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Unit information: Health sciences: Pharmacology in 2013/14

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Health sciences: Pharmacology
Unit code ORDS20012
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Teschemacher
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Bristol Dental School
Faculty Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Year 2

Element 1: Pharmacology

Describe relevant physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, and discuss their applications to patient management.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should obtain a knowledge and understanding in order to be able to:

  • Define the mechanisms by which drugs can exert their effects on biological systems and how these may be quantified.
  • Describe and discuss the means by which drugs enter the body, distribute around the body and are eliminated from the body.
  • Describe the properties of a wide range of relevant drugs and therapeutic agents and discuss their application to patient management.
  • Discuss the effective and safe prevention, diagnosis and management of orofacial pain.
  • Discuss and interpret side effects of and interactions between drugs and therapeutic agents and their relevance to patient management.
  • Interpret patients’ mental and physical predisposition or vulnerability by the drugs they are regularly taking.
  • Describe a range of common health disorders and discuss their relevance to patient management.
  • Appraise the health risks of drugs and substance misuse, and substances such as tobacco and alcohol on oral and general health.

Students should acquire the skills and attributes necessary for:

  • Understanding the principles of scientific investigation and evidence-based approaches to patient care.
  • Experimental design.
  • Successful team work.
  • Appropriate and effective communication of research results.

Teaching Information

Lectures (33)

Small group tutorials (3)

Computer assisted learning tutorials (3)

Laboratory sessions (7)

Assessment Information

  • Final exam (2x 1.5 hour fully computerised using QuestionMark: 80%)
  • Online assessments supporting laboratory practical sessions (predominantly formative, small summative component: 4%)
  • Staff-led peer marking of laboratory practical work (predominantly formative, small summative component: 3%)
  • Computer-assisted learning tutorials (predominantly formative, small summative component: 3%)
  • Midsessional exam (1 hour optically marked MCQ and EMQ): (predominantly formative, small summative component: 10%).

Reading and References

  • Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology. HP Rang, MM Dale, J M Ritter, G Henderson, RJ Flower, 7th Ed. (2011). Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • British National Formulary. British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Regularly updated and published in print and online.
  • Integrated Pharmacology. CP Page, M Curtis, M Walker, B Hoffman, 3rd Ed. (2006) Mosby.
  • eBiolabs 2BDS Pharmacology online information.

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