LSC-20115 - 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 continue to develop your understanding of the delivery, potency and mode of action of select pharmacological agents, applied specifically in context to selective toxicity. Building from a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which pharmaceutical agents may cause toxicity in cells and relevant cellular defence mechanisms, you will explore how this is applied in the development of drug molecules which display selective and targeted toxicity in the treatment of cancer as well as microbial and viral infection. The need for selective, targeted therapies in the treatment of cancer and the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance are important issues facing society and this module will introduce you to some of the approaches applied in the development of potential new pharmacological agents in these areas. You will also be introduced to the application of pharmacology in agricultural settings, including the mode of action of pesticides and their potential impact on human health and disease. A laboratory report assessment in the module will be based on sessions delivered in LSC-20107 (Practical Skills in Bioscience) and supporting tutorials in this module, where you will develop a more independent, enquiry-based approach, developing skills in experimental design in the form of a mini-project, and further developing skills in the evaluation of primary scientific literature, supporting transition to your level 6 research project.

The module will develop content introduced at level 4 and in the semester 1 level 5 molecular pharmacology module relating to ligand-target binding, pharmacokinetics and treatment of disease. The core content will focus on toxicology and selective toxicity applied in the treatment of acquired diseases including microbial infection, cancer and viral disease. The module will also introduce wider aspects of selective toxicology and poisons, including plant and insect pharmacology, particularly the development and application of pesticides, and their potential impact on human health.

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss the biochemical, metabolic and physiological basis of select cancers and pharmacological approaches to treatment, including traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapy: 2
discuss pharmacological approaches in the treatment of microbial and viral infections and evaluate novel approaches to drug development in these areas, including in relation to antibiotic resistance: 2
explain the mechanisms by which select chemical agents may cause toxicity in cells, including genotoxic and non-genotoxic stress and cellular defence mechanisms: 2
discuss the development and application of pesticides and other agricultural agents, and their potential impact on human health: 2
design and conduct an experimental study, analysing and interpreting data using statistical packages and appropriate statistical tests: 1
communicate the results of an experimental project effectively in written form in the style of a scientific research paper, including appropriate data presentation and evaluation in context to wider literature: 1

Study hours

Active learning hours:
10x 4 hours engagement with asynchronous content (initial consumption, wider guided reading and note-taking)
10x 2 hours workshops and tutorials supporting asynchronous content (application of core content, group discussion and active learning).
4x 2 hours IT sessions and workshops supporting the laboratory report assessment (data analysis and report writing).
Independent study:
12 hours reflecting on laboratory work delivered as part of LSC-20107
30 hours completing laboratory report
38 hours independent study; revision and engagement with wider reading/discussion tasks to support end-of semester assessment
2 hours open-book assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment