CHE-30058 - Mechanisms of Drug Action
Coordinator: Theresa R Phillips Room: LJ1.46 Tel: +44 1782 7 33038
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2021/22

The module first follows the pathway of a drug substance through the body, looking at the key areas of pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. This is taught through lectures and problem classes and will be illustrated with topical case studies highlighting recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry.
This is followed by mini-symposia exploring a range of drug classes in which each student prepares and deliver an oral presentation looking in depth into the mechanism of action and pharmaceutical context of a chosen drug molecule.

Aims
To build on an understanding of the fundamental principles of medicinal chemistry and provide a deeper insight into the mode of action of medicines.
To emphasise that medicinal chemistry builds upon core topics in organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry.
To develop analytical, problem solving and organisational skills.
To develop skills in information retrieval and database / literature searching.
To develop communication skills.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-30058/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

compare and contrast different pathways by which a drug molecule can enter the body and the different dosage forms available for each route: 1,2
explain the mechanism of action of different classes of drugs and relate the activity and properties of drug molecules with their structure: 1,2
use appropriate database / literature searching tools to retrieve, compile and critically evaluate information: 2
2
present material compiled from the scientific literature in context and at an appropriate level through the use of slides and verbal communication: 1,2
rationalise the body¿s interaction with drug molecules through the application of pharmacokinetic concepts and mechanistic explanations of metabolism:

Study hours

Delivered content and interactive sessions: 12 hours
Mini-symposia: 12 hours
Coursework support sessions: 6 hours
Independent study and assessment prep: 120 hours


School Rules

Successful completion of CHE-20081 - Principles of Drug Design (or equivalent)

Description of Module Assessment

1: Problem Sheets weighted 25%
Problem Sheet
Problem solving questions (equivalent to ~1250 words effort) assessing students ability to apply and synthesise ideas from the taught content to the design, evaluation and delivery of drug molecules.

2: Practice Based Assessment weighted 75%
Drug Action Portfolio
A portfolio equivalent to 3000 words of oral and written coursework tasks exploring the medicinal chemistry of drugs selected from different classes. Students will be assessed on the quality of the presented information, prepared materials and their delivery.