Practical Drug Discovery
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR4031 | Pharmacy | 4 | 40 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- PHAR4031
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 40
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This module provides an experience of some contemporary elements of drug discovery. Alongside the practical elements, lectures provide the theoretical basis for quantitation and in silico prediction of ligand binding, target function and the assessment of drug effects, as well as theoretical underpinning of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
Target Students
MSc Drug Discovery and MSc Drug Discovery with Industrial Training (2 year).
Classes
The module aims to provide students with first-hand research experience and insights into practical drug discovery. Literature searching skills will be developed whilst carrying out a critical review of the literature to provide a context for the practical work. Estimated total 400 hours.
Assessment
- 25% Coursework 1: Computational chemistry
- 20% Coursework 2: Practical reports in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
- 25% Coursework 3: Report - Analytical Chemistry
- 10% Exam 1 (1-hour): Electronic exam - quantitative pharmacodynamics
- 10% Exam 1 (1-hour): Electronic exam - quantitative pharmacodynamics
- 20% Exam 2 (2-hour): Electronic exam - quantitative pharmacokinetics
- 20% Exam 2 (2-hour): Electronic exam - quantitative pharmacokinetics
Assessed in both autumn & spring semest
Educational Aims
By the end of this module, students should be able to: Read, consolidate and contextualize information from scientific journals or reference material. Make confident use of library resources, both in the paper and electronic media. Search the available scientific literature or databases for useful and relevant information. Carry out critical analysis and evaluation of published scientific literature. Contribute to the design and execution of data gathering-and-analysis, based in laboratories or elsewhere. Develop strong problem-solving skills. Carry out critical analysis and evaluation of data. Develop high quality generic communication and time management skills. Competently describe and defend the work in an oral communication. Present the literature and research work in the form of a concise scientific report.Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student will be able to:
CC1.1 critically evaluate modern and historic approaches to drug discovery, demonstrating awareness of the future development of the subject
CC1.2 critically evaluate scientific literature and communicate scientific data
CC1.3 critically evaluate and employ techniques applicable to advanced scholarship in the study of drug discovery
CC1.4 critically evaluate modern research methodologies, developing hypotheses as appropriate
CC1.7 execute a research project, employing appropriate experimental methodologies and reporting results in the context of currently-perceived knowledge and understanding
CC2.1 exercise the skills of critical reasoning in relation to the application of core scientific disciplines in the drug discovery process
CC2.2 identify, collect, analyse, understand, appraise and prioritise different sources of information; recognising their limitations (including appropriate aspects of information technology and interpretation of information through statistical methods)
CC2.3 apply rigour in scientific and research method pertinent to drug discovery through independent study and a research project
CC3.1 work safely in a laboratory, undertaking progressively more advanced laboratory-based studies based on competence in techniques appropriate to drug discovery & pharmaceutical sciences
CC3.2 organise and implement a programme of self-directed learning through reflective study
CC3.3 operate and collaborate in a team in order to solve problems of a theoretical or practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions
CC3.4 communicate through multiple modalities (oral presentation, poster and written material) to specialist and to non-specialist audiences
Conveners
- Dr James Beswick
- Dr Stephen Paul Hilary Alexander