3rd Year B.Sc. Pharmacology Drugs and Disease 1 module (PM309)
Semester I
Module Coordinator: Professor David Finn, Pharmacology, College of Science
Phone: 091-495280 (or internal ext. 5280)
Email: david.finn@nuigalway.ie
Aim of the course: This 10 ECTs module builds upon the fundamentals of pharmacology taught in
2nd year by introducing and expanding on topics including signalling and molecular pharmacology.
In addition, and in keeping with the increased emphasis in 3rd year on pharmacology applied to
disease, drugs used to treat cardiovascular and endocrine diseases and disorders are covered. The
module is delivered through a combination of lectures, ‘wet’ laboratory practicals and ComputerAided Learning (CAL) sessions. Students taking this module must also take PM311 (Sem I) and
PM310 and PM312 (both in Sem II).
First lecture: Tuesday, 8th September 2015, 9 am in AC216 Lecture Room.
Assessment
Written (80%): Two x 2-hour end of semester written examinations (worth 40% each) on the lecture
course (60%) and on lab practicals (20%)
– Paper 1: Questions on labs plus short answer questions on Mol Pharm and Signalling
(answer all questions)
– Paper 2: CVS and Endocrine lectures (answer 3 out of 4 essay-style questions)
Coursework/Lab Practicals/Workshops (20%): lab Write-ups (15%) and Short MCQs throughout
the semester (5%). MCQs will be held on selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at lecture times
as per timetable below.
Capping: Repeat exam marks will be capped at 40% by the University. Therefore it’s very important
to avoid having to repeat exams.
Course Information
During the year, information will be available on the web via “Blackboard”. You will need to access
this periodically for up-to-date announcements, etc. https://nuigalway.blackboard.com/
Recommended Textbooks
Rang, H.P., Ritter, Flower & Henderson (2015): Pharmacology, 8th edn. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN
9780702053627. This is the main text; each student should have their own copy.
Golan, DE et al., (2011) Principles of Pharmacology 3rd edn. LWW. ISBN 9781608312702
Katzung, BG et al., (2012) Basic and Clinical Pharmacology 12th edn. Lange/Mcgraw Hill. ISBN:
9780071764018.
3rd Year B.Sc. Pharmacology Semester 1 – Drugs and Disease 1 (PM309)
Lecture content
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Introduction, Antihypertensives, diuretics, drugs to treat congestive heart failure and angina,
antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet, fibrinolytic and lipid-lowering drugs.
12 Lectures
Dr. Maura Grealy
Molecular Pharmacology
Basic techniques, gene cloning, Southern, Northern and Western blotting, antibodies, PCR, RT-PCR
gene knockout technology.
5 Lectures
Dr. Maura Grealy
Signalling
Major signalling pathways, cAMP, cGMP, inositol phospholipids, Calcium, MAP kinase, cytokines.
5 Lectures
Dr. Maura Grealy
Endocrine Pharmacology
The use of pharmacological agents to modulate hormonal function: insulin and hypoglycaemic agents
for the treatment of diabetes; contraceptive and profertility drugs; drugs affecting adrenal and thyroid
function; drugs affecting bone metabolism; and pharmacological control of obesity.
10 Lectures
Dr. Conall Dennedy
Week Beginning
th
7 September
14th September
21st September
28th September
5th October
12th October
19th October
26th October
2nd November
9th November
16th November
23rd November
Tuesday
AC216
9.00-10.00
Intro
CVS 4
CVS 7
CVS 10
MCQ 1
CVS
(Pharm
Classroom)
Mol 3
MCQ 2
Molecular
(Pharm
Classroom)
Signal 3
MCQ 3
Signal
(Pharm
Classroom)
Endo 3
Endo 6
Endo 9
Wednesday
Larmor Theatre
(SC002)
9.00-10.00
CVS 2
CVS 5
CVS 8
CVS 11
Mol 1
Friday
AC202
Mol 4
Signal 1
Mol 5
Signal 2
Signal 4
Endo 1
Signal 5
Endo 2
Endo 4
Endo 7
Endo 10
Endo 5
Endo 8
MCQ 4 Endo (Pharm
Classroom)
14.00-15.00
CVS 3
CVS 6
CVS 9
CVS Tutorial
Mol 2
“Wet” Practicals and Workshops
N.B. Assignments handed in after the deadline will not be marked. Extensions will only
be given under exceptional circumstances following consultation in advance with the
Course Coordinator. It is very important not to miss any practicals/seminars/Workshops or
lectures. If you miss a practical through illness, please give a doctor’s cert to the
Departmental secretary, Una Ryan, together with an Absence Form (available on
Blackboard). Sick certs must be handed in within one week of returning from illness.
Please obtain a practical manual from “Print That” on Concourse between 16th and 18th
September. Prof. David Finn is the practical course co-ordinator
David.finn@nuigalway.ie ; ext 5280)
Date
Monday 21st September
Monday 28th September
Monday 5th October
Monday 12th October
Monday 19th October
Monday 2nd November
Monday 9th November
Monday 16th November
Monday 23rd November
Practical
Blood pressure Workshop
CVS II Blood press/heart rate
Molecular Pharmacology 1
Molecular Pharmacology 2
Molecular Pharmacology 3
Molecular Pharmacology 4
Endocrine Pharmacology 1
Endocrine Pharmacology 2
Endocrine Pharmacology 3
Venue
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab
Teaching Lab