BSc Pharmacology with Foundation

Title:

Foundation Programme: Biology

Code:

BI0BF1

Convenor:

DR Craig Hughes

Summary:

This module will take you on journey from the small to the large.  You’ll start by learning about biological molecules key to life, about cells and the chemical reactions that give them energy and allow them to replicate.  You’ll also learn about the biology of the human body and about natural selection and genetics.  There will be practical classes to introduce you to laboratory work, and to get used to handling and interpreting data, as well as the opportunity to undertake group work.  This module will give you the grounding required for degree programmes.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Oral 10%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Mathematics Foundation

Code:

BI0MF1

Convenor:

DR Lindsey Thompson

Summary:

The module will provide students with the basic mathematical knowledge and skills required for a successful transition to degrees related to Chemical and Biological Sciences. Lectures will provide a broad base of fundamental mathematical tools and techniques and practical work will give hands-on experience of application.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Chemistry

Code:

CH0CHE

Convenor:

DR Silvia Baldanza

Summary:

Study the chemical principles that provide the foundations for many scientific disciplines. Learn how to predict the properties of molecules from their structures and gain an understanding of how and why reactions happen. After studying material in lectures, you will apply your knowledge in the laboratory, developing practical skills in the process.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Practical 20%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Foundation in Academic Skills

Code:

IF0RAS

Convenor:

MISS Rachel Rushton

Summary:

This module, delivered at the University of Reading, will provide students with the opportunities to develop the academic skills essential for success both on the Foundation Year and as an undergraduate.  Course content will be delivered through a combination of guided online tasks and practical workshops. Students will be grouped according to their broad disciplines enabling the module to cover generic skills, while allowing for some differentiation in content and assessment tasks.     

Assessment Method:

Assignment 35%, Oral 35%, Portfolio 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Anatomy & Physiology

Code:

BI1AP12

Convenor:

DR Natasha Barrett

Summary:

Anatomy and Physiology introduces the amazing structure and function of key bodily systems to explore how organs work to support life. Whilst focussing on the context of a healthy Human, the structure and function of the Human body is consolidated through selected comparisons made to other vertebrates. For example, did you know that whilst the respiratory system of mammals is very similar, neither birds, lizards nor tortoises have a diaphragm! The digestive system of cats and dogs is similar to Humans but is more different in sheep and cattle. Most animals have 2 kidneys but not all have a bladder! The blood pressure in giraffes is much greater than Humans to get the blood to the top of their head. Brain shape and size may vary by species, but it is the convolutions that are thought to correspond to intelligence. Theoretical knowledge, to introduce the structure and function of each of the main body systems, is gained through lectures, and then applied in practical classes.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Set exercise 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Building Blocks of Life

Code:

BI1BEC1

Convenor:

PROF Phillip Dash

Summary:

Genes and cells are the fundamental building blocks of all life. All life is made up of cells and their function is controlled by genes. In this module we will introduce students to the dynamic nature of the cell and major concepts in cell biology and genetics. Microbial, animal and plant cell structures are examined and compared during a tour of the structure and function of the major organelles. The module also provides an overview of major cellular processes including energy production, cell death, cell communication, photosynthesis, stem cells, organization of cells into tissues and how cells survive extreme environments. Alongside this understanding of cells we will also examine genetics and genetic tools to understand transcription and translation, inheritance and evolution, gene regulation and key experimental techniques such as genetic engineering.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Pathology

Code:

BI1BP2

Convenor:

DR Sam Boateng

Summary:

Pathology is the study of diseases and how they affect the body.  This module introduces the tissue structure (histology) of the major systems in the Human body and the disease states (pathology) that can affect them along with an introduction to the treatment of disease and broader topics such as public health and epidemiology.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Microbiology

Code:

BI1S1

Convenor:

DR Geraldine Mulley

Summary:

This module provides students with an introduction to the discipline of Microbiology. Students will learn the fundamental biology of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi and viruses; their structure, replication, nutrition, the diverse environments where they live (including host-microbe interactions), and how some microbes benefit society (food production and biotechnology), whilst others cause disease. The module will also provide students with an understanding of how some microbes cause infections, the various ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases, and how microbes develop resistance to antimicrobials. Students will learn the techniques needed for safe handling of microbiological samples to isolate and purify bacteria and fungi from food samples in the laboratory.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Clinical and Metabolic Biochemistry

Code:

PM1MPAS1

Convenor:

DR Graeme Cottrell

Summary:

This module will provide you with an overview of the major metabolic pathways in biological systems, health and disease and how these concepts are applied to diagnosis and the creation of therapeutic agents. It will develop your knowledge of the immune system and how antibodies are used to diagnose and treat disease. The module touches on a variety of concepts that will allow you to apply knowledge from other modules, specifically the modules Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Medical Microbiology and the Building Blocks of Life.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Practical 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Principles of Drug Action

Code:

PM1PCOL1

Convenor:

DR Mark Dallas

Summary:

This module introduces you to biological concepts of pharmacology that will help you to understand drug action on the body. This includes how drugs exert both positive/and negative effects on the body, and how the body deals with drugs; the module will also include examples from body systems. It will include a brief introduction to classes of drugs, including basic models of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The module includes core science concepts linking physiology to drug action and is appropriate for research and medically/patient focussed students. It will also support the development of science communication skills, with specific reference to explaining drug action to an array of audiences. Training in pharmacology will be supported by integrated workshops to highlight real world application. Together, these will foster the development of an understanding of the principles of drug action and an ability to communicate science effectively.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Key Skills for Pharmacology

Code:

PM1PCOL2

Convenor:

DR Silvia Amadesi

Summary:

This module builds on complementary or co-requisite modules to develop expertise and knowledge on core laboratory and generic study skills. This module will also support you to further develop your ability to conduct pharmacological research.

You will apply pharmacology knowledge and skills to solve pharmacological problems. You will learn how to identify, extract and critically evaluate information from appropriate and reliable sources. You will develop your knowledge and abilities on the theoretical and practical uses of in vivo and in vitro techniques through simulated and hands-on experimentations. You will learn about experimental design in respect of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) principles, and gain further experience on the use of quantitative methods to collect, process, analyse and present research findings.

The skills and knowledge developed here are essential to undertake practical and workshop exercises in later modules, including the Research Project. 

Assessment Method:

Practical 50%, Set exercise 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Mathematics & Statistics for Pharmacology

Code:

PM1PCOL3

Convenor:

DR Calvin Smith

Summary:

This module will provide you with an introduction to basic mathematical and statistical concepts relevant to pharmacology. The module is designed to ensure you have the required quantitative skills for application in your first year pharmacological modules as well as providing you with relevant foundation material for the second year Mathematical Modelling for Pharmacology Module. The module will provide you with an overview of functions, basic algebra, differentiation, integration, ordinary differential equations, matrices and vectors, exploratory data analysis, statistical inference, basic experimental design and an introduction to medical statistics used in clinical trials.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Anatomy & Physiology 2

Code:

BI2AP12

Convenor:

DR Natasha Barrett

Summary:

How the Human body works – from fundamental science to the clinic.

The Human body is amazing!  Our hearts beat 100,000 times a day; we produce 1.5 litres of saliva every day; our kidneys filter 180 litres of blood a day (but we only urinate about 1.5 litres); our finger tips are sensitive enough to detect miniscule changes in a surface; we can (nearly) always fit in a sweet dessert!  Anatomy and Physiology 2 builds on the foundations of Part 1 Anatomy and Physiology to explore Human medical anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) and its application to a clinical setting.  Whilst focussing on the context of a healthy adult, the module also introduces how the structure and function may differ for individuals.  We’ll explore how lifestyle, socio-economic factors, gender, ethnicity and ageing (from pregnancy, through paediatrics, to geriatrics) each affect the body’s structure and function.  Theoretical knowledge is gained through lectures and then applied in practical classes by learning to carry out clinical examinations.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Clinical Biomedicine

Code:

BI2BCB5

Convenor:

PROF David Leake

Summary:

The Clinical Biomedicine module describes what happens to your blood or tissue sample when it is taken to the Pathology laboratories in a hospital. The role of haematology laboratories in investigating the various types of blood cells, leukaemias, lymphomas, myelomas, blood groups and haemostasis is described.  The techniques used in cellular pathology laboratories are covered, including histopathology, immunochemistry, cytology, cervical screening and auto-immunity. The types of assays used in clinical biochemistry laboratories are described and their roles in diagnosing liver, renal, endocrine and heart disease and inborn errors of metabolism. The use of tumour markers in cancer patients is discussed, as is the detection and measurement of drugs, both therapeutic and illegal, and poisons. You will carry out a practical in which you diagnose someone’s disease by determining their haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, blood type and full blood count. There is also a practical on the different types of blood coagulation assays and one in which you stain a cervical biopsy and carry out a Papanicolaou stain of cells. There is a talk from a hospital scientist on careers in hospital laboratories.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Report 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Medicines in Health Care

Code:

PM2MPAS2

Convenor:

DR Lizzy Lander

Summary:

This module brings together biochemical and biological science knowledge to understand the use, mechanisms and selection of different medicines.

Expands from core principles of drug action and molecular drug targets modules and provides a more detailed discussion of drug pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics. The module focusses on the gastrointestinal tract and liver and on drug delivery concepts including the different administration options for medicines (e.g. mouth) and how these affect drug use. The module will use case studies of exemplar drugs (e.g. proton pump inhibitors) to explore key concepts. Physicochemical concepts, and opportunities for the design and synthesis of known and novel drugs, will be illustrated throughout using relevant examples.

Throughout the module students will discuss the material (e.g. group work) in an inter-disciplinary environment to facilitate learning of content, and to gain a wider perspective of the core material. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 40%, Assignment 30%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Molecular Drug Targets

Code:

PM2PCOL1

Convenor:

PROF Gary Stephens

Summary:

This module will teach application of pharmacology to physiological systems from molecule to patient. A molecular, cellular and systems level approach to the study of drug action towards treatment of disease in cardiovascular, renal and respiratory systems that will develop from core skills introduced in Part 1 Principles of Drug Action. This module introduces students to concepts of pharmacology and integrates physiology, chemistry, therapeutics and practice with a focus on molecular drug targets in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Practical classes, interactive lectures and workshops will support pharmacological concepts. Science and practice concepts from all cognate disciplines that link to drug action on key molecular drug targets will be taught. These include: physiology and pathology of renal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, medicine development and delivery and medicines management. Together, these concepts will develop an understanding of key molecular drug targets and relevant pharmaceutical issues in a range of fundamental areas of drug and medicines use.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Drug Design and Delivery

Code:

PM2PCOL2

Convenor:

PROF Helen Osborn

Summary:

This module takes the student through the journey of drug discovery, drug action, design of medicines and patient-centred care. The module looks at how chemical structure impacts on activity and on medicine stability. Drug design and discovery is discussed for both synthetic and biological drugs, including natural products. Students are taught about the safe handling of materials, including aseptic preparations and quality assurance. Analytical science skills, initially introduced in Part 1, are developed further to introduce more advanced analytical methods and their use in drug discovery and quality control processes. Students will apply pharmacology knowledge and skills to address questions and solve pharmacological problems. To this, students will also develop knowledge and abilities on both theoretical and practical use of in vivo, ex-vivo and in vitro techniques using simulated and hand-on experimentation. Students will gain experience on the use of quantitative methods to collect, process, analyse and present the research findings and also report writing. skills and knowledge developed here are essential to undertake practical and workshop exercises in later modules, including the Research Project. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 10%, Oral 10%, Report 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Mathematical Modelling for Pharmacology

Code:

PM2PCOL3

Convenor:

DR Marcus Tindall

Summary:

This module will provide studies with an understanding of the modelling process using mathematical and statistical approaches. They will learn how to interrogate data using statistical approaches, what inferences can be drawn from the data, formulate, solve and investigate biological and pharmacological systems using mechanistic modelling approaches.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Research Project

Code:

PM3PCOL1

Convenor:

DR Graeme Cottrell

Summary:

This laboratory research-focused module provides students with the opportunity to take the lead on a research topic. The module is made up of two main components: 1) development of practical research and enquiry skills and 2) a research project assessed by a project write-up, project performance, a poster session and a final project viva.

Assessment Method:

Practical 10%, Oral 10%, Project 20%, Report 60%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Societal Impact of Pharmacology

Code:

PM3PCOL2

Convenor:

DR Leanne Black

Summary:

Module focussing on the ethical principles of research, including clinical trials (design, implementation, and reporting) and the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement in the use of animals in research. The module will also cover how pharmacology relates to social challenges and public health; the role of the pharmaceutical industry; the impact of pharmacology on patient care and regulation with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines; the pharmacoeconomics of drug provision; and an appreciation of the value of public engagement and outreach.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Oral 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology

Code:

PM3PCOL3

Convenor:

DR Darius Widera

Summary:

This module expands from core principles of drug action and molecular drug target modules in Part 1 and Part 2 to focus on clinical aspects of drug discovery and translation from preclinical studies to the human situation and associated potential human toxicology. The module focuses on molecular drug targets in the peripheral and central nervous system, the musculoskeletal system and in cancer and pain. It will also provide advanced knowledge on drug pharmacokinetics, drug development and using higher risk drugs (e.g. for cancer, pain), or novel therapies (e.g. gene therapy).  In addition, students will develop a knowledge of so-called ‘lifestyle’ drugs and the effects misuse of these drugs can have on human physiology. The module will also expand the knowledge on drugs used in healthcare and how organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provide guidelines for the use of medicines. The module will also consider the basic principles of toxicology, poisons and the treatment of poisoning from animals, microorganisms and plants, how chemicals adversely affect embryonic development, and the principles behind the use of pharmacology/toxicology in the development of new medicines. The module will be taught with the aid of lectures, case studies, practicals and workshops which will provide students with opportunities to take part to an ‘experimental’ clinical trial, handle and analyse the data obtained as well as being able to design their own study. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Innovation and Product Development

Code:

PM3IPD1

Convenor:

DR Al Edwards

Summary:

PM3IPD1 gives students an understanding of the innovation process “from science to person”, introducing the core topics of scientific innovation and product development (focussed on medicines, medical devices and cosmetics), whilst developing core skills that link science to industry. Students will learn to identify critical business development challenges that need to be addressed for science to benefit society.

This part 3 module will introduce students to core topics surrounding the societal and industrial challenge of translating science into real-world public benefit in the form of innovative products. The taught content covers the full range of innovation skills and knowledge, including a range of critical business development areas, alongside details of the product development pathway. Innovation topics include customer and market insight, intellectual property, finance, business development, and finally leadership. Students will also follow the lifecycle of a product launch, becoming aware how to effectively plan a product launch. This will be applied to a broad spectrum of products arising from a range of chemical and life sciences including pharmacology and pharmaceutical science; chemistry and cosmetic chemistry; biomedical science and bioengineering. Diverse case studies of real products and innovations, plus product concepts, will be explored by students. These will include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemical industry and cosmetic products, to allow students to connect with their respective degrees.

No prior knowledge of innovation is required, but we expect students to bring their expertise in their respective degree subject to the module. Interprofessional communication skills are vital for innovation, and students from different backgrounds will benefit from studying together. For example, pharmacology students will benefit from gaining an understanding of chemical formulation and bioengineering. Cosmetic chemistry students will get a chance to understand the connection between consumer products and healthcare/pharmaceuticals. Bioscience students will gain insight into how fundamental biomedical science can translate into products that benefit society. A key requirement is applying science and engineering principles to innovation and product development.

The students will learn by doing, gaining transferrable innovation skills. The module thus teaches the core skills and knowledge to navigate the path “from science to person”.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience

Code:

PM3PCOL4

Convenor:

DR Francesco Tamagnini

Summary:

The best way to do science it is to use your hands and then formalize the understanding of your experience. In this “Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience” module we will start with an experiment involving the measurement of the electrical activity in brain slices, without any further knowledge.

Throwing you directly into the laboratory environment to collect data and following this up with self-directed and lecture-aided support, to prepare your first formative report.

The remainder of the course will be built over an experimental axis:

1. Solvent-based extraction of neuroactive drugs from plants (for example from tea dry leaves).
2. Testing the effect of the extracted drug on the electrical and synaptic responses in a preclinical model of neural activity.
3. Testing the effect of the drug over brain electrical oscillations in a person, using electroencephalography.

The lectures, online material, formative, and summative assessments will be built around this programme of work.

The aim of this course is to provide the student with a systematic knowledge of the brain function, and drug-related alterations, paralleling different mind states using an experimental based approach enriched and complemented by lectures and on-line material. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.