BM3501: CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

Course Overview

cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Using teaching informed by high-quality research this course provides a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology;
you will learn how the knowledge of physiological processes is directed into identifying drugs targets for disease, which will improve your understanding of drug discovery;
insight into the molecular and cellular action of drugs in the cardiovascular system will prepare you for your final year research project;
wider transferable skills include problem solving, data interpretation and training in the ethical and safety aspects of recruiting human subjects in research.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Fiona Murray

Qualification Prerequisites

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either BI20B2 Physiology of Human Cells (Passed) or BI25B2 Physiology of Human Organ Systems (Passed)
Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course will cover the physiology of the mammalian heart and circulatory systems and the pathophysiology and pharmacology of cardiovascular disease. Lectures will provide an integrated view of the cardiovascular system from the cellular level up to the whole animal. Topics include cardiovascular structure and function, excitable membranes, muscle contraction, intravenous fluids, and the physiology of platelets. Fundamental physiological principles will be discussed in relation to pathologic conditions of the cardiovascular system, such as diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina and atherosclerosis. The mechanism of action of drugs used to treat these conditions will be described in detail to facilitate an understanding of the rationale for current and future therapeutic interventions. Practical work and demonstrations will be used to illustrate the experimental techniques that are utilised to derive knowledge of the cardiovascular system.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

2 x case studies - 10% each

Lab practical - 10%

Exam (2 questions from a choice of 4) - 70%

Resit (for students taking course in Academic Year 2020/21):

Exam (2 questions from a choice of 4)

Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2019/20 and C8 students):