SLVKB0351U Principles of Pharmacology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences - compulsory
Content

The course deals with the following topics:

  • Fundamental nerve/muscle/cell physiology with special focus on membrane physiology and synaptic mechanisms
  • Receptor pharmacology including receptor classifications, agonists, antagonists, development of tolerance, and analysis of receptor-ligand interactions
  • Pharmacodynamics: Dose-response relationships, dose/time relationships, use of biological systems to estimate activities of drugs, statistical analysis of biological data
  • Pharmacokinetics: General kinetics, absorption, distribution, elimination, metabolism, excretion and drug interactions
  • Drug development methods: Animal models, preclinical development and concepts of toxicology.
Learning Outcome
To give students a fundamental understanding and knowledge of the basic concepts of physiology and pharmacology.

At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
  1. Understand concepts used in physiology and basic pharmacology
  2. Calculate, estimate and discuss physiological and pharmacological parameters obtained from experimental and clinical data (pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data)
  3. Discuss and explain pharmacology-related procedures and methods used in preclinical drug development.
Literature
  • Silverthorn: Human Physiology, 5th edition, Pearson International, 2010.
  • Rang, H.P., Dale, M.M., Ritter, J.M. & Flower, R. J.: Pharmacology, 7th edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2012.
  • Rowland, M. & Tozer, T.N.: Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics. Concepts and Applications. 4th edition, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2011.
  • Meldgaard Lund, T. and Sheykhzade M., FARMA, KU: Pharmacokinetic and -dynamic Equations and Preconditions (on the homepage).
  • Pharmacodynamic theory notes: Sheykhzade & Pickering, 9th ed., 2013 (on the course homepage).
Course teaching is based on the assumption that students have passed exams in chemistry subjects corresponding to at least 15 ECTS credits, of which 10 ECTS credits should be in organic chemistry and biology, and 15 ECTS credits in biochemistry and/or molecular biology and/or microbiology.
• 30 lectures
• 18 hours of tutorials
• 1 group project
• 4 hours laboratory exercise
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 56
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Practical exercises
  • 4
  • Preparation
  • 60
  • Preparation
  • 36
  • Preparation
  • 2
  • Theory exercises
  • 18
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 timer under invigilation
Assessment is based on a written exam with usually 3 or 4 different assignments. The individual weighting of each assignment will be clearly stated on the exam paper.

The highest number of points achievable is 100, and the pass requirement is 50 points. Overall impression forms part of the assessment and may cause the score to be adjusted by up to 10%. The adjustment is based on the demonstration of an overall understanding of basic pharmacological principles and topics, and the absence of major weaknesses.
Aid
Without aids

Apart from the standard programs and IT tools listed under The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at http://pc-eksamen.ku.dk/pc_exam students will at this exam also have access to MathType.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

12 - Excellent performance
A well-structured presentation with a clear outline providing exact and correct answers. The student demonstrates a comprehensive overview of physiology and basic pharmacology, convincingly combining the elements learned. The student demonstrates, with few minor weaknesses:

  • A skilful command of the relevant terms, principles and methods used in physiology and pharmacology.

7 - Good performance
A coherent presentation providing understandable unambiguous answers, the great majority of which should be correct. The student demonstrates a reasonable overview of the elements learned. The student demonstrates, with minor weaknesses:

  • A sound knowledge of the relevant terms, principles and methods used in physiology and pharmacology.

2 - Acceptable performance
A less structured presentation with less precise answers. The student demonstrates a limited overview and ability to combine the elements learned. The student demonstrates, to a limited extent and with a number of weaknesses:

  • The ability to use the relevant terms, principles and methods used in physiology and pharmacology.