FA508: Pharmaceutical Biology

• Be able to use scientific methods to conduct experimental investigations
• Be able to use simple statistical or probabilistic models to describe and analyze data
• Be able to use simple physical models and explain the preconditions and properties of the models in collecting and processing data.

General study competencies:
The course requires active participation and knowledge of dialogue-based lectures.

The course will include an extensive use of functions in SDU´s e-learning system, including wiki and blog. Participation in the course therefore requires, that the student masters these functions.
Possibly links can be added where the student can assess their own prerequisites via a test, or can update their knowledge. 

Example of general (cross-disciplinary) study competencies:

• Knows about laboratory safety
• Knows about quantitative and qualitative methods of data production
• Can collaborate in different learning situations
• Can search for information on academic topics in relevant databases
• Can assess the relevance and reliability of the information that is found
• Is familiar with SDU´s digital learning platform and are able to use digital tools for professional production, knowledge sharing and professional presentation

• Describe basic biological systems and functions at different levelse from biomolecular, cellular and organ physiological level to the ecological and evolutionary level.
• Express themselves with professional precision.
• Relate theoretical knowledge to practical experiments and observations.
• Recognize, name and explain the basic chemical structure of the functional groups in biological macromolecules. 
• Describe the structure of a cell and the function of its central organelles.
• Account for the flow of genetic information in a cell, including regulation of gene expression.
• Describe cell division and link this to inheritance.
• Explain basic genetic laws, and make simple heredity calculations based on these.
• Explain homeostasis of selected components at the organ and organism level in connection with the functions: respiration, water-salt balance, temperature regulation.
• Explain the physiological function of selected organ systems including heart, lungs, kidneys.
• Explain the function of the major hormones in mammals.
• Explain the basic principles of evolution.
• Integrate knowledge from biology and biochemistry.
• Describe the basic structure and functions of living organisms at levels from biomolecules to multicellular organisms,
• Describe the variation in the structure and the relationship between structure and function in plants, fungi and animals,
• Give an account of the pedigree of life and the phylogenetic system of plants, fungi, and chordates,
• Identify selected plants and fungi,
• Identify tissue types as well as anatomical and morphological structures in plants, fungi, and animals,
• Explain essential types of plant and fungal substances,
• Describe reproduction, life cycle, and embryology of selected plants, fungi, and animals (including zoonoses).

• Biological macromolecules, structure and function.
• Biomembranes and cell structure.
• Enzymes and biological redox processes.
• Metabolism: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, respiration and oxidative phosphorylation.
• Cell cycle, meiosis and mitosis and their control. Flow of information from gene to protein.
• Introduction to genetics.
• Physiological regulation of body temperature and water- and salt-balance.
• Exchange and transport of respiratory gases.
• The endocrine system.
• Evolution, phylogeny of life and biological systematics
• For plants, fungi, and animals, subjects also include:
• Histology, anatomi, and morphology.
• Reproduction and embryology.
• The chemical composition of plants and fungi, with focus on compounds with medical relevance (use/toxicity).
• Classification of plants using the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.).
• Zoonoses and life cycles of  parasites.

• Intro phase: 40 hours
• Skills training phase:50 hours, hereof tutorials: 30 hours and laboratory exercises: 20 hours

• Solution of weekly assignments in order to discuss these in the exercise sections.
• Solving the project assigments
• Self study of various parts of the course material.
• Reflection upon the intro and training sections.