This unit provides an introduction to the study of pharmacology. Four important areas of pharmacology are covered: (1) an introduction to drugs and medicines; pharmacotherapy and the legal and ethical foundations of pharmacotherapy; (2) the principles of pharmacology-pharmacodynamics: the molecular aspects of drug action and fundamental concepts of drug-target interactions, receptor families and signalling pathways; (3) the principles of pharmacology-pharmacokinetics and routes of administration and (4) Drugs affecting the peripheral nervous system - an overview of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.