ONC8019 : Pharmacology of Chemotherapeutic Agents (E-learning)
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ian Hickson
- Lecturer: Dr David Jamieson
- Owning School: Pharmacy
- Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module explores the concepts underlying the pharmacological principles that govern the use of drugs in the treatment of cancer. The students will gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action and resistance that underlie antitumour effects and toxicities of the drugs to treat cancer.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module includes the following topics:
•Hallmarks of cancer and targets of therapy
•Introduction to chemotherapy
•Principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Anticancer drugs
•Alkylating agents and platinums
•Antimitotics
•Antimetabolites
•Topoisomerase I and II poisons
•Hormonal therapies
•Antibody-based therapies
•Immunotherapy
•Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
•Drug resistance
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 10:00 | 30:00 | Independent assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 12 | 6:00 | 72:00 | Online content |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Skills practice using Personal Capture software |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | eJournal and Discussion board |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 13 | 4:00 | 52:00 | Supplemental reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Through a series of online tutorials (including videos and recapped PowerPoint presentations) as well as private study (including directed reading), students will gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of chemotherapy and pharmacology. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to participate in collaborative learning via the discussion board. Personal development will be encouraged through the use of reflective journal postings, shared only with the module leaders. As the students proceed through the module, they will complete a number of interactive activities that will help to consolidate their understanding of the curriculum. The data compiled will guide their summative assessments.
This will facilitate the development of interpersonal and communication skills as well as team working and peer assessment skills.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | 60 | Recorded power point presentation (maximum 10 minutes) |
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 30 | 60 minute timed online MCQs (Max 1hr - 30 questions) |
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 10 | Participation in collaborative e-learning activities throughout the module. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Weekly MCQ Quiz for each topic |
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 1 minute and 1 slide presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The presentation will require students to demonstrate their understanding of a chosen example of a major classes of chemotherapeutic agents and discuss clinical use, toxicities and mechanisms of resistance. The presentation will assess the students' ability to synthesise data and present information succinctly and in a visual format.
This will consolidate the students’ newly acquired knowledge across the whole range of the module as well as their ability to process information.
Multiple choice questions (formative) will help to promote reflection in students in order to identify areas of strength, weakness or misunderstanding. MCQs (summative) will probe specific points of understanding and knowledge of the students across the module.
Should a student fail the assessment they will have to undertake a re-sit.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ONC8019's Timetable