Pharmacology BSc (Hons): XJTLU 2+2 programme

This module will provide an understanding of the quantitative aspects of drug action on cellular receptors and will address the relationship between drug efficacy and chemical structure.

The module will introduce the basic principles of pharmacokinetics, outline the relationship between drug concentration and response, and include an introduction to the principles of toxicity of drugs and their metabolites.

The module will provide knowledge of the molecular biology of receptors.

The lectures will be supplemented with online resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by both an online test and a final examination.

The Biochemistry and Pharmacology programmes, and at UoL require students to have studied chemistry to A level or equivalent standard. The Biological Chemistry module is designed to build on this background, and the chemical content of the Year 1 modules, especially LIFE101 and LIFE102 (which is designed for all students) to develop chemical understanding and analytical skills to support later modules in structural and mechanistic biochemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics. The module may also be taken by C130 or C100 students with the appropriate chemical background to equip them to study some of these later modules as part of their general programmes.

This laboratory module covers the basic techniques of chemical experimental science, including analysis of unknown chemicals, basic chemical synthesis and separation and computerised search for molecular information.

A year 2 Chemistry module for Life Sciences. Whilst designed and aimed to offer Pharmacology students a grounding in directly relevant organic chemistry and spectroscopy, other Life Science students with an interest in Pharmacology may wish to take this as an optional module.

This module aims to enable students to develop their understanding of the cardiovascular, endocrine and central nervous systems and the mechanisms by which drugs interact with physiological processes operating within each of these systems. They will also gain an appreciation of the drug development process, including clinical trials and drug regulation. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises in class will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by an online test and a final examination.

This module aims to provide practical experience in many of the techniques specifically used in the study of Pharmacology. It will also provide you with the specialist skills and knowledge of techniques necessary to undertake practical work and project work in Year Three. Each practical will be introduced through a 15-20 minute presentation and will run for 3 hours. The module will be assessed through a report describing the experimental techniques and main findings of one of the key practicals, and through a final online assessment aimed at evaluating student understanding of the experimental approaches, underpinning pharmacological principles and data processing/interpretation.

This module will continue, extend, and broaden the transferable skills developed in Year 1. It will focus on improving the students’ analytical, communication, quantitative, and employability skills. The communication skills component is assessed through a portfolio whereas the quantitative skills component is assessed through a group poster and SAQ.

This module aims to describe the structure and function of fundamental tissues, such as epithelial and connective tissue and of specialised tissues such as muscle and the nervous system. An introduction to the mechanisms by which cells differentiate to form different tissues and regenerate following injury will be included. The processes that occur during aging will be explained with special reference to changes in key tissues and organs. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources, guided reading and formative assessment exercises that will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by both continuous assessment and by a final examination.​

The module will develop knowledge and understanding of the immune system, the molecules, cells and tissues that are involved in its function, its role in combating infection and how its dysfunction can contribute to disease.

Lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Problem solving workshops dedicated to case studies will be held to help students prepare for the assessments. Students will be given guided reading, and formative and summative assessment exercises held during the course will enable students to monitor and evaluate their progress and to prepare for the final assessment.

By the end of the course students should be able to understand the vital role of the immune system in health and disease and be able to apply this understanding to range of clinical and research scenarios.

The module will be assessed by two assessments: one 1000 word coursework assignment (40%) and one exam (60%).

This module will describe the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to communicate with each other;

The basic properties common to all signalling pathways will be studied and then a series of individual pathways will be examined in more detail, in the light of these general principles;

The importance of cellular signalling mechanisms will be illustrated by examining diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurological disorders) that result from defects in these mechanisms;

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module;

The module will be assessed by continuous assessment

This module aims to provide the essential background knowledge to understand key concepts in neuroscience. It covers the principles of operation of nervous system, systematic and sensory neurophysiology, excitotoxicity and behaviour. The module also provides essential background knowledge to understand the key principles of endocrinology, and how it contributes to physiological homeostasis. It covers the secretions, functions and regulation of the major endocrine glands. The module also explores the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in the integrative control of the digestive tract. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by continuous assessment.

This module aims to introduce students with an interest in Genetics and Molecular Biology to the range of biological mechanisms that control structure and stability of the genetic material and their impact on health and disease.

It uses examples from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, to develop principles that explain DNA replication, repair and recombination. These principles and processes are then discussed in a clinical/medical genetics context.

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by continuous assessments.

This practical module aims to provide practical and theoretical experience in techniques currently used in cell biology. These techniques include assay, culture, histology and microscopy. The module is assessed through coursework and a final exam.

The aim of this practical module is to develop students’ core experimental skills in human physiology, including methods to measure the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Students will thus improve their understanding of scientific method, and develop teamworking and presentation skills. During the practical classes and plenary lectures students will be introduced to various techniques for measuring physiological variables. Then they will learn how to apply appropriate statistical tools to define the normal or expected range for physiological variables. Students will learn how to design experiments and how to assess the accuracy and precision of data, and identify sources of error. The module is continuously assessed.

This module is a 6 weeks molecular biology practical to provide experience in techniques to isolate, clone and analyse genes (analysis of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, transformations, plasmid DNA preparations, gene cloning). The module has a range of different formative and summative assessments to include in-course problem-solving exercises, online quizzes and abstract writing, which ensure the student becomes confident to continue genetic manipulations in specialist Year 2 Semester 2 practical modules and for project work in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.  ​The module will encourage confidence, teamwork and communication through active learning in lectures and practicals centred around authentic assessments.

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​​

This module will provide practical experience in advanced biochemical techniques. Students, working in small groups (of 4, exceptionally 3) will plan and perform two experimental projects: one on enzyme stability, and the other on protein purification. This module is required for students intending to enter the Biochemistry Honours School and is continuously assessed. The module is delivered via lectures, lab work and workshops and assessed by practical exam and two scientific reports.

The aim of this module is to develop advanced knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory pharmacology. It will develop an awareness of the basic pathophysiology of major cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. It will also explain the mechanisms of action of drugs at the molecular, cellular, organ, and system levels in health and disease. The module is taught through short asynchronous course content delivery and face to face tutorial and revision sessions held in person in lecture theatres. It will be assessed with continuous assessments.

The aim of this module is to demonstrate the relevance and importance of the principles of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. It will stress the importance of the relationship between drug disposition and drug response. The module will be mainly taught through formal lectures. Formative exercises will be submitted electronically and feedback will be provided electronically. In-class online problem solving workshops will address the topics pharmacokinetics and PBPK and demonstrate the use of software. The module will be assessed through coursework.

​ The aim of this module is to  provide a contemporary review of drug treatment for the most common disorders of the brain, focusing on pathophysiology, receptors and ion channels as drug targets, and the mechanisms of action of key classes of neuropharmacological agents The module will be assessed by both continuous assessment and by a final examination.

Pharmacology ​ResearchProjects (PHAR660) is a 30 credit module that runs throughout both semesters in Year 3. The module is designed to provide students with experience in conducting research projects, poster presentations, oral presentations and in preparing project reports and dissertations.

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of cancer development and progression and how this is exploited in the rational design of drugs to target cancer. A further aim is to explain the molecular mechanism of anti-cancer drugs and the potential for side-effects, drug toxicity and drug resistance. The module will be assessed by two coursework tasks. Module material will be delivered primarily through standard lectures. For independent learning, materials such as lecture handouts and links to research articles will be available on Canvas. Students will be directed to further key articles in the literature (textbooks, original papers, and review articles) and be expected to use this material to inform their independent learning. One class revision tutorial will be held at the end of the course.​

The aim of this module is to reinforce the relevance and importance of the principles of chemotherapy learned in level 5 (antibacterial chemotherapy) and extend the application of these principle to diseases caused by viruses (e.g. HIV/AIDS) and parasites (e.g. malaria). The module will be assessed by coursework which will consist of TWO separate assessments. Module material will be delivered primarily through a mixture of recorded and live online lectures as well as Face-2-Face on-campus sessions (subject to Covid-19 restrictions), supported by materials on VITAL and other web-based resources for students’ independent learning. Students will be directed to key articles in the literature (textbooks, original papers and review articles), and will be expected to use this material to inform their independent learning. A revision tutorial will prepare students for the second assessment (Week 13/14).​

The aim of this module is to introduce current concepts of mechanisms by which cells are killed by toxic chemicals with particular emphasis on drugs. It will also outline the main defence mechanisms that cells possess against injury. The module will be assessed by an essay and online test.