Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title DRUG ACTION
Code LIFE206
Coordinator Dr TP Green
Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology
Tpgreen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE106; LIFE207 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
LIFE313; LIFE317 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24
Timetabled lectures
          24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 126
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2 hours  Semester 2  70  Yes    Written Examination 
Seen Written Exam  1 hour  Semester 2  15  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Disclosed essay under examination conditions Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, No late submission possible because it is an exam. 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1 hour  S2  15  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  On-line test with time limit Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, No late submission. Exemption granted Notes (applying to all assessments) Written examination will be objective assessments (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions)and extended written exercises. Mid-course assessments will be extended written exercises and objective assessments (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions), performed under test conditions.  

Aims

  1. Enable students to develop their understanding of the cardiovascular, endocrine and central nervous systems and the mechanisms by which drugs interact (inhibit and/or promote) with physiological processes operating within each of these systems;

  2. Provide an understanding of the mechanisms of immune function and dysfunction, and the actions of drugs that target the immune system;

  3. Give students a grounding in the fundamental principles of signal transduction from metabotropic receptors, and their significance for drug action;
  4. Set out the overall drug development process, with a focus on the safety and efficacy tests applied during clinical trials, and the value-for-money tests appied during NICE approval;
  5. Develop knowledge and understanding in pharmacology, and ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve problems.

Learning Outcomes

Discuss the effects of drugs on the CNS and demonstrate an understanding of how drugs may be used to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders;

Describe the action of drugs in the cardiovascular system and their role in the treatment of cardiovascular disease;
Compare the effects of drugs on the kidney, the endocrine system and the gastrointestinal tract;
Describe the principles underlying the effects of drugs on the immune system and the treatment of autoimmune disease;
Explain the transduction mechanisms used by metabotropic receptors, and why understanding them is important for drug action;
Understand the regulatory framework underlying the testing and approval of drugs;

Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of pharmacology, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve problems.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Timetabled lectures

Syllabus
1 

Block 1

Signalling and the Central Nervous System
Receptors; anxiolytics; anti-psychotics; drugs to treat depression; recreational drugs and drug abuse
 
Summative Exercise 1 (block 1)

Block 2
Physiology and pharmacology of the cardiovascular system
Cardiac physiology; cardiac pharmacology; vascular pharmacology; atherosclerosis; drugs and the kidney. Includes formative exercises.
Block 3
Immune system pharmacology
Mediators of inflammation; mediators of cell-based immunity; auto-immune disease; anti-inflammatory drugs; immune-suppressant drugs; peptide and protein-based signalling. Includes formative exercises.
 
Block 4
Endocrine and gastric system pharmacology
Gastrointestinal pharmacology; peptic ulcers; inflammatory bowel disease and therapy; diabetes mellitus, mechanisms and drugs. Includes formative exercises.
 
Block 5
Signal Transduction
Signal transduction mechanisms of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their importance for dru g efficacy and selectivity.

Block 6
Drug Development
Overview of the drug development process, including clinical-trial stages and the process of regulatory approval and safety surveillance.
Summative Exercise 2 (blocks 5 & 6)

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: