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

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 06 October 2026

LSC-30082 - Research Topics in Pharmacology
Coordinator: Ryan Brown
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

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.

Aims
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 and critical appraisal of the primary outcomes of pharmacology research to different audiences through the production of i) an interactive infographic suitable for a lay audience, and ii) a critical appraisal of an AI-generated essay in terms of its factual correctness and conclusions drawn. The inclusion of digital and AI-related assessments allows the students to utilise, design and critically appraise different digital tools, and to prepare the students for a workplace where digital tools and AI will become commonplace.

Intended Learning Outcomes

communicate scientific content effectively in the form of an interactive infographic that is informative, factually correct but also engaging to a lay audience: 1
evaluate and critically discuss current research topics in pharmacology that investigate disease states, propose novel therapeutics and highlight future challenges
: 1,2
analyse and critically evaluate the factual correctness, context and conclusions of AI-generated content in an area of pharmacology: 2
acquire digital competence in creating content using digital tools and critically appraising pros and cons, as well as advantages and limitations to AI-generated scientific content: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
1 hour module introduction
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
8 x 4 hours preparation for workshops
12 hours infographic preparation
27 hours preparation of critical appraisal
54 hours independent study- analysis of research article and wider reading to support assignments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 30%
Infographic
A digital infographic in the style of an interactive one-slide presentation on a current tropic in Pharmacology, written on an individual basis and to suit a lay audience. The infographic should be designed in the style of a sway, interactive presentation or similar that contains a minimum of three drop-down menus or embedded content and allows for an interactive user experience. Students will choose a disease or therapeutic approach to present in the infographic. This can be based on teaching material or of the students' own choosing. This is a mid-semester assessment and therefore students can chose a topic early on in the semester. To ensure academic integrity, no two students are permitted to chose the same topic. Topic choices need to be submitted to the tutor no later that end of week 4.

2: Assignment weighted 70%
Critical appraisal of AI-generated content
The students will be given an AI-generated essay on a scientific topic relating to the taught content in this module and are required to verify the correctness of the AI-generated content, evaluate the methodological approach and effective presentation of arguments, and effectively critique the conclusions made in the essay. The critical appraisal should be 3,000 words +/- 10% and individually written.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 06 October 2026