Biomedical Pharmacology 705 is a graduate level course in pharmacology. Pharmacology is the study of substances (used as drugs) which act on organisms through processes involving binding to regulatory molecules, which activate or inhibit normal physiological processes. The overall objective of Biomedical Pharmacology is to provide the minimum essential knowledge in pharmacology which graduate students in the health sciences must have in order to enter their profession.

COURSE TOPICS AND FORMAT:

General Principles:  Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Metabolism
Autonomic Pharmacology:  Cholinergic and Adrenergic Systems and Drugs
Endocrine Pharmacology
Cancer Chemotherapy and Treatment of Anemias
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
General and Local Anesthetic Agents
Renal Pharmacology
Autacoids, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents, and Treatment of Gout
CNS Pharmacology
Cardiovascular Pharmacology

The course is organized by classes of drugs, usually by their overall targets and actions. Lectures will concentrate on the common characteristics of these agents, with detailed discussions given on a limited number of the most important compounds. Generic names will be used. For each class of drugs, the objective will be to focus on the mechanism(s) of action, the therapeutic indications for the use of the drug class, and the adverse effects. Contraindications, precautions, and important drug-drug interactions will be covered as necessary. Seven sectional exams and a final comprehensive exam will be given.

TEXTBOOK(S) AND OTHER MATERIALS:

Each instructor will provide a detailed syllabus for his/her section. There is no required textbook for the course. If the student desires supplemental reading material, the recommended text is B.G. Katzung’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, McGraw Hill, 9^th edition.

Many instructors post their presentations and supplemental material on the course Blackboard site. Additionally, practice exam questions are also posted on the Blackboard site.

CLASS MEETING TIMES:

The class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8-10 AM during the Fall semester.

COURSE DIRECTOR:

Paul R. Housley, Ph.D.
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience
SOM Campus, Building 1, Room D8
Phone: 803 733-3262
E-mail: housley@med.sc.edu

Registered students in this course may receive more detailed class information by accessing the following link: http://blackboard.sc.edu.

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