Unit information: Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission in 2021/22

Unit name	Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission
Unit code	PHPH30002
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Sheppard
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 the pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission. Lectures examine how drugs affect the function of a number of ion channels (including potassium and calcium channels), the roles these channels play in regulating transmitter release, examples of diseases caused by mutations in ion channels, the fundamental properties of transmitter release and synaptic transmission, and how drugs can be used to modify the operation of channels and transmitter release in the treatment of disease.

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 ion channel and synaptic pharmacology.

Teaching Information

Lectures, practicals

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. PHPH30002).

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.