Course Descriptions
Elective Pharmacology Courses
Courses offered at Meharry Medical College:
PHARM 705 Cardiovascular Pharmacology
PHARM 722 Neuropharmacology
PHARM 723 Toxicology
PHARM 735 Research Problems in Pharmacology
PHARM 736 Current Topics in Pharmacology
PHARM 738 Carcinogenesis & Cancer Therapeutics
Courses offered at Vanderbilt University:
PHAR 324 Receptor Theory, Cell-Surface Receptors and Signal Transduction
Pathways
PHAR 320 Pharmacological Targets and Mechanisms
PHAR 322 Scientific Communication Skills
PHAR 321 Principles of Drug Action
PHAR 325 Cardiovascular Pharmacology
PHAR 329 Pharmacology of Psychotropic Drugs
PHAR 345 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
PHAR 346 Molecular Neurobiology
Course Descriptions for Pharmacology
PHARM 705. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY. The pharmacology of drug agents exerting major
effects on the cardiovascular system is presented in lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Mechanism of action, basis for therapeutic application, and limiting side effects
of the drug agents are discussed. Research methodology utilized in studying these
agents is also covered. 3 credit hours (Drs. Maleque & Barnett)
PHARM 706. GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY. The pharmacological basis of therapeutics is presented
by means of lectures, conferences, and demonstrations. Emphasis is placed on the factors
governing drug action; dose-response relationships; the relationship between chemical
structure and pharmacological action; the problems associated with absorption, distribution
metabolism, and elimination; and the mechanism of action of the common classes of
drugs. Attention is also given to contra-indications, side effects, and toxic effects
of these compounds. 5 credit hours.
PHARM 710. CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. The course consists of interactive but lecture-like
sessions. Exams are take-home/open-book and focus on critical thinking and using what
is taught in a new experimental setting. The course begins with studies of receptor
identification and characterization in simple cellular settings and then extends those
studies to in vivo formats, using classical methodology. 2 credits hours.
PHARM 715. DRUG METABOLISM. This course covers in depth the concepts involved in metabolism
of lipophillic molecules–identifying Phase I & Phase II enzymes; their location, mechanism,
typical substrates, genetic variation, species variation, inhibition, and drug interaction
and drug design. 2 credit hours.
PHARM 722. NEUROPHARMACOLOGY. This course presents an overview of neuropharmacology,
including fundamentals of receptor theory, neurotoxicology, neurophysiology, and drug
abuse. Mechanisms and problems concerned with neurotransmission are discussed. Emphasis
is given to the neurochemical basis of CNS disorders and drug intervention. Lecturers,
current literature, discussions are included. 3 credit hours.
PHARM 723. TOXICOLOGY. Principles involved in toxicity of drug and chemical agents
are presented. Topics include xenobiotic biotransformation, toxicokinetics, chemical
carcinogenesis, neurotoxicology, metal toxicity, toxic response of skin and respiratory
system, and occupational toxicology. Toxicological mechanisms of action, rationale
for therapeutic measures against effects of toxic chemical agents, the basis for toxicological
pathology, and current issues in toxicology (toxicogenomics) are also covered. Course
format includes lectures and student involvement in critical review of current literature.
3 credit hours.
PHARM 735. RESEARCH PROBLEMS IN PHARMACOLOGY. This is essentially an independent study;
qualified students work with individual staff members in areas not covered in other
available courses. 1-6 credit hours.
PHARM 736. CURRENT TOPICS IN PHARMACOLOGY. By means of lectures and/or discussion
sessions, this course offers the opportunity to evaluate current advances in the field
of pharmacology. Each student enrolled is required to write and submit a critical
evaluation of an assigned, current, published research article. 3 credit hours.
PHARM 737. PHARMACOKINETICS. Offered as a module in Fundamentals of Pharmacology.
This course module is designed to understand the pharmacokinetics principles that
govern the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. Basic pharmacokinetics
parameters are examined using one- and two-compartment modeling. In addition, applications
of pharmacokinetics are examined with respect to clinical situations, and students
are introduced to the use of computer programs in pharmacokinetics. 2 credit hours.
PHARM 738. CARCINOGENESIS & CANCER THERAPEUTICS (cross-listing with Cancer Biology).
This course covers the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenic process induced by chemical,
viral, or physical agents. Major emphasis is focused on the mechanisms exploited in
developing therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Lectures on clinical correlates
are presented by clinical oncologists. 3 credit hours.
PHARM 741. FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY. This course is an introduction to in vivo
physiological mechanisms, anatomical structure of organ systems, and regulatory feedback
pathways responsible for drug metabolism and physiological homeostasis. Classical
studies that shifted the paradigm in a particular area and contemporary research will
be discussed to demonstrate clarity of thinking, focused experimental strategies leading
to genuine discovery, and potential difficulties in interpretation of results of experiments
(cross listing with PHAR 320. Pharmacological Targets and Mechanisms - Vanderbilt
University).
4 credit hours, Fall.
PHAR 799. RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY. Students are required to conduct original research,
culminating in the preparation and defense of a dissertation. 1-12 credit hours, Fall,
Spring & Summer.
Courses at Vanderbilt University that may be taken as electives in the Pharmacology emphasis program (contact Vanderbilt for value of credit hours if not shown)
PHAR 324. RECEPTOR THEORY, CELL-SURFACE RECEPTORS, AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS.
Course covering structure and function of cell-surface receptors and the molecular
bases by which they activate cellular function. Topics include receptor identification;
quantitation of simple and complex binding phenomena; molecular bases for receptor
coupling to GTP-binding proteins; the structure and function of ligand-operated ion
channels, receptor tyrosine kinases, and receptor-induced signal transduction cascades
receptors as oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. 1-3 credit hours, Summer.
PHAR 320. PHARMACOLOGICAL TARGETS AND MECHANISMS. Introduction to in vivo physiological
mechanisms, anatomical structure of organ systems, and regulatory feedback pathways
responsible for drug metabolism and physiological homeostasis. Classical studies that
shifted the paradigm in a particular area and contemporary research are discussed
to demonstrate clarity of thinking and focused experimental strategies leading to
genuine discovery, as well as potential difficulties in interpretation of results
of experiments. 1-10 credit hours, Fall.
PHAR 321. PRINCIPLES OF DRUG ACTION. The mechanisms of drug action are taken up in
a systematic manner. Course includes didactic lectures and parallel, guided readings
on drug discovery and design, based on current advances in basic science and clinical
research. Spring.
PHAR 322. SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS. Techniques in effective oral communication
of scientific research as well as practical experience in research and literature
presentation and in the preparation of grant proposals.
1 credit hour, Fall.
PHAR 323. EXCITABLE MEMBRANES IN NERVE AND MUSCLE. Recent findings concerning the
structure, function, and pharmacology of ion channels. Topics include the relationship
between amino acid sequence, protein subunit structure, and function of both voltage-
and ligand-gated channels; the relationship between channel structure and pharmacology;
the interaction of drugs with channels and receptor/channel proteins, with special
emphasis on the interaction of compounds with different functional channel states;
indirect coupling between ion channels and neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.
Classes include both presentations by the instructors and discussion of recent publications
by students.
PHAR 325. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY. Cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology
from the molecular to the organismal level. Classic experimental studies, molecular
studies, and clinical observations are presented to demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary
approaches in answering complex questions in biology. Students have the opportunity
to identify specific areas or pathophysiologic states for emphasis. Topics covered:
development of the cardiovascular system, regulation of cardiac contractility and
electrophysiology, blood pressure regulation, coagulation, and select cardiovascular
pathophysiologies. 2 credit hours.
PHAR 329. PHARMACOLOGY OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS. An advanced course that focuses on the
mechanism of action of CNS-active drugs, with extensive literature reading and student
presentations.
PHAR 345. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE. An overview of major neural networks,
including examples from motor and sensory systems, as well as higher cognitive and
affective functions. Studies of neural development move from an examination of neurogenesis,
cell fate, and phenotype development to an analysis of invertebrate models and how
they have advanced our understanding of mechanisms involved in axonal guidance, synapse
formation, and apoptosis. Additional lectures covering synaptic and systems plasticity
and models of neural networks and learning and memory are provided. Emphasis is placed
on the integration of anatomical, biochemical, and physiological information. 4 credit
hours.
PHAR 346. MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY. Molecular components and interactions that regulate
neuronal development, signaling, and disease. Classic molecular analysis of neurobiological
processes is coupled with detailed studies of contemporary literature to provide students
a sound foundation for understanding the molecular bases underlying the development
and function of the nervous system. Topics covered include: development of neuronal
identity, axonal transport, growth factors and cell death, axon guidance and synapse
formation, electrical and chemical neurotransmission, regulation of neuronal excitability,
and genetic analysis of signaling and neural disorders. 3 credit hours.
Special Programmatic Features of the Pharmacology Program
Pharmacology Retreat
Each fall, the Department of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University holds a retreat
in conjunction with the Pharmacology graduate program at Meharry Medical College at
a nearby state park. Full participation in the retreat is required for all graduate
students who are in the Pharmacology program at Meharry Medical College. The speakers
at the retreat are students and postdoctoral fellows. Each of the talks by the students
is ten minutes in length and focuses on future research plans rather than past accomplishments.
Although a few minutes of the presentation are used to explain the research problem
under study, its importance, and what has been learned to date, the students are expected
to spend the majority of the presentation explaining what they want to accomplish
or learn in the coming year and what strategies they will employ to do so. This emphasis
on the future tense encourages a great deal of input, discussion, and critical consideration
of the project at a level of intensity that would not necessarily occur following
presentations of already completed work. Furthermore, by learning the methodologies
being established in different laboratories, participants in the training program
can more readily learn from one another, rather than "reinvent the wheel." Important
collaboration and "crash courses" in different technologies have emerged because of
this retreat, and this mode of scientific exchange has fostered an acceleration of
the productivity of graduate students and participating mentors alike.
Pharmacology Graduate Students Enrichment Club
This club is run by Meharry Medical College students and mentored by Dr. Eltom. It
meets every two weeks in the West Basic Science Building 3rd floor conference room
to heavily discuss books/articles and develop an in-depth understanding of concepts
in pharmacological sciences or relevant biological sciences. In the past, discussions
have covered a textbook of receptor pharmacology; a workshop for Reference Manager
and its application in citation management for writing fellowships, theses, and manuscripts;
PowerPoint presentation skills; ask-the-expert sessions, to discuss a technique by
somebody who does the assay routinely, either graduate student or invited guest; and
other topics. As some of these topics and workshops are integrated into required elements
of the core curriculum for the Ph.D., graduate students in the Pharmacology program
identify the needs addressed in this enrichment club on an annual basis.
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