BMD2005 : Factors affecting Pharmacokinetics and Drug Disposition (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Simon Wilkinson
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Lindi Chen
- Lecturer: Dr Christina Elliott, Dr Shelby Barnett
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City 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 aims of the module are to:
(i) Provide an understanding how drugs are handled by the body, the factors that may influence this process and how drug metabolism is studied experimentally making distinctions between traditional “small” molecule drugs, biologics and biosimilars.
(ii) Provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the role of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, pharmacokinetics including the enzymes involved in drug metabolism, and how these can be impacted by genetic factors.
(iii) Introduce students to experimental approaches, along with the latest methodologies, used in drug metabolism studies, and to develop their practical, critical and written communication skills. This will equip students with an appreciation of the role of approaches such as metabolite profiling and reaction phenotyping as part of drug disposition studies, and importantly how these are essential parameters used in the continued development of novel drugs .
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will cover drug disposition, the role of individual enzymes systems in drug metabolism, factors affecting drug metabolism, and the transport and excretion of drug metabolites This will include the principles of drug administration (including the influence of different delivery systems ), how these processes impact on the distribution and targeting of drugs , and how many of these processes are modulated by external factors, including the influence of genetic polymorphisms on drug efficacy and toxicity , experimental methods for reaction phenotyping employed in drug development.
Exemplar techniques for measuring key metabolic activities, the induction of enzyme activities and the detection of genetic polymorphisms in enzymes and the functional consequences of polymorphisms for drug metabolism and transport into and out of tissues and organs will be detailed , in addition to how these parameters differ when understanding the disposition of traditional small molecule drugs versus large molecules such as monoclonal antibodies for example
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 19 | 1:00 | 19:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Data interpretation and handling exercise |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Laboratory or non-laboratory practical sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Seminars with problem solving activities |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Data Handling and statistical analysis |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module summary, feedback, Q and A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 161:00 | 161:00 | Independent study |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introduction to module, learning outcomes, assessments |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will impart new information regarding fundamental principles of drug disposition and will act as indicators of the scope of material required for guided independent study.
Seminars will reinforce taught material and will provide an opportunity for students to clarify concepts or challenge their learning through peer and/or staff discussions, as well as developing scientific writing skills, laboratory record keeping and statistical analysis.
The workshop will provide “real time” experience of data handling and interpretation of an authentic task in drug discovery and will act as a formative preparation for data handling during the summative report.
The drop-in surgery will provide critical feedback on assessed material and encourage an increased understanding of the material through discussion.
The practical classes will provide experience in performing fundamental techniques, recording and analysing data to support the core module knowledge as well as the opportunity to carry out scientific calculations and statistical analysis, and write a report in the form of a short communication.
Guided independent study will be used for self-directed learning, including further reading and preparation for assessments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 25 | Two-part exam: Part 1: Invigilated Inspera Quiz. 50 questions maximum. To be scheduled together with the written exam (part 2). Inspera to remain open for duration of the exam (120 min total). |
| Written Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 35 | Two-part exam: Part 2: Invigilated written exam. SAQs (10 questions maximum). To be scheduled together with part 1 digital exam. Inspera to remain open for the exam (120 min total) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Practical lab report including data analysis element. Maximum 1500 words, take home. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | Preparation and feedback for summative assessment, maximum 1000 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination questions will be used to assess knowledge, independent learning and understanding of the material relevant to this module, the ability to integrate this material, the ability to communicate clearly in writing and ability for critical thought and problem solving.
The practical report ensures an understanding of practical work undertaken and provides practice in numerical calculations, as well as preparation for future assessments such as the project dissertation. The formative assessment provides practice focussed on data analysis and interpretation and the opportunity to gain feedback in completing an effective scientific report.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD2005's Timetable