Kursplan

COURSE TITLE

Pharmacodynamics, 7,5 points

COURSE CATEGORY   Single subject course
MAIN FIELD OF STUDY
SUBJECT AREA

COURSE CODE

8FA026

AIM OF THE COURSE

In this course the student will acquire an advanced understanding of the mechanisms of drug action and the relation between drug concentration and effect. Furthermore, the course will focus both on recent research within some field of pharmacology and on modern techniques available to study and elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of how drugs act. The course comprises in-depth knowledge in medical biology.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course the students will be able to:
-Apply an advanced knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action to analyse drug effects on a molecular to medical level
-Analyse advanced models of drug/receptor protein interactions
-Analyse complex relationships between drug concentration and medical effects
-Apply the knowledge to design and perform laboratory studies in the area of pharmacodynamic sciences
-Evaluate and analyse complex pharmacodynamic problems presented in the scientific literature and argue for the opinion in oral or written presentations

CONTENTS

Contents
-Drugs that interact with transmembrane proteins (e.g. receptor proteins, ion-channels, cell adhesion molecules, carriers and enzymes)
-Drugs that interfere with intracellular target proteins (e.g. enzymes, steroid receptors and cytoskeletal proteins) and with replication, transcription and translation.
-Current concept of drug/receptor protein interaction
-Drugs that affect the neuron and neurotransmission including cholinergic, adrenergic and peptidnergic transmission
-Drugs that affect muscle cells
-Principles of gene- and immunotherapy
-Overview of pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution and elimination) and therapeutics
-Recent research within some field of pharmacology and on modern techniques available to study and elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of how drugs act

TEACHING

The educational methods include lectures, tutorial groups, seminars, practical and computer-based laborations.

The educational method used is problem-based learning (PBL). PBL emphasises the student´s development of free, self-supporting, lifelong learning ability as an instrument for critical inquiry. The student´s own queries and the problems formulated form the basis of PBL. What is also important is the student´s ability to take responsibility for his/her own learning, and to seek and evaulate information and knowledge as well as to develop co-operative skills and a flexible attitude to different views and ideas.

EXAMINATION

Examination forms include active participation in tutorial groups and seminars, written and oral examinations, completed assignments and examination of practical skills.

Students who have failed the course or part of the course twice are entitled to request another examiner for the following examination occasion.

Extent of re-examinations
The extent of a re-examination shall be similar to the regular examination.

Entries for examinations
Rules for entries for examination are given in the course plan. In addition the "Regulations regarding examinations and examiners" laid down by decision of Linköpings University (Dnr LiU 1109/00-40) apply.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

At least three years of full-time undergraduate studies in a major subject area with relevance for Life Science, e.g. from faculties within medicine, technology/natural sciences, odontology, pharmaceutical science. The lowest acceptable grade from undergraduate studies is Pass.

Applicants with a degree from a non-Swedish university must enclose an official examination certificate of at least three years of full-time studies in subjects with relevance for Life Science, such as biology, chemistry, medicine or the like.
Documented knowledge of English equivalent to ”Engelska B”; i.e. English as native language or an internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (miminum scores: Paperbased 550 + TWE-score 4.0, computerbased 213 and internetbased 79), IELTS, academic (minimum score: Overall band 6.0 and no band under 5.0), or equivalent.

GRADING

The course is graded on the following scale: Pass; Fail.

CERTIFICATE

Course certificate is issued by the Faculty Board on request. The Department provides a special form which should be submitted to the Student Affairs Office at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

COURSE LITERATURE

The course literature is decided upon by the department in question.

OTHER INFORMATION

Course Evaluation
Planning and implementation of the course shall be carried out on the basis of the wording in this course plan. The evaluation of the course should therefore consider the question how well the course agrees with the course plan.
An anonymous written individual evaluation at the end of the course is supplemented with oral evaluations in group. Electronic evaluation of the course will also take place in accordance with Linköping University´s regulations (Dnr LiU 780/06-04).

Certificate
At the student´s request, course certificate may be issued by the director of studies for courses or, according to delegation, by the head of the department/director of programme studies.

Additional Information
The course is given in such a way that both men´s and women´s experiences and knowledge are 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 occations within one year, one of them in close connection with the first examination.

Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics, advanced course

Department responsible
for the course or equivalent: MEDBIO - Medicinsk biologi

Registrar No: LiU 1410/06-41

Course Code: 8FA026

Exam codes: see Local Computer System

Subject/Subject Area :

Level		Education level			Subject Area Code		Field of Education
Avancerad					MBI		Medicin