- Academic Registry
Course & Unit Catalogues


SL22052: Drug discovery and experimental pharmacology

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWOG 40%, CWRI 60%
Assessment Detail:
  • Group Presentation (CWOG 40%)
  • Laboratory Report (CWRI 60%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Students taking this unit must be familiar with the concepts of Receptor Pharmacology (self-study material provided)
Learning Outcomes: After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to:
  • Describe the different stages of the drug discovery process and draw on a range of examples of agents at different stages of development.
  • Evaluate the importance of each stage and appreciate the challenges which arise in the development of novel therapeutic agents.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of current developments in drug discovery programmes within the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Perform simple pharmacological in vitro experiments.
  • Develop your analytical, written and presentation skills through the production of a laboratory report and group presentation.



Synopsis: "Demonstrate an appreciation of current developments and challenges in drug discovery. Develop an appreciation of the ethical frameworks associated with medical research, preclinical and clinical studies. Conduct practical investigations using pharmacological methods to generate, analyse and present pharmacological data in an appropriate scientific style. "

Content: The unit comprises a series of lectures and laboratory classes focusing on the preclinical and clinical stages of the drug discovery process. Each will consider the techniques and approaches involved, models used and challenges and limitations of the process. Students will give a group presentation on the development of a given drug candidate and carry out a practical investigation of drug action.

Course availability:

SL22052 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)

SL22052 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • 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.