Module manager: Dr Aaron Drovandi
Email: A.Drovandi@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
BMSC1205 and BMSC1208
This module is approved as a discovery module
The module will include an introduction to the principles of how drugs produce beneficial effects in disease and how drug action is quantified. The lectures will provide explanations: - of how drugs such as curare produce muscle paralysis, an effect that is useful in general anaesthesia; - of how adrenaline stimulates the heart; why Botox is a biological warfare agent and a cosmetic treatment and - why beta blockers are widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- provide students with a sound understanding of the basic principles of cellular communication; that is, the concept of receptors and how their interaction with endogenous ligands and synthetic drugs is measured;
- illustrate the mechanisms and clinical uses of drugs which act to modify or mimic peripheral nervous system function.
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
- define all aspects of cell signaling/neuronal communication;
- explain concepts of agonist/antagonist concentration effect curves, techniques used to derive them and mechanisms relating to efficacy and signal transduction;
- appreciate the basic pharmacology of the peripheral nervous system;
- describe how drugs mimic or modify peripheral nervous system function, including the various actions and clinical uses;
- have a basic understanding of the routes of administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs;
- take more responsibility for their own learning.
The lecture course will cover:
- an introduction to drug absorption and disposition;
- cellular receptors as sites of drug action;
- the nature of agonists and antagonists;
- concentration response relationships;
- drug-receptor binding;
- basic pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system;
- distribution and classification of peripheral nervous system receptors and subsequent effects following activation;
- detail of the types and mechanism of action of drugs which modify peripheral, autonomic and somatic nerves, including the clinical uses of such drugs.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 23 | 1 | 23 |
| Independent online learning hours | 10 | ||
| Private study hours | 67 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
- 5 hours: online interactive tutorials associated with lectures and practice MCQs
- 46 hours: reading associated with lectures (23 x 2 hours)
- 3 hours: revision for formative MCQ
- 5 hours: revision for in course MCQ
- 7 hours: preparation for final MCQ
- 1 hour: class tests, exams and assessment (2 x 0.5).
A formative MCQ/EMQ exam will highlight areas of weakness to students and provide an opportunity for the module leader to provide additional resources in areas where the cohort show weaknesses.
The in-course summative MCQ/EMQ exam will provide a further opportunity to monitor student progress prior to the final examination period.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| In-course MCQ | One formative | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0 | |
.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 1.0 Hrs Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 4/5/2023
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team