• Offered for Year: 2025/26

• Module Leader(s): Dr Christina Elliott
• Lecturer: Dr Simon Wilkinson, Dr Lisa Russell, Dr Sarah Judge, Dr Harley Stevenson-Cocks, Professor Richard McQuade, Dr Scott Walker, Dr Alessio Iannetti, Dr Sasha Gartside, Dr Lindsey Ferrie

• 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.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

1. Introduce students to the fundamental principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

2. Provide students with an understanding of the mechanisms and targets of drug action

3. Relate drug action at the cellular level to overall pharmacological and toxicological effects

4. Provide students with an understanding of drug discovery/development and safety monitoring.

Outline Of Syllabus

The lectures and seminars cover the following topics:

1. Principles of pharmacology: targets for drug action; quantification of drug action; drug disposition; pharmacokinetics, drug development and discovery, drug repositioning.

2. Neurotransmission in the nervous system.

3. Peripheral Nervous System: drugs acting on the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system; pharmacology of asthma treatment; local anaesthetics.

4. Central Nervous System: pharmacology of anti-parkinsonian drugs; antidepressants; drugs of abuse.

5. Drugs and the endocrine system: steroids, drugs used in thyroid dysfunction; sex hormones and oral contraceptives.

6. Drug effects on other systems such as: anti-inflammatories; antihistamines; anticancer drugs; anti-microbials, toxins, poisoning and overdose; adverse drug reactions

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Lectures will define the scope of the course and communicate basic knowledge as a basis for further study.

2. Seminars will encourage students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject and interpersonal communication skills. They provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and exchange ideas in a small group setting. Skills practiced include critical thinking, numeracy, communication & team working.

3. Guided independent study is used for self-directed learning and includes reading lecture notes and texts; advanced preparation for seminars; using learning resources on the internet and VLE. Skills practiced include critical thinking, active learning, numeracy, planning and organisation and independence.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

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.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The end of semester examination assesses knowledge and understanding of the course material.

The formative assessment quiz format questions will support learning by providing an opportunity to help students assess their knowledge and understanding of course material as well as familiarise students with the end of semester exam format.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.

Reading Lists

• PED1003's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• PED1003's Timetable