Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LM Molecular and Integrative Pharmacology: from molecules to man
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Biomedical Sciences
Module Code	02 38642
Module Lead	Dr Keith Brain and Dr Alex Conner
Level	Masters Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites	LI Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Pharmacology - (02 30821) LC Foundation of Pharmacology - (02 33661)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-1 hours Seminar-17 hours Tutorial-4 hours Practical Classes and workshops-16 hours Guided independent study-162 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module aims to develop the students understanding of both modern receptor pharmacology and of the need to use tissues and animals (including humans) in drug research and development. There is a particular emphasis on the experimental approaches used and the interpretation of experimental evidence. It builds on core knowledge from undergraduate training, to expose students to the techniques and approaches used in research, developed primarily through seminars with researchers who are using those techniques.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of studying the effects of drugs at the molecular, intact tissue and whole body levels Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the structure and function of some of the major classes of receptors Demonstrate an understanding of how the signals from various receptor systems may be integrated at a cellular level to produce a co-ordinated response Demonstrate an understanding of the potential impact of pharmacokinetics, adaptive reflexes and homeostatic mechanisms on the effects of drugs in different experimental systems Critically evaluate the issues involved in developing animal paradigms of human disease states Critically evaluate the experimental techniques involved in current research in molecular pharmacology and the variety of methods which may be employed to study the action of drugs in vivo
Assessment	38642-01 : Overall Module Mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: The module is assessed by a combination of a written examination and course work: Examination 50% (Semester 1) Course Work 50% (Semester 1) The course work component will include the following: Written Experimental Interpretation: this will usually consist of the writeup of a laboratory practical (2500 words). The examination will consist of a choice of 2 from 4 DIQ/Essay (2 hours, unseen) Reassessment: It is a requirement that students achieve a mark of at least 45% in their summative exam. Overall Pass mark for the module is 50%. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme.  Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module.  Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes. Student will be required to repeat any failed component of the module. For the ICA, an alternative written task based on ‘written experimental interpretation’ will be set; this will be a data set related to module content, usually the practical. In the event of failure in a module students will have a further opportunity to retrieve lost credit and the mark capped at the pass mark at the next available opportunity.
Other
Reading List