Print Syllabus

Syllabus

VM0115 Pharmacology and toxicology, 14.0 Credits

Farmakologi och toxikologi

Subjects

Veterinary Medicine

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
General Pharmacology	2.5	0202
Toxicology	2.0	0203
Pharmacology	9.0	0204
Dose Calculation	0.5	0205

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G2F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 75 credits Veterinary Medicine.

Objectives

The course teaches how drugs and other undesirable substances are metabolised in the body and how they exert both their desired and negative effects, as well as an understanding of why the effects of foreign substances** **may vary between types of animal and individuals. The course provides a basis for continued clinical study and enables an optimal choice of medication based on the conditions surrounding treatment with medication. At the same time, students gain an increased understanding of the negative effects caused by foreign substances in both the patient and the environment.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• interpret and apply fundamental pharmacological and toxicological terms and testing methods;
• account for and explain both the intended and negative/toxic effects of drugs and other foreign substances, as well as the underlying mechanisms in animals;
• account for the causes behind why the effects of drugs and foreign substances can vary both between types of animal and individuals;
• evaluate various treatment methods from a pharmacological perspective;
• calculate drug doses and their dilution;
• account for the significance of drugs and harmful substances in veterinary medicine and the environment.

Content

The course comprises three main components: general pharmacology that addresses terminology and basic knowledge of pharmacology, and the way drugs are dosed, taken up, distributed, metabolised and eliminated from the body, and how drugs and xenobiotics act. Toxicology addresses the harmful effects of xenobiotics on organisms. Special pharmacology aims to integrate general pharmacology and toxicology into deepened understanding of various medical substances.

Lectures address the principles of how undesirable substances are converted in domestic animals (absorption, distribution, metabolism, bioactivation and elimination) and the basic terms in pharmacology and toxicology. Additionally, there will be focus on mechanisms for how drugs and other undesirable substances exert their effects at molecular and cellular level. Discussions will also be held on how the effects at molecular and cellular level are integrated with the system level. Pharmacology lectures and lectures on antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs will address medications that act on various organ systems.

Laboratory sessions and calculation exercises enable students to apply their knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, basic pharmacology and calculate doses and dilutions. The course includes a compulsory dose calculation component. Pharmacological approaches are discussed and presented in groups. Toxicology lectures address the harmful effects of drugs and other undesirable substances including those present in the environment and may be present in animal feed.

Sustainability perspective
The course provides a sustainability perspective to the basic knowledge of how drugs and other toxic substances affect the environment, as well as in-depth knowledge of drug resistance in parasites and bacteria. The course teaches how to use drugs sustainably which will benefit the future of animal husbandry and biology as well as veterinary and human medicine.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written examinations and approved participation in compulsory components.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Transitional provisions

Exams: At least three retake sessions (renewed exams) must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course. Compulsory elements: At least one opportunity for a retake session must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

In addition to the entry requirements, students are advised to obtain knowledge equivalent to the General Mechanisms of Disease and Veterinary Pathology courses prior to the course start.

Responsible department

Department of Biomedicin Sciences and Veterinary Public health