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SL20028: Pharmacology of the central nervous system (PA20023)

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • PA20023 Examination (EX 100% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Students on Natural Sciences programmes must take PA10315 before taking this module
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit, the student will:
1. have a working knowledge and critical understanding of the fundamental properties of synaptic transmitters and pathways in the CNS
2. be able to explain the possible aetiology and pathology of major disease states affecting the brain
3. have a critical understanding of the mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses of the major classes of centrally acting drugs.


Aims: To develop a knowledge of physiology, pathology and pharmacology of the central nervous system (CNS) and an understanding of the underlying concepts of the action of drugs on the CNS.

Skills: Scientific and practical skills (T/F/A)
Study skills, handling information, working with others (T/F)
Oral communication skills (T/F)
Problem solving (T/F).

Content: Physiology, pathology and pharmacology of the brain. The essential neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the normal brain will be examined in depth. The pathology and aetiology of major neurological and psychiatric disorders will be described and the major groups of centrally-acting drugs will be discussed in terms of mechanism of action and therapeutic uses.

Course availability:

SL20028 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biochemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Biology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Pharmacology with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Pharmacology (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Pharmacology with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM04 : MPharmacol(Hons) Pharmacology with Year long work placement (Year 2)

SL20028 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.