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SL12123: Fundamentals of pharmacology: health and disease for Natural Sciences

[Page last updated: 30 November 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: EXCB 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EXCB 30%)
  • S2 Examination (EXCB 70%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
  • Define health and illness and the physiological concept of homeostasis.
  • Describe the normal structure and function of human cells at a molecular, cellular and tissue level.
  • Demonstrate a foundation knowledge of the differences between bacterial, viral, and fungal cells as well as the principles of infection mechanisms.
  • Explain the principles of the molecular basis of drug action within living systems at a molecular and cellular level (pharmacology).
  • Employ the relevant pharmacological calculations to determine the potency of agonist and antagonist drug action.
  • Describe the structure and function of the major organs and systems of the human body.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how the function of major organs and systems is integrated and regulated in normal healthy physiology.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how these functions can become dysregulated in disease.
  • Calculate basic statistical distributions and summarise data.



Synopsis:
  • Advance your knowledge of the structure and function of human cells at a molecular, cellular and tissue level
  • Develop knowledge of the differences between bacterial, viral, fungal cells and principles of infection mechanisms
  • Explore the concepts of drug action within living systems
  • Advance your knowledge of how the function of major organs and systems is integrated and regulated in normal healthy physiology
  • Calculate basic statistical distributions and summarise data.


Content: Structure and function of the human cell. Cellular respiration and metabolism. Microbiology. Introduction to pharmacology & receptor theory. Enzymes as catalysts and drug targets. Nucleosides, DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Physiological and disease states associated with the major organs and systems. Use of statistical software to analyse statistical distributions, calculation of mean, median, variance, regression.

Course availability:

SL12123 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.