cytotoxic and targeted drugs). The underlying principle being that the ‘War on Cancer’ is not just about treatment with drugs but it also includes prevention and early detection strategies.

Further lectures on applied pharmacokinetics will complement the kinetic lectures covered in year 1 and 2. This is in addition to additional lectures on drug-drug interaction and pharmacogenomics.

Learning Strategy

The lectures, tutorials and workshops will be used to deliver the majority of the material, although there will be more emphasis on independent learning through collaborative group activities, peer assessment, structured problem-solving tasks and the development of reporting skills. There will be frequent reference to and discussion of current scientific … For more content click the Read More button below.

The lectures, tutorials and workshops will be used to deliver the majority of the material, although there will be more emphasis on independent learning through collaborative group activities, peer assessment, structured problem-solving tasks and the development of reporting skills. There will be frequent reference to and discussion of current scientific and clinical research to encourage the development of critical and analytic skills, thus developing information retrieval skills to access the library resources available.

Outline Syllabus

Chemical signalLing in the CNS including drug targets and the chemical transmission.Neurodegenerative disorders, e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseaseAnxiety, depression and schizophrenia, and their treatmentInsomnia and its treatmentCNS stimulants and drugs of abuseDrug and substance misuse, and physiological and psychological dependenceThe physiology of pain and the use of opioid analgesicsGeneral anaesthesia … For more content click the Read More button below.

Chemical signalLing in the CNS including drug targets and the chemical transmission.
Neurodegenerative disorders, e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Anxiety, depression and schizophrenia, and their treatment
Insomnia and its treatment
CNS stimulants and drugs of abuse
Drug and substance misuse, and physiological and psychological dependence
The physiology of pain and the use of opioid analgesics
General anaesthesia and local anaesthesia
Cytotoxic anti-cancer drugs
Toxicity and resistance mechanisms (cytotoxic drugs)
Cancer Biology – the ‘hallmarks of cancer’
Targeted anti-cancer therapeutics
Resistance mechanisms and the issue of genome instability and cellular heterogeneity
Drug-drug interactions
Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacokinetics
Cases studies covering three common cancers
Dry practical on drug discovery and the development of new anti-cancer drugs
Simulated practical investigations on drug use to treat CNS.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will

be able to discuss the pharmacological basis of drug action using examples of specific neurological/psychological disorders and cancer therapy.

be able to discuss the physiological aspects of pain sensation and the pharmacology of the opioid drugs.

be able to analyze the factors that contribute towards drug dependence and drug abuse.

be able to discuss and critically evaluate the effectiveness of drugs used in cancer therapy.

understand the PK of drugs following two-compartmental and Michaelis Menten kinetics.

be able to apply their knowledge of the principles of drug action to investigate pharmacological phenomena by means of simulated procedures/case studies, workshop and/or presentations.

be able to contribute to the education, training and development of other members of their team, including peer review and assessment through coaching and feedback.

Formative Assessment

Assessment 1: Other

Summative Assessment

Assessment 1: Written Assignment

Description:Practical write up (15% of marks): The assessed coursework will include short answers to specific questions related to experimental design, data presentation, interpretation and critical analysis of the data and its interpretation. A word limit of 2500 applies.

Assessment Weight:15

Assessment Length:2500 Words (Word Count)

Module Learning Outcomes:MLO1, MLO4, MLO6

Individual or Group:Individual

Final Assessment Component:No

Marked Anonymously:No

Eligible for Tutor Reassessment:No

Assessment 2: Presentation

Description:Presentations (15% or marks): Students will work in small groups and prepare a presentation that will be of 10 min duration. The subject of each presentation will focus on current treatment options and drug development in CNS topics (such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers etc). After the presentation, there will be and additional 5 mins for questions.

Assessment Weight:15

Assessment Length:10 Mins (Duration)

Module Learning Outcomes:MLO1, MLO6, MLO7

Individual or Group:Group

Final Assessment Component:No

Marked Anonymously:No

Eligible for Tutor Reassessment:No

Assessment 3: Exam

Assessment Criteria

Students will be required to demonstrate that the learning outcomes have been met by: An exam that is worth 70% of the module mark that will assess the student’s knowledge and critical understanding of module material.Coursework worth 30% of the module marks, comprising of presentations and data analysis will assess … For more content click the Read More button below. The module handbook will provide additional guidance for students on the specific assessment criteria and marking schedules applied to individual pieces of work.

Students will be required to demonstrate that the learning outcomes have been met by:

An exam that is worth 70% of the module mark that will assess the student’s knowledge and critical understanding of module material.
Coursework worth 30% of the module marks, comprising of presentations and data analysis will assess the student’s ability to apply their knowledge.

The module handbook will provide additional guidance for students on the specific assessment criteria and marking schedules applied to individual pieces of work.

Course and Module Catalogue