• Course Number: GMS 6504
• Credit Hours: 2 credit hours
• Course Format: This online course is tailored for asynchronous distance learners.
• Course Syllabus: View Full Course Details

Course Description

This 2-credit course is for basic and clinical scientists and others that wish to learn complex pharmacological principles and other advanced topics in the areas of drug design, development and mechanisms. This course is intended to build upon the fundamentals presented within GMS 6551.

Topics to be discussed include receptor theory, pharmacological assays, binding, receptor biology and molecular docking, among others.

Concepts are taught using a combination of online lectures and online problem sets. The problem sets are designed to help the student reinforce and understand these fundamental concepts. The ultimate goal is for students to develop an understanding of the core principles of medical pharmacology and therapeutics, as well as the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary to study pharmacology and therapeutics in the context of human disease.

Prerequisites

This course requires a BA or BS and a strong science foundation with at least five full semester courses related to biology, chemistry and/or physics. In addition, students must pass GMS 6551 prior to taking this course.

Schedule

This course is designed to be taken as an elective in the medical physiology and pharmacology master’s degree program.

Course Goals

Successful completion of this course will prepare students to study pharmacology and therapeutics in the context of translational research and specific human physiologies and pathophysiologies. These students will be able to:

1. Understand advanced pharmacological principles, including receptor theory, pharmacological assays and modes of binding.
2. Understand complex pharmacological applications, including receptor biology, target identification and in silico molecular docking.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply pharmacological principles of clinical and basic science relevancy through multiple choice examinations, written answer examinations and homework.