MPharm Pharmacy with a Foundation Year / Course details

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
The Patient (Year 3): Pathology, Pharmacology &Therapeutics 2

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHAR30300
Credit rating 30
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
The Medicine (Year 3) - Drug Development Process 2 PHAR30100 Co-Requisite Compulsory
Integrated Research Skills: preparation for 4th year projects and evidence-based practice PHAR30400 Co-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR10100 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR10200 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR10300 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR10400 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR20100 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR20200 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR20300 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR20400 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
The Pharmacist (Year 3): Developing Professional Practice PHAR30200 Co-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR10500 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
PHAR20500 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Yr 3 Integrated Prof Practice PHAR30700 Co-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

  • To develop students’ core knowledge of systems-based physiology and fundamental anatomy.
  • Provide a sound, pharmacological basis to the action of drugs on targets.
  • Develop students’ understanding of the basic principles (pathophysiology) of common disease processes.
  • Develop student’s understanding and application of the principles of rational drug therapy and individualised medicines optimisation.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes

 

 

Teaching and learning methods

 
 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Describe the physiology, anatomy and pathophysiology relevant to endocrine, musculoskeletal and CNS disorders
  • Discuss the principles of pharmacology as they apply to the drugs which interact with targets for the CNS neurotransmitters, and with targets within the musculoskeletal and endocrine systems
  • List the pharmacological properties of each drug group interacting with these targets which are relevant to therapeutic use
  • Discuss the pharmacological management of CNS, musculoskeletal and endocrine disorders with reference to clinical guidelines and how these apply to individual patients according to the principles of medicines optimization
  • Describe the roles of non-pharmacological therapy, over-the counter and prescribed medicines in the management of endocrine, musculoskeletal and CNS disorders

 

 

Intellectual skills

Apply knowledge of anatomy and patho-/physiology, pharmacological principles and therapeutic guidelines to address actual and potential problems with patients’ therapy.

 

 

Practical skills

Demonstrate problem solving, data analysis and presentation skills for the pharmacology laboratory tasks and summative assessment.

 

 

 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Confidently use the BNF to retrieve medicines-related information.

 

Assessment methods

Formative Assessment

A minimum of two sample examination papers with answers are available for students to self-assess across the year (1 per semester).  Students have the opportunity to attempt a mock written examination with feedback session in both semesters 1 and 2 to help aid understanding of unit requirements, develop exam technique, clarify knowledge deficiencies and guide study strategies.

Summative Assessment

Assessment                              Weighting                                                     Equivalent Credits

Semester 1 Exam                      40%                                                             12

Semester 2 Exam                      40%                                                             12

Laboratory Coursework             20% (plus PASS/FAIL component)               6

End of semester examinations

2 x 2 hours; 40% weighting each. Each exam contains:

  • 4 short answer questions [10 marks each, total 40 marks]
  • 2 case study questions [25 marks each, total 50 marks]

Laboratory coursework assessment (semester 1)

  1. Working in small groups, prepare and submit a ‘laboratory clinical study experimental plan’ which will be a Pass/Fail assessment.
  2. Working in these same small groups, prepare and present one academic poster based on laboratory data for summative assessment, with 20% weighting.

All content covered during any laboratory practical classes ran in semester 1 is examinable within the end of semester examination.

Passing the unit

Students must achieve >40% in each of the three components of assessment to pass this unit:

  • Semester 1 exam
  • Semester 2 exam
  • Semester 1 Laboratory poster assessment

Students must also pass the following Pass/Fail components to pass this unit:

  • Submission of a group ‘laboratory experimental plan’ report (semester 1)

 

 

Feedback methods

Students will be encouraged to approach unit leadership with queries relating to unit structure and assessment. Clinical queries can be directed toward specific teaching staff. There will be regular online ‘drop in’ session attended by unit staff, in order to enable students to ask questions about that weeks’ taught materials.

During workshops students will be provided feedback by session leaders on specific cases and learning materials pertaining to those workshops.

During an inter-professional education workshop with nursing students in semester 2, students will receive feedback on their knowledge, decision-making and understanding of their fellow professionals.

Each semester, during the mock examination feedback session students will be provided with model answers and previous answers to support their learning.

Laboratory assessment: during semester 1 student groups will receive feedback on their poster. 

 

 

 

Recommended reading

Please see Blackboard. Recommended reading consists of papers from clinical pharmacy journals, health care reports/guidelines, relevant textbook chapters and BNF chapters. As clinical practice is constantly changing, this material will be reviewed at the start of each semester and to ensure it remains relevant.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 12
Lectures 50
Practical classes & workshops 9
Tutorials 27
Independent study hours
Independent study 202

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Dianne Bell Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Attendance at lectures may be monitored through class interactive activities.

Attendance is monitored using paper or electronic attendance records at the Master Class workshops in semesters 1 and 2, and at the IPE Mental Capacity Act and covert administration workshop in semester 2 and practical labs / workshops.

Students are expected to attend all learning sessions and laboratory classes.

 

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