Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CPH2301

 
TITLE Introduction to Pharmacology for Applied Biomedical Science Students

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will provide a sound understanding of the principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs specifically for applied biomedical science students. It will provide a general introduction to the determinants of the time course of the drug in the body, and the application of drug lab monitoring principles important to assist in rational drug therapy. It will also provide an understanding of the pharmacology of NSAIDS, drugs of abuse and drugs acting on CNS and basic principles in toxicology and treatment of poisoning.

Study-unit aims:

- To provide a sound understanding of the principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs and drug lab monitoring principles.
- To give students a general introduction to pharmacokinetics i.e. the determinants of the time course of the drug in the body, applying pharmacokinetic principles in drug lab monitoring principles important to assist in rational drug therapy.
- To understand the mechanism, modes of actions and pharmacology of NSAIDS, drugs of abuse and drugs acting on CNS.
- To understand basic principles in toxicology and poisoning and the role of drug lab monitoring principles.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of this study-unit, the student will be able to:
- understand principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs most commonly encountered in drug lab monitoring.
- understand the determinants of the time course of the drug in the body and its importance in drug lab analysis.
- applying basic principles in rational drug therapy and lab drug monitoring.
- understand the pharmacology of NSAIDS and drugs acting on CNS.
- understand basic principles in toxicology and poisoning and the role of drug lab monitoring principles.

2. Skills:

By the end of this study-unit, the student will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs in the applied biomedical scenario;
- Use pharmacokinetic principles in understanding of the results of lab analysis of drugs;
- Understand interpatient variability with respect to drug plasma concentrations;
- Explain the selection of differing drug therapies for the individual patient following lab results;
- Use correct toxicological principles in the treatment of poisoning.

Main texts:

Recommended

- Humphrey P. Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower R. Rang & Dale's Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone. 6th Ed.
- Wecker L, Watts S, Faingold C, Dunaway G, Crespo L. Brody's Human Pharmacology. Mosby. 5th Ed.

Lecture notes

- Reid JL, Rubin PC, Walters MW. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Lecture Notes). Blackwell. 7th Ed.
- Neal MJ. Medical Pharmacology at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell. 6th Ed.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (1 Hour) SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Maria A. Cordina
Roger Ellul Micallef
Anthony Fenech (Co-ord.)
Janet Mifsud
Patricia Vella Bonanno
Lorna West
Mark Zammit

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit