BMD3020 : Neuropharmacology (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sarah Judge
- Co-Module Leader: Professor Andrew Trevelyan
- Lecturer: Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Lindsey Ferrie, Dr Christina Elliott, Dr Gavin Clowry, Dr Fiona LeBeau
- 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
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of:
1) The neurochemical, morphological and functional basis of a range of disorders of the human nervous system.
2) The mechanisms of action of past, current and future pyschoactive drugs.
3) The research methodologies used to investigate the biological basis of nervous system disorders, and the
mechanisms of action underlying the therapeutic and adverse effects of psychoactive drugs.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics included in this module may be:
1) Pathologies of a range of disorders of the nervous system which may include neuropsychiatric disorders e.g. depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders, neurological disorders e.g. epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's disease.
2) Pharmacological agents used to treat the disorders that have been covered e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics and cholinesterase inhibitors. The known and theoretical mechanisms of action of the drug underlying their therapeutic effects and their adverse effects.
3) Novel drugs and future drug development areas for more advanced and effective neuropharmacological treatments.
4) Research methodologies and models used to investigate the nervous system disorder pathologies, and the mechanisms of action underlying the therapeutic and adverse effects of psychoactive drugs.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 13 | 1:00 | 13:00 | Core module knowledge lectures including module introduction lecture |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Subject specific seminars including primary literature interpretation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 13 | 2:00 | 26:00 | Post lecture recommended reading |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Subject specific seminars pre-work |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Feedback and reflection workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Collaborative work activities including oral presentations and peer critical appraisal in PC clusters |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 137 | 1:00 | 137:00 | Independent reading and assessment preparation |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will form the basis of a student’s understanding of a subject.
Subject specific seminars / small group teaching will encourage contextualisation of the lecture material through discussion, Q&As, and critical evaluation and interpretation of subject relevant neuropharmacological papers.
Workshops will allow advancement of teamwork, communication, critical appraisal and reflective skills. Students will address neuropharmacological problems, design presentations to communicate solutions, critically appraise peer work and reflect on feedback to further develop solutions.
Independent study will allow students to extend their knowledge and prepare for assessments through consolidation of module content, reading of books, journal articles and other recommended references.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 1 | M | 40 | Critical appraisal of peers proposal (750 words) |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 60 | Independent Grant proposal including reflection on initial proposal (2000 words) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Group audio/visual presentation to pitch initial proposal (10 minutes). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Group audio/visual presentation will be used to assess if students have met
S4. Communicate complex information in the written and audio/visual format.
S5. Collaborate with peers to address neuropharmacological problems.
Plus all 4 knowledge outcomes
Peer critical appraisal will be used to assess if students have met
S1. Critically evaluate complex neuropharmacological information.
Plus all 4 knowledge outcomes
Grant proposal will be used to assess if students have met
S1. Critically evaluate complex neuropharmacological information.
S2. Apply knowledge and reasoning to address neuropharmacological problems.
S3. Design neuropharmacological investigations using appropriate methodologies and models.
S4. Communicate complex information in the written and audio/visual format.
S6. Reflect on and respond to feedback to further develop ideas to address neuropharmacological problems.
Plus all 4 knowledge outcomes
Group abstract of initial proposal (formative) will be used to reflect on to demonstrate development in the grant proposal.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD3020's Timetable