This is a core module for Pharmacology and an option for other Life Science degree courses, namely Biological Sciences (Medical Biology route) and Biochemistry.
This module provides an opportunity to learn about the various chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of both infectious and neoplastic disease. Treatments for infectious diseases will cover drugs that have actions on bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, while the neoplastic disease therapy will include a range of different cancers, including both solid and blood cancers. The lectures will focus on the mode of action, side effects and mechanisms of resistance of both antimicrobials and anti-cancer drugs.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The purpose of lectures in this module is to introduce and explain concepts and define the areas of knowledge required. Additional examinable information will be provided on Canvas, for directed reading, and students are strongly advised to keep abreast of the latest developments in antimicrobial and anti-cancer treatments through reading peer-reviewed articles.
Lectures will introduce topics in a logical progression and will be used to provide a sound theoretical background in contemporary understanding of both anti-microbial and anti-cancer agents. The antibiotic lectures will be augmented by practical sessions utilising methods and techniques routinely used in clinical and research settings. Tutorials will allow students to clarify issues arising, and to gain feed-forward experience, from formative-based assessments. These sessions may also be used for tutor-directed learning to develop skills in independent learning and in abstracting scientific information from articles and texts.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 45 one hour lectures 2 x 3 hour practical sessions 10 x 2 hour workshops/tutorials | 71 |
| Guided independent study | Student independent study | 229 |
| Study abroad / placement | ||
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
A three-hour end of module examination worth 50% will require students to answer essay questions which will enable students to demonstrate depth of knowledge and integration of material studied in the course of the module.
There are two summative assessments; the first is linked to the microbiology practical and comprises a written report of results obtained from a laboratory practical class. This practical examines how antimicrobial agents are currently tested within the UK using accredited methods. This assesses students' ability to perform a range of microbiology techniques and their ability in intrepreting data produced in the assays. Secondly, students prepare two abstracts of a current research paper, the first of which is formative and is used to feed forward for the second abstract (summative). The abstract assessment allows student to demonstrate their ability to identify key points within an article and to concisely summarise the findings.
A range of formative assessments are undertaken during workshops, and these provide feed-forward guidance on assessments. The formative assessments include an essay, similar in scope to those in the examination, which are marked and feedback given in a tutorial session. This provides feed-forward guidance for the summative final examination.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Critically analyse the rationale for the choice of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of specific infectious/neoplastic disease. | Abstract coursework (F/S), End of module exam (S) |
| 2. Describe the side effects associated with such use. | End of module exam (S) |
| 3. Discuss the theoretical and practical considerations relating to the usage and testing of chemotherapeutic agents. | End of module exam (S) |
| 4. Discuss the mechanisms thought to be responsible for resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in micro-organisms and cancers. | End of module exam (S) |
| 5. Demonstrate the ability to acquire, evaluate and communicate information from a variety of sources. | Practical report (F/S), End of module exam (S) |
| 6. Perform and evaluate appropriate practical microbiological skills. | Practical report (F/S) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| End-of-year formal examination | Written exam | 50% |
| Practical report | Coursework | 30% |
| Abstract report | Coursework | 20% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
The latest versions of these texts are recommended.
Rang, Dale, Ritter, Flower & Henderson. Rang and Dale's Pharmacology, Churchill Livingston, Oxford.
Chabner & Longo. Cancer Chemotherapy & Biotherapy, Liincott Williams & Wilkins
Fischer et al. The Cancer Chemotherapy Handbook, Mosby
Kalant, Grant & Mitchel. Principles of Medical Pharmacology, Saunders
Murray et al. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, ASM press
Baron S. Medical Microbiology. An online textbook.
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=mmed