PM1KSP: Key Skills for Pharmacology

Module code: PM1KSP

Module provider: Pharmacy; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Silvia Amadesi, email: s.amadesi@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PM1PDA AND TAKE PM1MSP (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module builds on complementary or co-requisite modules to develop expertise and knowledge on core laboratory and generic study skills. This module will also support you to further develop your ability to conduct pharmacological research.

You will apply pharmacology knowledge and skills to solve pharmacological problems. You will learn how to identify, extract and critically evaluate information from appropriate and reliable sources. You will develop your knowledge and abilities on the theoretical and practical uses of in vivo and in vitro techniques through simulated and hands-on experimentations. You will learn about experimental design in respect of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) principles, and gain further experience on the use of quantitative methods to collect, process, analyse and present research findings.

The skills and knowledge developed here are essential to undertake practical and workshop exercises in later modules, including the Research Project.

This module aims to:

1. Support students to start developing fundamental experimental knowledge skills including safe laboratory practice, and ability to undertake pharmacological research
2. Provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for both in vitro and in vivo approaches to experimental pharmacology
3. Provide opportunities for students to apply and strengthen theoretical and practical knowledge gained in complementary and co-requisite modules in the performance of key pharmacological techniques, use of analytical techniques, interpretation of data generated and dissemination of research findings
4. Support students to develop an evidence-based approach to in vitro and in vivo research, also in respect to ethical principles for pharmacology research in respect to 3Rs principles and animal welfare regulation

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the major in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches used in drug discovery and characterisation
2. Carry out laboratory procedures using in vitro approaches to measure drug responses
3. Explain in vivo procedures and animal models of diseases and their possible application in pharmacological research
4. Carry out scientific calculations relevant to pharmacology
5. Effectively communicate in written form the details of researchers’ findings

Module content

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops will introduce students to:

• In vitro and in vivo procedures, including animal models used to study diseases, used in pharmacological research to characterise and test the safety of drugs.
• How in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies are planned and designed for drug discovery.
• How new medicines are developed.
• How to search and use available literature and appropriate information sources to research a project or solve more complex pharmacological problems including planning and designing experiments for drug discovery.

Practicals, workshops, online learning platform-base exercises and videos will provide students with core knowledge and skills for research in pharmacology and for study skills through:

• Using basic laboratory techniques and instrumentation analyse and discuss the use of in vitro and in vivo procedures including animal models to study diseases, develop new medicines and treatments and test the safety of new medicines and treatments.
• Carry out laboratory procedures using an in-vitro approach to measure drug responses and characterise molecules.
• Use word processors, spreadsheets and databases to manage, analyse and present practical data and concepts related to pharmacology.
• Communicate in written form the details of own research.
• Simulations and practical experience of a range of practical techniques and safe laboratory practice aimed to understand how drugs are characterised, how drug responses are assessed and analysed. 

Students will also develop the following: 

• Working in small groups in practical classes and workshops, and engaging in multidisciplinary team-based work, students will develop self-learning, time management & communication skills including: improving team-working skills, leadership; motivating and working with others; identifying the learning and development needs of team members through coaching and feedback; and communicating effectively within a team and with a wider audience. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course content will be provided through a mixture of formal lectures, interactive workshops using , online learning platform-base exercises or appropriate case studies, and inter-professional learning activities including seminars delivered by specialised pharmaceutical industry professionals, supported by tutorial sessions.

Teaching and learning will be the use of the online learning platform AD Instrument Lab Tutor hardware and software. Supplementary information and a reading list will be provided by the lecturers and the available facilities for computer-aided literature searching for related material will enable students to improve independent-learning skills.

Workshops and exercises associated with the module will reinforce fundamental concepts of pharmacology that underpin therapeutics and pharmaceutics areas.

Study hours

At least 50 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is provided through small group tutorials and workshops, instructor-, self-, and peer-led assessment and feedback. Worked examples and case studies encountered in tutorials will provide the opportunity for formative feedback from staff and peers as well as self-reflection.

Reassessment

Additional costs