Basics of Pharmacology (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student is able to
- define and use pharmacological terms
- define various dosage forms and explain different routes of drug administration
- explain the phases of drug metabolism and the effects of drugs to the body
- describe the main side effects and interactions with other drugs
- describe the classes of medicine, most common drugs and toxicants, whose use involves concentration measurements and intoxication studies
- perform calculations needed in pharmacotherapy

Content (course unit)

Pharmacological terms
The mechanisms of drug action, receptors
Dose and response
Dosage forms and routes of drug administration
Pharmacokinetics
Basics of toxicology
Side and adverse effects and drug interactions
The classes of medicine and drugs, which involve laboratory tests
Medical calculations

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is able to describe the concepts of drug, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and knows the main principles of drug therapy. Student knows the main features of principles by which the pharmaceutical products and chemical substances affect the body and by which the body processes them. The student understands the concepts of adverse effects and drug interactions. The student knows the basics of drug analytics and is able to list drug groups, the most common drugs and poisonous substances, which are associated with concentration measurements in laboratory. The student is able to perform the required medical calculations.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to explain the main terminology of pharmacology and toxicology. The student knows the principles, by which the pharmaceutical products and chemical substances affect the body and by which the body processes them. The student can explain the main mechanisms of adverse effects and drug interactions. The student knows the basics of drug analytics and is able to list drug groups, the most common drugs and poisonous substances, which are associated with concentration measurements in laboratory. The student is able to perform the required medical calculations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is able to fluently use the main terminology of pharmacology and toxicology and drug therapy. The student can explain how the pharmaceutical products and chemical substances affect the body and how the body processes them. The student can explain the most important adverse effects and drug interactions and knows their mechanisms. The student can explain the features and methodology of drug analytics and is able to list drug groups, the most common drugs and poisonous substances, which are associated with concentration measurements in laboratory. The student is able to apply his/her knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology in performing drug monitoring and toxicology measurements. The student is able to perform the required medical calculations.

Location and time

2. periodi

Exam schedules

Kurssin suoritus koostuu viikkotehtävistä, ryhmätyöstä ja lääkelaskutentistä.

Viikkotehtävien painoarvo on 70% arvosanasta. Viikkotehtävät arvioidaan asteikolla 0-5 yhtenä kokonaisuutena. Tarkemmin Moodlessa. Hylättyä suoritusta voi uusia Examissa tehtävällä tentillä (2 uusintamahdollisuutta). Osuuden hyväksyttyä arvosanaa voi korottaa Examissa tehtävällä tentillä (1 korotusmahdollisuus).
Ryhmätyön painoarvo on 30% arvosanasta. Ryhmätyöt arvioidaan asteikolla 0-5. Ryhmätyö on kurssin pakollinen suoritus.
Lääkelaskutentti arvioidaan asteikolla hylätty-hyväksytty (0-S). Hyväksytty lääkelaskentatentti on kurssin pakollinen suoritus. Hylättyä suoritusta voi uusia uusintakokeella (2 uusintamahdollisuutta, alustavasti viikolla 50/51 ja 2/2025, päivämäärät ilmoitetaan myöhemmin).

Assessment methods and criteria

Farmakologian osuus arvioidaan asteikolla 0-5. Lääkelaskennan osuus arvioidaan hyväksytty-hylätty. Arviointi kuvataan tarkemmin Moodlessa.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Video lectures, group work, presentations, independent work, exams

Learning materials

Lecture material (in Moodle)
General literature on pharmacology and toxicology
Recommended Literature for medical calculations: Ernvall, Pulli, Salonen, Nurminen and Kaukkila. 2012. Calculation. 9-11. edition. SanomaPro Oy, Helsinki.

Student workload

Lähiopetus 3 h (aloitustunti ja lääkelaskukoe)
Itsenäinen opiskelu, mukaan lukien videoluennot, tehtävät, videoesitykset ja farmakologian osuuden Moodle-koe ~78 h

Content scheduling

Farmakologian osuus 2 op
Lääkelaskennan osuus 1 op

Completion alternatives

-

Practical training and working life cooperation

-

International connections

-

Further information

Aloitustunti lähiopetuksena (pakollinen läsnäolo).
Aloitustunnin jälkeen opiskelijat opiskelevat kurssin sisällöt videoitujen luentojen ja niihin liittyvien tehtävien avulla.
Opiskelijat laativat myös ryhmätyönä videoesityksen ja siihen liittyviä tehtäviä muille opiskelijoille.
Lääkelaskut opiskellaan itsenäisesti Moodlessa.
Farmakologian osuuden tentti Moodlessa.
Lääkelaskutentti lähiopetuksena.