Unit name | Pharmacology 1A |
---|---|
Unit code | PHPH10003 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Steve Fitzjohn |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
'A' Level Chemistry recommended |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit provides students with a broad introduction to pharmacology. The unit includes an introduction to the physiology of the different cell types in the body and how drugs modulate their function. The nature of receptors as drug targets and the fundamental principles of drug-receptor theory are discussed. How drugs get into, get around, and get out of the body is also covered, along with the general principles of drug toxicology. Practical work is designed to introduce students to important pharmacological techniques, the handling of experimental data and to reinforce the theoretical material.
The aims are to provide students with knowledge and understanding of aspects of how drugs produce effects on biological systems, how they are processed by the body, how toxic effects are produced and how drugs are designed.
Specifically:
Outcomes:
It is not necessary to buy these books as multiple copies are available from the Lifezone. However Pharmacology Honours students may wish to buy a copy of “Rang and Dale's Pharmacology" to use throughout their degree course (a new 9th edition of this textbook is now out but the older editions are still fine to use; note that Professor Graeme Henderson from this School co-authored the latest edition). A handout is provided for most lectures but it is a good idea to consult a textbook to supplement your lectures notes and to clear up any problems you have with the lecture material. The three textbooks listed below are particularly relevant to the first year unit: