Module MSE-3022:
Pharmacology&Drug Development

Module Facts

Run by School of Medical and Health Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Rachel Hallett

Overall aims and purpose

Students successfully completing this third year module should have developed a conceptual understanding of the clinical development of drugs including antibiotics, plant derived drugs and novel immunomodulatory compounds. They should also acquire an understanding of how drugs interact with the body and how information can be retrieved from pharmaceutical databases.

Course content

Drug Development teaches students about (i) drug-body interactions (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics), (ii) the clinical development of drugs. The module uses case studies to explain how drugs are developed from bench to bedside. Examples are selected from a broad range of drugs including antibiotics, plant-derived drugs and novel immunomodulatory compounds. The content of the module is annually updated to incorporate new developments.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Category D (40%-49%): Knowledge is limited to key areas & principles with gaps. No evidence of background reading. Answers are poorly focused with some irrelevant material and/or repetition. No original interpretation and ideas. Limited problem solving skills, poor time management. Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

C- to C+

Category C (50%-59%): Knowledge is limited to key areas & principles with gaps. No evidence of background reading. Answers are largely correct but are based on statements of facts without additional explanation and context. No original interpretation and ideas. Limited problem solving skills, poor time management. Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

good

Category B (60%-69%): Knowledge of key areas & principles. The main areas are understood with some minor omissions. Limited evidence of background study. Answers are focused on question, but also with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure. Arguments presented but lack sometimes coherence. No original interpretation & ideas. Only major links between topics are described. Answers are based on lecture material. Evidence of problem solving & time management skills. Some weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

excellent

Category A (70%-100%): Comprehensive knowledge & detailed understanding with clear evidence of background study. Highly focused answer and well structured and well supported by diagrams & tables. Logically presented and defended arguments. No factual errors. Original interpretation and novel links between topics are developed. Excellent problem solving & time management skills. Very good presentation and accuracy. To obtain marks in the A+ and A* range, clear evidence of background reading has to be present. Top answers based on the lecture material return low A marks.

Learning outcomes

  1. Evaluate and describe the multiple parameters that are involved in developing drugs through the pre-clinical and clinical stages.

  2. Synthesise pharmacological information to assess how drugs interact with the body (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics).

  3. Retrieve and critically review information from a variety of pharmaceutical databases.

  4. Present an accurate and informative written description of a drug in therapeutic use, to a lay audience.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Essay exam 60.00
New Scientist style news article 40.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Tutorial

1 x 2 hour student led tutorial on drug report assignment, and exam practice.

Please note, for 2020/21, a blended learning style of delivery will be used. Students unable to attend Bangor University campus will be able to follow all aspects of the teaching online. On campus teaching may be integrated, subject to Covid-19 related restrictions.

 2
Private study

84 hours private study: reviewing lecture notes, additional reading, preparing coursework and revising.

 84
Lecture

6 x 2 hour lectures

Please note, for 2020/21, a blended learning style of delivery will be used. Students unable to attend Bangor University campus will be able to follow all aspects of the teaching online. On campus teaching may be integrated, subject to Covid-19 related restrictions.

 12
Seminar

2 hours pharmaceutical company simulation - discussing which of three drugs will enter phase III trials.

Please note, for 2020/21, a blended learning style of delivery will be used. Students unable to attend Bangor University campus will be able to follow all aspects of the teaching online. On campus teaching may be integrated, subject to Covid-19 related restrictions.

 2

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Resources

Resource implications for students

None

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/mse-3022.html

Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/lists/E5C8ADE4-D1F8-AC69-B934-5B7B742C4BF5.html

Reading list supplied for core texts. Different digitised papers will be selected on an annual basis to provide up-to-date additional reading.

Courses including this module