LSC-30082 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

In this module you will develop higher-level skills in the analysis and evaluation of primary research articles in pharmacology. This will further develop your analytical skills and understanding of a wider range of techniques and approaches used to understand the mechanisms of drug action, pharmacokinetics and ligand-target binding interactions. You will also further develop communication skills in a number of formats, including how the outcomes of primary research can be communicated to specialist audiences as a research poster and to non-specialist audiences in popular science articles and infographics.

This module will further develop students' skills in the critical evaluation and analysis of primary scientific literature in context to current research and development in pharmacology. Students will also develop higher-level skills in the communication of the primary outcomes of pharmacology research to different audiences through the production of i) a research poster related to their level 6 independent research project (and presented at the final year UG research conference linked with LSC-30038/45), and ii) writing a popular science article based on a series of recent research articles in a select area of pharmacology aimed at a non-specialist audience and a supporting infographic.

Intended Learning Outcomes

communicate the purpose, methodology, results and interpretation of experimental investigations, based on the final year research project as a scientific poster: 1
evaluate the outcomes and impact of primary research in an area of pharmacology and communicate this effectively to non-specialist audiences as a popular science article and infographic
: 2
analyse and critically evaluate the context, methodology and results of primary scientific literature in an area of pharmacology: 3

Study hours

Active learning hours:
8 x 2 hour workshops analysing, evaluating and discussing select research articles
4 x 2 hour workshops supporting module assessments, guidance, Q&A
Independent study hours:
7 x 4 hours preparation for workshops
2 hour exam
12 hours poster preparation
30 hours selection of papers and preparation of popular science article
54 hours independent study- analysis of research article and wider reading to support exam

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment