Pharmacology - BSc (Hons)

Coventry University

The Add+vantage modules teach a range of work experience and extra-curricular activities that are taken each year, and broaden students? knowledge and skills within a work focused environment. There is a very wide range of Add+vantage free-choice subject areas, and they are arranged in themes.

In this module you will explore the activities of the cell that are fundamental to understanding disease states. A myriad of chemical reactions and molecular interactions allow cells to grow and divide, alter their activities and functions, organise into tissues, communicate with each other and ultimately die. These normal processes are frequently altered or hijacked in disease. You will also explore how novel therapeutic approaches are emerging based on this molecular understanding.

This module is designed to enable you to develop laboratory, practical and associated data analysis skills that are of key importance in pharmacology, for example to measure drug and metabolite concentrations, detect drug contaminants and to determine pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters.

The immune system in both health and disease and pharmacological agents which modulate immune responses will be your focus in this module. The links between chronic inflammation and multiple disease phenotypes will be discussed. The ability to exploit elements of the immune system for use as stratified immunotherapies will be introduced and explored in the context of hypersensitivity reactions, allergy and cancer.

This module integrates key disciplines of human physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology to explore disease states, their diagnosis within the clinical laboratory, and the rationale, mode of action and pharmacokinetic properties of drug therapies. You will consider four fundamental topic areas (nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems plus infectious disease) and the properties and modes of action of commonly prescribed drugs. Pharmacological considerations such as individual variation are addressed where relevant for these examples.

You will extend your learning from Pharmacology and Pathophysiology 1 to consider normal and pathophysiology, biochemical diagnosis and management, and pharmacological agents for therapy of disease states affecting the gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine systems. You will apply the key pharmacological principles relating to drug mechanisms and pharmacokinetics.

This module takes the form of a group based ?mini-project?. You are recruited to research teams acting as consultants for a pharmaceutical company. The consultancy project will involve literature and technical research, laboratory practical investigation and generation of a report for the company. You apply for roles within the teams and successful appointment to the chosen project team will be determined by interview.

Professional work placement

Study abroad

The Add+vantage modules teach a range of work experience and extra-curricular activities that are taken each year, and broaden students? knowledge and skills within a work focused environment. There is a very wide range of Add+vantage free-choice subject areas, and they are arranged in themes.

During this module you will consider two key areas which present contemporary pharmacological challenges. Cardiovascular conditions, heart disease and stroke are still major disease concerns globally. Events occurring in the brain are complex and, in some cases, still poorly understood. In this module you will consider the current challenges in cardiovascular and neuropharmacology and explore the potential opportunities and barriers to future developments.

Cancer is one of humanity?s greatest health challenges and it is estimated there will be 27.5 million new cases of cancer each year by 2040. Consequently, the development of anti-cancer therapies in order to improve the clinical management of cancers has been a central objective of the pharmaceutical industry and the focus of worldwide research efforts. In this module you will review the multiple oncogenic processes that allow cancer to arise, including consideration of emerging cancer hallmarks of metabolic adaptation, immune system evasion and the importance of the tumour microenvironment.

You will discuss drug development processes, indicating how these have evolved from ancient times to the current day and beyond. Starting with pharmacognosy (medicinal drugs obtained from plants or other natural sources) and pre-industrial drug discovery. Throughout the module you will go on to consider stages of the process including target identification, in vivo and in vitro drug screening, testing of large and small molecule compounds, compound optimisation, clinical trials and marketing. You will then consider recent breakthrough technologies, the impact of genomics in the development of personalised therapies and what future developments may yield.

The aim of this module is to enable you to conduct a piece of investigative research, which may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, in a specialised area of Pharmacology. This module follows from Research Design for Pharmacology and you implement your research proposals in this module. The variety and scope of projects allows you to pursue your own interests, potentially linked to future career aspirations, and to integrate prior skills and knowledge. You are supported and guided by your supervisor, but are encouraged to develop independence of thought, and the ability and confidence to adapt and evolve your research ideas, based on reflective practice.

In this module, you will prepare for your final year research project. You will be supported through the process of defining your research question, planning your investigation and considering the most appropriate data analysis methods. The module will enhance your skills in literature searching, experimental design, scientific writing, data processing and statistical analysis. You will submit a proposal for ethical and health and safety approval, and to address key aspects of project design, management and logistics.

This is an assessment only module which will consolidate your learning from Cancer Biology and Therapeutics and Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular and Neuropharmacology. The module will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of current pharmacological challenges in these key disease areas.

Drug abuse concerns the use of particular chemicals for pleasure or reward. Users of these chemicals may become dependent and suffer long term consequences for health and well-being. The scale of drug abuse worldwide affects hundreds of millions of individuals, putting pressure on health and social care resources. In addition, addiction to prescription medication is recognised as a growing concern. In this module you will explore the physiological mechanisms leading to drug addiction, the mechanisms of action and consequences of prolonged drug use, and strategies for detoxification and future avoidance. You will also consider the role of the toxicology laboratory in monitoring prescribed drug therapies and management of accidental or deliberate overdose and ensuring the quality and safety of medication.