OVERVIEW

The General Pharmacology module will deal with topics related to the study of the mechanisms of action of drugs and all the factors that influence their effects on the human body, reviewing concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the development of drugs.

The Pharmacognosy module proposes to characterise the main derivatives of natural origin, reviewing their active constituents, the therapeutic/toxic effects that they have both at the cellular level and in the different systems of the body, and describing the pharmacological bases related to their therapeutic use and the molecular mechanisms of their effects.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The General Pharmacology module aims to provide students with a solid foundation in relation to the definition of a drug, and everything related to pharmacological disciplines, the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the factors that influence the variability of drug response and the main mechanisms and effects of drug interactions. All aspects related to the development processes of a drug from design to post-marketing will also be covered.

As regards the Pharmacognosy module, skills will be provided relating to the general principles of pharmacognosy, the main plant, animal and mineral drugs, with particular reference to those present in the European and Italian Pharmacopoeia and to all products taken systemically or locally distributed by pharmacies, pharmaceutical corners and herbalists, such as food supplements and medical devices.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is divided into modules and for both will be oral. The exam is conducted by the course owner, supported by a commissioner (if necessary, the exam is conducted by the professor and a PhD student/research fellow, recognised as a Subject Expert by the Degree Course Council), and lasts from 20 to a maximum of 40 minutes, considering both modules. The exam questions focus on all the topics covered during the lectures and will allow the commission to verify the achievement of the educational objectives of the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final grade will take into account the level of preparation, reasoning skills and correlation between the different topics of the program and the appropriate scientific language used during the interview. If the evaluation criteria are not sufficiently met, the student will be rejected and invited to deepen the study using, if necessary, further explanations by the professor. The exam will specifically assess (a) the level of preparation and the notions acquired, (b) the ability to associate compounds of natural origin with their mechanism of action and the correct therapy according to the therapeutic indications, (c) the ability to link the different topics, reasoning and the use of a professionally appropriate language. In detail, a grade between: - 18 and 21 will indicate a modest knowledge of the topics covered and a sufficient ability to place knowledge in the correct clinical context; - 22 and 24 will indicate sufficient knowledge of the topics covered, an adequate ability to deal with the topics transversally and to place knowledge in a clinical context; - 25 and 27 will indicate a good knowledge of the topics covered, a good ability to deal with the topics transversally and to place knowledge in context and more than good ability to place knowledge for therapeutic use; - 28 and 30 will indicate an excellent knowledge of the topics covered, excellent ability to deal with topics transversally and to place knowledge in context and excellent ability to place knowledge for therapeutic use; Honors are provided if the student stands out for an in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact the teacher for further information not included in the teaching sheet.