University of the
West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJNG-20-2 Title: Drugs and Toxicology Version:
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:
Faculty Committee approval: Quality and Standards Committee Date: July 2010
Approved for Delivery by: N/A
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Entry Requirements:
N/A
Excluded Combinations:
Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
-understand the range and variation of toxic materials, and of their occurrence and possible routes of entry into the body;
-describe the sources, development, formulation, control and administration of drugs, poisons and toxic materials;
-discuss the significance of chemical properties and concentration gradients of drugs and poisons to absorption, distribution biotransformation and excretion (i.e. pharmacokinetics);
-discuss the principles of selective toxicity and how they are exploited during the use of cytotoxic agents and antibiotics;
-explain the effects of toxic materials on body systems;
-describe the principles of identification and quantification of toxic materials in biological samples.
Syllabus Outline:
The syllabus is broadly divided into three parts:
What chemical substances are poisonous?
Origins, types and components of poisons and pharmaceuticals. The science underlying drug delivery and formulation. Routes of exposure and administration of drugs and poisons.
The principles of pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics. Metabolism of drugs and toxins - absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion.
The principles and introduction to the practice of identification and quantification of drugs and poisons in biological fluids. Consideration of interferences and interpretation issues relating for forensic toxicology.
The fundamental concepts of molecular biology and molecular genetics and their impact upon drug discovery, development and toxicology.
The metabolic, pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile of a drug.
Selective Toxicity. The concept of selective toxicity and the mechanisms by which drugs achieve selectively toxic effects through exploitation of comparative distribution, comparative biochemistry and comparative cytology.
Genotoxic Agents. The fundamentals of the mechanisms of cell proliferation and an outline of the role of normal, disordered and altered gene function in diseases including the leukaemias and solid tumours.
Synergy and antagonism between chemicals within the body.
The principles and introduction to the practice of identification and quantification of drugs and poisons in biological fluids. Consideration of interferences and interpretation issues relating for forensic toxicology.
The foundation principles and mechanisms of toxicology in relation to drug safety evaluation.
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Material will be delivered through lectures (supported by in-house resources via Blackboard) and workshops which engage learners in data handling and interpretation.
Reading Strategy:
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
Indicative Reading List:
Books: Core texts:
Johll, M (2008): Investigating Chemistry: A forensic Science Perspective. WH Freeman.
Moynihan, H., & Crean, A. (2009). The Physicochemical Basis of Pharmaceuticals, Oxford Press.
Timbrell, J (2002) Introduction to Toxicology. 3rd Ed. CRC
Timbrell, J (2000) Principles of Biochemical Toxicology. 3rd Ed. CRC
The above two books are available in electronic format free of charge through the library.
Selected directed reading from the following:
Zedeck, B.E. and Zedeck, M.S. (2007) Forensic Pharmacology. Chelsea House
Stripp, R.A. (2007) The Forensic Aspects of Poisons. Chelsea House
Neal, M.J. (2005) Medical Pharmacology at a Glance. 5th Ed. Blackwell Publishing
Dale, M.M. and Haylett, D.G. (2004) Pharmacology Condensed. Churchill Livingstone.
Rang, H.P., Dale, M.M., Ritter, J.M. and Moore, P.K. (2003) Pharmacology, 5th Ed., Churchill Livingstone
Relevant chapters in the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, J A Siegal (Editor in chief) (2000) Academic Press (available online) and Simpson’s Forensic Medicine 12th Edition (2003) by R Shepherd, Hodder Arnold.
Assessment:
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
FIRST ATTEMPT
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EX1 |
1 | ||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
2 | ||
CW2 |
Case Study |
1 | |
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) further attendance at taught classes
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EX1 |
|||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
2 | ||
CW2 |
Case Study |
1 | |
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)