Module manager: Dr David Lewis
Email: d.i.lewis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Completion of Level 5 of a programme offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences.
| BMSC2341 | Experimental Skills in Pharmacology |
| BMSC2342 | Experimental Skills in Neuroscience |
| BMSC2343 | Experimental Skills in Human Physiology |
| BMSC2344 | Experimental Skills in Medical Sciences |
| BMSC5230M | Animal Models in Drug Development |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the involvement of animals in different areas of discovery biology and pre-clinical drug development research. It will include the law, ethics and ethical review, animal welfare, the reproducibility and translatability of research involving animals and highlight the differences in all these areas across the world. It will discuss the regulatory and other drivers globally to reduce, and ultimately replace, the involvement of animals with non-animal alternatives. Students will also gain hands-on experience of working with research animals and in evaluating data from animal studies. This module is designed to prepare students going onto careers in research, whether or not their research involve animals, and those going onto careers where knowledge of studies involving animals would be advantageous.
The objectives of this module are to provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the use of animals in discovery biology and pre-clinical drug development, and their place with respect to alternative non-animal approaches. Content is applied in workshops, debates, practical sessions, and in formative and summative assessments, to further develop understanding, and develop their ethical and cultural awareness and values. Reflective logs consolidate this learning, and students personal and professional development.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the involvement of research animals in discovery biology, and pre-clinical drug development
2. Appraise the legislative, regulatory, ethical and animal welfare issues, and societal concerns surrounding the involvement of animals in scientific research globally.
3. Evaluate the scientific benefits and constraints of studies involving research animals, and their place with respect to complimentary, but alternative, experimental approaches.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret data from research animal studies
5. Critically appraise regulatory documents and related information.
6. Employ ethical and cultural awareness and capital.
Ethical awareness & responsibility; Experimental & technical skills; Data analysis & Interpretation.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Practicals | 2 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Practical | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seminar | 1 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Seminar | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 147.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Seminar preparation and other in-course assignments;
reading associated with lectures;
data analysis and interpretation;
team-based preparation for debate.
Formative feedback will be provided through workshops, module discussion boards and after each in-course assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Critique | Critique of Project licence | 70 |
| Reflective log | Reflective Log | 10 |
| Report | Safety Pharmacology briefing note | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The reflective log can not be resat and will be replaced with a reflective essay.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team