Unit information: Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies in 2021/22

Unit name	Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies
Unit code	PHPH30003
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Kelly
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	PHPH20011 Principles of Pharmacology 2A
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students study advanced topics covering receptor signalling, so as to learn how different types of metabotropic receptors (including G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases) and intracellular receptors generate their effects, by the modification of levels of intracellular messengers and modification of trafficking of receptor proteins into and out of the cell membrane. The Unit also covers the roles of many of these receptors in the function and dysfunction of cardiovascular disease, and the use of drugs acting at these receptors in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Novel therapies for disease that are not based around small molecules (such as gene manipulation) are also discussed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the relevant field.
• The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
• The ability to integrate information from multiple sources and disseminate it in written accounts.
• An understanding of the importance of specialist metabotropic receptor pharmacology and of the development of novel therapies.

Teaching Information

Lectures

Assessment Information

Timed assessment 90%

The unit will be assessed through a timed assessment in May/June, which contributes 90% of the unit mark.

Coursework 10%

Essay or Data Analysis or Figure Interpretation question

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPH30003).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.