LSC-20113 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

In this module you will explore the specialisation and interdependence of metabolism within the body, exploring the issues surrounding the changes in metabolism associated with inherited and acquired disease (including hypertension, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease). You will explore key aspects of metabolic regulation and the underlying pathophysiology of select diseases/conditions, with a focus on how these can be investigated experimentally and modified through relevant pharmacological approaches. As part of this, you will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in drug development and mode of action, introduced at level 4. You will explore, in more detail, experimental methods for the investigation of relevant areas of pharmacology, including in vitro and in vivo models applied in drug development and the quantitative analysis of drug-receptor interactions. You will also develop further communication and teamwork skills through tutorials and workshops, which will include active group discussion sessions using selected case examples supporting the core module content. The application of bioinformatic tools and other online databases in drug development will also be introduced, developing core concepts as a foundation for your further study in pharmacology in other areas of the course.

The module will develop core concepts introduced at level 4 in physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and pharmacology to discuss selected metabolic and pathophysiological processes in the body and their modification using relevant pharmacological approaches, relating to cardio-metabolic and renal disease. Specific examples of drug/ligands and their target binding/molecular interactions will be explored, including expanding core knowledge of pharmacokinetics (ADMETox), as appropriate. The module will further develop key skills in critical appraisal of scientific literature and develop a deeper understanding of relevant in vitro and in vivo research methods and model systems applied in pharmacology and drug discovery.

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss core concepts in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and their application to drug delivery, potency and selectivity in the treatment of cardio-metabolic disease: 1,2,3
explain the role of hormones in the integration and regulation of metabolism, the maintenance of whole body homeostasis and development of select pathologies: 3
discuss the metabolic basis for hypertension, select metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction, their associated pathophysiology and mode of action of relevant pharmacological therapies: 2,3
use bioinformatics tools to evaluate and predict pharmacological and toxicological profiles of potential drugs: 1,2
design and plan in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the pharmacological profile of a drug: 2
locate and retrieve information from scientific literature, and present and communicate scientific content effectively in written and visual form to different audiences: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
9 x 8 hours engagement with weekly asynchronous resources (initial consumption, wider reading and note-taking)
9 x 2 hours workshops/tutorials supporting asynchronous materials
8 x 1 hour case-based learning sessions
3 x 3 hour IT workshops- bioinformatics/prediction tools
3x 2 hours tutorials supporting module assessments
1x 3 hours poster session
8 x 3 hours preparation for case-based learning sessions
Independent study:
35 hours preparation of poster assessment
55 hours preparation of study proposal
68 hours independent study and preparation for exam
2 hours completion of invigilated exam

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment