Pharmacology/Medicinal Chemistry I & II

Fall Semester, 2007

Albany College of Pharmacy

Instructors: Dr. Jeffrey M. Voigt (231A), course coordinator, Dr. Carlos Feleder (OB017B), and Dr.
Arnold Johnson (OB104J)

Text: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Bertram G. Katzung, Tenth Edition

Lecture Time and Location: Monday/Wednesday 12-1:20 pm (SC202) and Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-
1:50 (SC202)

Examinations/Grading

Pharmacology/Medicinal Chemistry is organized into a 12 credit, two semester sequence.

Each semester is broken into two three-credit blocks, with exams given in each block determining
the grade for that block. Students must receive a passing grade for Pharmacology/Medicinal
Chemistry I in order to take Pharmacology/Medicinal Chemistry II, III, and IV.

During the fall semester, three exams will be given during each three-credit block (see the
lecture schedule for specific exam dates). Each exam grade will be weighted according to the number
of hours spent on topics covered on that exam (see the lecture schedule for a breakdown of how much
each exam will contribute to the final grade for that block). Letter grades will be assigned for each
three-credit block based on the averages of the three exam grades, according to the scale published in
the Academic Regulations section of the current ACP catalog. In order to preserve the fairness and
integrity of the grading, under no circumstances will an exam be administered to an individual student
early (before it is taken by the entire class). Any questions about exam grades must be resolved within
two weeks of the original exam date and all questions and concerns should be addressed to the faculty
member who wrote the exam question(s). The author of each exam question will be the final authority
concerning the correctness of the answer.

HONOR CODE: An Honor Code system has been adopted by the student body and is published
annually in the student handbook. All individuals involved with this course are expected to have read
the Honor Code Constitution and to abide by its provisions. In the case of a cheating decision for a first
offense, the student will fail the course and will be placed on probation with an open letter detailing the
event placed in the student’s file. In the case of a cheating decision for a second offense, the student
will be expelled from the College and a letter explaining the reason for the student’s expulsion will
become part of the student’s permanent record.

Missed Examinations:

Students who miss an exam because of sickness or a family emergency may take a make-up
exam. Students missing an exam must verify the reason for missing the exam as soon as possible by
providing a written statement from a physician in the case of illness or a written statement from the
student, in the case of a family emergency. The make-up exam may be multiple choice, essay/short
answer, or oral, at the discretion of the instructor.

Student Responsibilities:
 Students are expected to complete the reading assignments in a timely fashion. Reading
assignments are provided to reinforce and complement the information presented in lecture.
Students will be responsible for material covered in lecture, in the assigned text chapters, and in any
assigned problem sets or case studies.

Procedure for Addressing Course Concerns

Students are encouraged to discuss concerns about grading and other academic issues with
faculty according to the following sequence. The first step in the appeals process is to discuss the
concern with the faculty member directly involved. The appeals process must be initiated within two
(2) weeks of the examination, assignment or academic incident that is the subject of the appeal. If the
concern is not resolved satisfactorily through discussion with the faculty member, the student should
consult the Course Coordinator. In the event that a mutually acceptable resolution is not achieved with
the Course Coordinator, the student may appeal in writing to Dr. Millington, acting chair of the
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. If the issue is still unresolved at this stage the student may
appeal in writing to Dean Denio, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The final step in the appeal
process is to submit a written appeal, including any supporting documents, to Dean Boroujerdi. The
decision of the Dean Boroujerdi is final.

Educational Outcomes Addressed by the Course:

Ability Based Outcomes

I. Thinking Abilities: Think critically, solve complex problems, and make informed,
rational, responsible decisions within scientific, social, cultural, legal, clinical, and
ethical contexts.

A. Identify, retrieve, understand, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information

needed to make informed, rational, responsible, ethical decisions.

B. Solve complex problems that require an integration of one’s ideas and values within the
context of scientific, social, cultural, legal, clinical, and ethical issues.

C. Display habits, attitudes, and values associated with mature critical thinking.

This outcome is a focus of the course. Students are required to to use thinking abilities to analyze case
studies, problems related to data taken from the research literature and problem sets/study questions.
These skills are assessed indirectly through in class exams, quizzes, and problem sets.

II. Communication Abilities: Communicate clearly, accurately, and persuasively with

various audiences using a variety of methods and media.

A. Read and listen effectively.

B. Effectively communicate in speaking and writing, choosing strategies and media that are
appropriate to the purpose of the interaction and to the ideas, values, and background of
the audience.

This outcome is briefly addressed through discussion of case studies, scientific data, and preparation of
written responses to study questions.
Professional Practice Based Outcomes
I. Provide Pharmaceutical Care: Pharmaceutical care is the responsible delivery of drug
therapy to achieve optimal outcomes towards improving a patient’s quality of life.

C. Interpret and evaluate pharmaceutical data and related information needed to prevent or
resolve medication-related problems or to responed to information requests.

Decisions made in the delivery of responsible drug therapy are often guided by the knowledge
and understanding of chemical properties and pharmacological activities of drugs. The properties of
drugs contributing to efficacy, adverse reactions, and drug interactions will be examined through
lectures and active exercises. This course prepares students for the application of chemical and
pharmacological knowledge in the provision of pharmaceutical care/pharmacotherapy. This outcome is
moderately addressed and will be assessed through problem sets, study questions, and in class exams.

Course Objectives:

- Students will be introduced to basic principles which govern the actions of drugs.
- Students should gain an in depth understanding of dose response curves, including
quantitative aspects of drug-receptor interactions.
- Students will become aware of how specific modifications of drug structure might alter
the activity of the drug.
- Students will become aware of chemical and physiological factors which affect drug
absorption, distribution, and excretion.
- Students will become familiar with possible pathways of drug metabolism and how
these metabolic alterations may change drug action.
- Students will appreciate how different routes of administration affect drug
bioavailability, distribution, and excretion.
- Students will become familiar with the effects of age, gender, genetic background, and
disease states on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
- Students will become aware of different classes of drugs used to treat various endocrine
disorders, infections, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and cancer including the
specific mechanism of action, the associated structure-activity relationships, the
pharmacokinetics, and the adverse reactions of each class of drugs covered (please see
the weekly topic outline for a listing of the individual classes of drugs that will be
covered).
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physiological basis for the disease
state that is pertinent to the therapeutic applications of each drug class.