PHARMACOLOGY (PHA)

PHA 540, 541 Medical Pharmacology I & II 5 cr each
This course in pharmacology is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the actions of drugs and their clinical uses. Basic principles, including dose-response relationships and receptor theory, are emphasized. Current concepts of drug effects, mechanisms, and sites of action are explored in detail with respect to major classes of drugs. Important considerations are also given to drug interactions and the toxicology of therapeutic agents, chemicals in the environment, and other biologically active substances.

PHA 640, 641 Molecular and Cellular 3 cr each
Pharmacology I and II This is a two-part course which is usually offered annually in the Winter or Spring quarters. It consists of comprehensive in-depth lectures and literature discussions centering on the areas of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. The central theme of Signal Transduction from cellular receptor to amplified responses is analyzed in detail. Specific topics include receptor-ligand interactions, the biochemical and molecular aspects of G-proteins, protein phosphorylation mechanisms, membrane and ion transport, growth factors and proto-oncogenes, and structure-activity relationships and drug design. Students should have taken a comprehensive course in biochemistry prior to enrollment in this course.

PHA 643 Molecular and Cellular Toxicology 3 cr
This course is concerned with the mechanisms by which toxic substances exert their effects at the molecular and cellular level. Detailed analysis of the processes by which toxic materials are absorbed, biodistributed, metabolized and excreted is addressed. The mode of action of how toxic compounds interact with structural proteins and other macromolecules, enzymes and receptors, and the genome is included. Examples of toxicity of the heart, liver, and brain, including teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects are discussed at the mechanistic level.

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