- Course Number: GMS 6520
- 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 will cover the fundamentals of small molecule drugs and therapeutic biologics (e.g. viral-based gene therapy) and their actions in the body. Specific topics include painkillers, alcohol and psychological medications, among others. The course will prepare students for more advanced studies of pharmacology and therapeutics in the context of human physiology and pathophysiology.
Prerequisites
This course requires a BA or BS and a strong science foundation with at least 5 full semester courses related to biology, chemistry and/or physics.
Course Highlights Include
Painkillers, alcohol and psychological medications.
Who This Course Is For
This course is beneficial for individuals wanting to pursue a career in medicine or pharmacy and for professionals in pharmacy, drug development, biotechnology, pharmacology, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, clinical scientists, professors, and researchers.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Intro to the Nervous System
- Autonomic Pharmacology
- Cholinergic Drugs
- Cholinergic Function in the CNS/Alzheimer’s
- Nicotine Addiction
- Adrenergic Drugs
- Opioid Drugs
- NSAIDS
- Anxiolytics
- Alcohol
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- Anti-Parkinson Drugs
- Antipsychotic Drugs
- Ocular Drugs
Learning Outcomes
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:
- Understand the diversity of small molecule drugs and biologics (e.g. viral-based gene therapy) that target the nervous system.
- Understand the mechanisms by which drugs and biologics targeting the nervous system act in the body and at their targets, including the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these agents.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply pharmacological principles of clinical and basic science relevancy by multiple choice examinations, research assignments, and quiz exercises.
Schedule
This is a self-paced course that is offered in the spring, fall and summer.
