Pharmacology

Arrangement for distance learning

The introduction, laboratory sessions, and all examinations take place on Campus Solna. There are also mandatory online teaching components. Please check the schedule for exact dates.

To support learning during the course, the following teacher-led or teacher-supported resources are provided: lectures, human laboratory sessions, and group exercises focused on problem-solving. The teacher-led resources are delivered remotely, except for the human laboratory sessions, which take place on Campus Solna. Learning activities in the distance teaching include pre-recorded lectures, live digital lectures, discussion forums with individual contributions via the learning platform Canvas, practice quizzes, and peer-to-peer learning. A scientific approach (for example, analytical and critical thinking regarding research data) is practiced during the human laboratory sessions, where reflection and discussion of results are presented in writing as a laboratory report. Non-teacher-led studies consist of preparatory literature studies, reflection, and reading, both individually and in groups.

Apply for Pharmacology, 15.0 Credits

Selection

Upper secondary school grades (34% of the seats), the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test – Högskoleprovet (34% of the seats), number of credits (1-165 credits, 32% of the seats)

Pharmacology

Farmakologi

Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding:
The student will after the course be able to account for:
-The desteny of a drug in the organism (absorption, distribution, metabolism and secretion) and to be familiar with basic pharmacokinetic concepts.
- The effects of drugs molecular/cellular level as well as organic and integrative level
- Principles for the effects of drugs at the molecular/cellular level, as well as at the organ level and the integrative level.
- The most important therapeutic effects and side effects and the main modes of action for agents in different pharmaceutical groups.
- Mechanisms behind the development of tolerance and dependence.
- Drugs and other substances that are particularly often abused.
- Mechanisms for drug interactions.
- Mechanisms (genetic, age related, disease related etc) for individual variations in drugs' effects and pharmacokinetics.

Skills:
Both orally and by writing be able to describe the fundamental pharmacological principles and how drugs affect the body.

Content

The course is divided in three parts.

General principles in pharmacology, 3.0 hp

Grading scale: GU

General pharmacology with receptor pharmacology and neurotransmission and neuropsychopharmacology. Principles for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, secretion and pharmacokinetic fundamental concepts. The receptor concept, dose response, receptor-effector coupling. Basic pharmacological points of attack on neurotransmission, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, neuropsychotropic drugs, agents in neurodegenerative diseases and anti-convulsants etc. The teaching is given in the form of blocks within various fields of therapy with lectures, group exercises with problem-solving and laboratory sessions.

Drugs affecting major organs - their mode of actions, 3.0 hp

Grading scale: GU

The most important therapeutic effects and side effects and the main modes of action for agents in different pharmaceutical groups. Cardiovascular pharmacology (means at congestive heart failure, means at ischemic heart-disease, antihypertensive means etc), means at koagulationsstörning, the pharmacology of the respiratory organs, the pharmacology of the gastrointestinal canal, analgesics, anti-inflammatory means, diuretics, endocrine pharmacology and antibiotics, transplantation - and immunopharmacology and cytostatic agent.

Integration, 9.0 hp

Grading scale: VU

Integration of theoretical and practical knowledge that has been provided during all parts of the course.

Teaching methods

The introduction and all exams and laboratory work take place on Campus Solna. To support learning during the course, the following teacher-led / teacher-supported resources are provided: lectures, human labs, and group exercises with problem-solving. The teacher-led resources will be distance learning, with the exception of the human laboratories that take place on Campus Solna. Distance learning activities include pre-recorded lectures, digital lectures, discussion forums with individual posts via the learning platform, practice quizzes, and peer-to-peer learning. A scientific approach (for example analytical and critical thinking about research data) is trained during human laboratories where reflection and discussion of results are presented as a laboratory report.
The course also includes a number of occasions where "effective feedback" is trained (eg self-assessment and peer assessment) which develops the ability to handle information and use it to improve work and learning strategies.
Non-teacher-led studies will be used for preparatory literature studies,reflection, and reading, both individually and in groups.

Examination

Part 1: Oral Test 1 (Fail/Pass).

Part 2: Oral Test 2 (Fail/Pass).

Part 3: Written Examination (Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction). Admission to Part 3 requires that Oral Test 1 and Oral Test 2 are passed.

To pass the course (grade Pass or higher), all course modules must be passed. To receive Pass with Distinction for the course, the grade Pass with Distinction is required on Part 3.

Mandatory Participation

Participation in laboratory sessions and group exercises is compulsory. The examiner decides if, and in what way, absence from compulsory course components can be compensated. Until the student has participated in the compulsory components or made up for absence in accordance with the examiner’s instructions, the study results cannot be finally reported. Absence from a compulsory component may mean that the student cannot make up the occasion until the next time the course is offered.

Transitional provisions

The examination will be provided during a period of two years after a close-down of the course. Examination may take place under a previous reading list during a period of one year after the date of the renewal of the reading list.

Other directives

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.

Language of instruction: Swedish. Teaching and presentations can occur in English.