BPS3011 · Disease-focused pharmacology

Overview

This unit will provide a solid grounding of knowledge as to how biological systems are affected in disease states, and how drugs can be designed to better treat these conditions. This unit builds on previous physiology and pharmacology units and starts from a strong understanding of pathophysiological processes, the impact of chronic disease states on homeostasis, body function and complex behaviours. Logical approaches to designing experiments using different biological research methods to identify new therapeutic targets will be studied. Target identification and validation processes will be explored using disease conditions that affect key physiological and neurological processes, such as: • cardiovascular diseases, e.g. myocardial infarct, • metabolic disorders, e.g. diabetes, and • diseases affecting neuronal signalling and central nervous system functions, e.g. Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

In-semester assessment 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the pathophysiology of the several disease states under study.
2. Describe the physiological mechanisms affected by these disorders, and how these disrupted function/s result in the observed signs and symptoms.
3. Explain how affected physiological mechanisms can be manipulated by currently used drugs; their rationale of use, advantages and disadvantages, side effects and other limitations.
4. Design experiments using various biological research methods to identify targets which may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of the disorders to be studied
5. Analyse data obtained from research to see whether a new drug is considerably more effective or safer than an established one
6. Explain the different pharmacological targets which can be exploited to rebalance a patient's physiology in the treatment of disease
7. Explain the pathophysiology for one disease state and one associated drug treatment, relating the drug target to the disease state.
8. Demonstrate the development of written and oral communication skills appropriate for third-year students.

Workload

• Twelve 1-hour online modules (discovery) • Twenty-four 1-hour interactive online modules • Twelve 2-hour workshops • Twelve 1-hour Q&A sessions • Two hours of scheduled assessment

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.