Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences

Entry requirements

The special eligibility requirement possession of the Degree of Bachelor of Sciences in a major subject area with relevance for biomedical sciences. This could include previous studies at faculties of medicine, technology/natural sciences, odontology or veterinary medicine. A major part of courses included in the Bachelor degree should be in subjects such as biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, gene technology, microbiology, physiology, immunology, histology, anatomy, and pathology. Applicants must also have documented skills in English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English B). For applicants who have not studied in Swedish upper secondary education, skills in English are normally attested to by means of an international language test.

Intended learning outcomes

In this course the student will acquire an advanced knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action on a molecular and cellular level to understand the medical effects of drugs. The course comprises in-depth knowledge in pharmacodynamics (how drugs act) and includes recent research within selected fields of pharmacology. The course is elective semester one or three in the Master’s Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences.


LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course the students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
-Understand the mechanisms of action of different drugs on a molecular, cellular and physiological level
-Analyze drug effects on a molecular to medical level
-Analyze advanced models of drug/receptor protein interactions

Competence and skills
-Apply an advanced knowledge in pharmacological sciences in order to design and perform laboratory studies and to critically interpret obtained results

Judgement and approach
-Evaluate and analyze complex pharmacological questions presented in the scientific literature

Course content

-Current concept of drug/receptor protein interaction
-Mechanisms and medical effects of drugs that interact with G-protein coupled receptors
-Drugs that interact with transmembrane proteins
-Drugs that interfere with intracellular target proteins
-Drugs that affect the neuron and neurotransmission
-Pharmacokinetics
-Recent research within some field of pharmacology; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Teaching and working methods

General: Linköping University Master’s Programme in Experimental and Medical Biosciences applies student-centered learning among which Problem Based Learning (PBL) is one pedagogical philosophy and method. To prepare the students for future employment, practical and experimental work in laboratory settings are important parts of the programme in courses as well as in individual projects.
Specific: In this course lectures, tutorial groups, seminars and laboratory work are used.

Examination

COMPULSORY ITEMS
Active participation in the compulsory parts is necessary to pass the course, and assessment of them is carried out continuously. Compulsory parts in this course are: tutorial groups, group assignments- including laboratory work and in-depth studies, and seminars.

EXAMINATION
Individual written examination.


SCOPE OF RE-EXAMINATION
The extent of a re−examination shall be similar to the regular examination.

CHANGE OF EXAMINERS
Students who have failed the course or part of the course twice are entitled to request another examiner for the following examination occasion, unless specific reasons are present.

REGISTRATION FOR EXAMINATION
The procedure for registration should be stated prior to the commencement of each course. In other respects, regulations concerning examination and examiners are applied in accordance with Linköping University policy.

Grades

Other information

The planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the course plan. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees will the course plan. The course is carried out in such a way that both men’s and women’s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed. If the course is withdrawn, or is subject to major changes, examinations according to this course plan are normally offered on a total of three occasions within one year, one of them in close connection to the first examination.

Department