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Fundamentals of Pharmacology

Module description

This module will provide you with a broad introduction to pharmacology. You will be introduced to the physiology of selected cells, tissues, and organs in the body and how drugs modulate their function. The nature of common drug targets (receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters) will be studied.  You will cover the fundamental principles of pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug), pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body), and pharmacogenomics (individual gene-based responses to drugs). These concepts will be illustrated using cutting-edge examples of how drugs act on selected organ systems.  This module provides the foundation from which you may progress to higher modules in Experimental Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Rational Drug Design.

To take CSC1010 you must normally have an A Level (or equivalent) in Biology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to introduce you to the fascinating world of pharmacology and the real-world use of drugs, prescription and otherwise.  You will learn the fundamental concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.  Specific physiological systems will be discussed with illustration of clinical drugs and their important action on improving human health.  You will be introduced to pharmacogenomics and how drug development, accessibility, and efficacy vary across diverse racial populations. As an experimental science, pharmacology is best learned by practising your laboratory skills and you will do this in the laboratory.  You will receive support through in-person workshops on drug calculations, statistics, and poster preparation. Assessment will consist of a 60% in-class test analysing unique pharmacological data and a 40% poster presentation based on the lab practical with faculty questioning.

Graduate attributes: as part of this module, you will develop the key employability skills of time management, group working and scientific communication skills.

The module aligns with sustainable development goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) ensuring knowledge into physiology and healthy lives along with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the basic pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion using examples of commonly used drugs.
• 2. Describe the basic pharmacodynamic concepts of drug action (affinity, efficacy, potency, receptor selectivity) and common drug targets (receptors, enzymes, ion channels, transporters)
• 3. Describe the actions of drugs, including signal transduction mechanisms, on the heart, lungs, autonomic nervous system and central nervous system
• 4. Recognise the potential impact of pharmacogenomics on clinical practice

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Analyse the concentration-dependent effects of drugs on biological responses (e.g. caffeine, acetylcholine, copper sulphate on Daphnia heart rate)
• 6. Apply an understanding of drug calculations and serial dilutions in a practical setting
• 7. Explore good laboratory practice and safe working behaviour in laboratory sessions.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Develop key personal and transferable skills in time management, group working, and scientific communication.
• 9. Develop skills in the presentation and evaluation of pharmacological data

Syllabus plan

1. The module curriculum will be delivered as a series of lectures, workshops, and consolidation & apply sessions. 
2. An introductory overview of basic pharmacological concepts will be given focussing on the key principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics. These principles will be illustrated with real world examples of the action of drugs on selected organ systems. 
3. Flipped classroom teaching: You will engage in workshops that build on recorded lectures on these topics, enabling you to reinforce your understanding through interactive discussions and applied learning.  In-person learning will also include workshops on drug calculations, data analysis (including statistical methods), and poster presentation techniques. 
4. Experiential hands-on learning: Laboratory sessions will allow you to learn pharmacology by performing pharmacological experiments.
5. Formative learning activities (games, quizzes) will be provided to assist understanding of key concepts.
6. Two in-person assessments will assess the module ILOs.
7. An end of module WRAP prize quiz session will reinforce key concepts in a collaborative setting.

Accessibility Statement:

As part of this module, you will undertake two laboratory sessions in the teaching laboratory (of up to 0 students) that are of 2-3 hrs in duration. These sessions will be undertaken in pairs, and sessions involve fine laboratory work. Breaks are possible and students can leave the laboratory for short periods.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Physiology at a Glance, Ward & Linden, 4^th edition, 2017, Wiley
• Medical Pharmacology at a Glance, Neal, 8^th edition, 2015, Wiley
• Rang & Dale's Pharmacology, 10^th edition, Ritter, Flower, Henderson, Loke, MacEwan, Robinson & Fullerton, 2023, Elsevier

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Module ELE page containing formative quizzes and access to on-line learning resources

Key words search

Pharmacology, drug, physiology, medicine, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics