Pharmacology BSc

This module explores the pharmacological principles and therapeutic strategies for managing diseases affecting major body systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological infectious, metabolic disorders and immunological diseases. The module will integrate disease pathophysiology with the mechanisms of drug action and clinical implications. You'll develop a critical understanding of challenges in treating complex and evolving disease conditions.

Primary objective of the module

This is a practical module to introduce students to experimental pharmacology, experimental design, data analysis, and how to write a scientific report.

Module Content

Students will carry out a series of practicals and workshops that will be closely tied-in with the lecture material delivered in the other pharmacology modules. Through this module, students will develop their practical skills, as well as their data analysis and scientific writing skills

This module focuses on advancing the key skills Life Science students need for their academic and professional development. Building on foundational training from year 1, you’ll deepen your understanding of experimental design, statistical data analysis, and digital competencies, while continuing to explore ethical standards in research.

You’ll further develop skills in data acquisition and computational techniques, alongside enhancing your ability to critically assess research and scientific literature. A strong emphasis is placed on effectively communicating scientific material. Through practical classes and workshops, you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced techniques essential for a career in the life sciences.

In this module, you'll embark on a comprehensive exploration of the protein life cycle, from translation and folding to action and eventual degradation. You'll learn about the diverse roles of proteins, understanding how their structure enables them to function as enzymes, molecular machines, cellular receptors, ion channels, and transporters, which are key targets in pharmacology. Through selected examples, you'll uncover how proteins drive biological processes such as metabolism and signalling, and how disruptions in protein activity can lead to various diseases.

You'll delve into proteins as therapeutic targets, investigating drug-protein interactions and the use of proteins as industrial tools and therapeutic agents. By the end of this module, you'll grasp the core principles of protein science and understand how these principles underpin vital biological processes. This module will equip you with the knowledge to appreciate the significance of proteins in health and disease, and their applications in biotechnology and medicine.

In this module, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts behind effective drug exposure and the toxicity of drugs and chemicals. You'll learn about the processes that affect the concentration of drugs reaching their targets within the body, such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Additionally, you'll develop basic quantitative skills for estimating and interpreting drug exposure parameters.

The module will also delve into the mechanisms and consequences of drug and non-drug toxicity on various body systems, and how toxicity can be assessed using different methods. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and practical exercises, you'll enhance your analytical and problem-solving skills, preparing you for a career in pharmacology, toxicology, and drug discovery.

This module will teach you the underlying neurophysiology and pathology associated with several common CNS disorders and the neuropharmacology of currently available medication. You will learn about the neurotransmitters and pathways involved in normal brain function and how changes in these contribute to abnormal function. You will also decipher the pharmacological mechanisms of drugs used to treat these CNS disorders. You will cover numerous human diseases including those with great significance such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism.

This module explores the fascinating world of microorganisms, focusing on how bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses survive and thrive as the predominant biomass on Earth. You’ll examine key themes in microbiology, including the discovery and diversity of these organisms, their replication and survival mechanisms, and their ecological roles and interactions. Topics will also cover disease-causing processes such as antibiotic resistance, alongside the beneficial effects of microorganisms, like probiotics and gut microbiota, and their applications in technology and society.

A key feature of the module is its emphasis on experimental techniques, such as genomics, used to study these themes. You’ll also participate in a lab-based practical, applying your knowledge to a specific focus area. This hands-on approach will deepen your understanding of the complex and essential roles microorganisms play in the natural world.

In this module, you’ll examine the intricate connection between human nutrition and physiological function, building on the foundational knowledge from earlier studies. You’ll explore how nutrients shape metabolic processes, influence body systems, and contribute to overall health. This advanced exploration will deepen your understanding of how the body processes and responds to dietary intake and how specific nutrients impact physiological functions. 

You’ll also investigate the role of nutrition in managing health conditions and preventing disease, integrating key concepts from nutrition and physiology. By bridging these areas, the module equips you with the tools to support evidence-based approaches in health and wellness, providing a comprehensive insight into the science behind nutrition’s impact on the human body. 

This module provides you with an introduction to genetics and genomics, bridging classical genetic principles with modern genomic technologies. You’ll gain an understanding of gene structure and function, including aspects of DNA replication, transcription, translation and RNA biology. You’ll also explore the biology relating to inheritance patterns, genetic variation, and the application of genomics in research and health. 

Taught content will illustrate how to analyse the genetic basis of phenotypic variation, evaluate its effects on individuals and populations, and synthesise insights to explain how genetic factors influence traits. Consideration is given to the technological advancements in sequencing, bioinformatics, the ethical considerations surrounding genomic data, and industrial and societal applications.

You will study microbiology, learning about pathogenic microbes including viruses, fungi, parasites and the roles of bacteria in health and disease. You will learn how the body generates immunity; the causes of diseases associated with faulty immune responses will be considered. In applied microbiology you will be introduced to recombinant DNA technology and prokaryotic gene regulation.