This is an introductory course to lay the foundation for understanding basic concepts in Pharmacology and the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. Find out more!
Pharmacology is the study of how medicines work in health and disease in Humans and animals. Pharmacology is therefore the basis of therapeutics and of fundamental importance to medical sciences in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Optometry and other biomedical related disciplines including basic and clinical research. This is an introductory course to lay the foundation for understanding basic concepts in Pharmacology and the pharmacological basis of therapeutics.
Course Objectives:
- To understand the basic concepts in pharmacology and the pharmacological basis of therapeutics.
- To introduce students to the core principles of drug action in terms of bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and mechanism of action of drugs in the treatment of diseases.
- To introduce students to understanding drug efficacy, side effects, toxicities, drug interactions and special emphasis on dosage concerns in special populations such as the young, pregnant women and in the elderly.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic pharmacological principles and mechanism of action and classification of drugs.
- Students will be able to communicate clearly, and in an organized fashion, in writiten form.
- Students will become familiar with the therapeutic effects, efficacies, side effects, toxicities and drug interactions.
Topical Outline and Course Content:
Part 1: Introduction to Basic Concepts in Pharmacology
Drug classification, dosage, mechanism of drug action, Central nervous system (CNS) acting drugs, Mental and neurological disorders
Part 2: General principles of drug action
Tour of Mouse laboratory and Mouse Models of human diseases, Advances in immunology and virology, Immune system as therapeutic target
Part 2: General principles of drug action (ctd.)
Endocrine system, adrenal steroids, and contraceptives, Gender and ethnic differences in human disorders
Part 3: Addiction and antiepileptic drugs
Neurobiology of drug addiction, Local and general anesthetic agents
Part 4: Future of Medicine
Autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, Genomic and epigenetic basis for disease
Course will run using Blackboard. Students who register will be emailed with a username and password based on the information given in the registration.
Technology & Lab Fees Included
