AC7049 - Life Science and Pharmacology for Advanced Clinical Practitioners

What will I learn on this module?

The purpose of this module is to allow you to deepen your knowledge of life science and pharmacology science to enable development within your ACP role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. Within your study you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore how various drug groups interact with and affect cellular physiology. Each study day will be specific to a body system and focus on the normal anatomy and physiology and abnormal pathophysiology of all body systems critically exploring disease, and disease processes that affect homeostasis. In accordance with the module title, pertinent drugs will be explored regarding the Administration Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME) process, inclusive of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of the particular drug group, group work will also be utilised to formatively evaluate knowledge throughout the sessions and will prepare you for the written assessment and your MCQ. The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed and self-directed study. The module will be summatively assessed in two parts (1) a timed invigilated assessment (TIA), which will be comprised of multiple choice and short answers questions relating to life science and pharmacology, and (2) a 3,000-word essay based on a chosen organ dysfunction and evidence based pharmacological intervention.

How will I learn on this module?

This module will be delivered using a variety of teaching and learning methods, which encompass teacher facilitation and student centred learning. This content will be delivered at Northumbria University by lecturers from a multiprofessional background who have specialist experience within primary and secondary care, with knowledge and expertise of advanced clinical practice. The classroom-based sessions will be interactive and will be designed to help you to explore your topic areas identified within your guided study. You will be expected to participate in class discussion and group work, share your own expertise and develop debate and make recommendations for practice.

Although most of your study for this module will consist of either classroom based work, or guided study, there are additional hours to be spent in independent study. These are intended to encourage you to pursue areas of study that are not identified within the guided study, but may be related to or pertinent to the topic area being studied.

During this module, learning networks between peers and practice colleagues will be encouraged and facilitated by the module utilising eLP discussion boards and/or social media, inspiring classroom links to interact with your professional practice. Peer support sessions will be incorporated into most of the classroom days, and will be based upon structured group activities. The purpose of these sessions is to enable you to explore ideas from the module in depth with your colleagues, as well as providing an opportunity to receive and offer constructive feedback on the learning process.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by the module team, who have specialist experience within primary and secondary care and knowledge and expertise of advanced clinical practice, through formative feedback in the group led seminars and available in tutorials throughout the module. You will also receive feedback from your peers as many of the activities are designed to be student led with module tutor facilitation. Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email and the electronic learning portal.

You will be able to access both library and student support services. The latter is offered via a 24 hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and an Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online.You will be allocated an individual tutor for the duration of the programme who will provide appropriate pastoral support and guidance.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will critically discuss the manifestations of pathology and analyse the consequence upon health status.
2. You will apply a critical understanding of normal and altered physiology and relevant pharmacology and pharmacological interventions.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will demonstrate a critical awareness of the mechanism and action of common drugs used within the students’ specific area of clinical practice. This will include drug indications and contraindications and routes of safe administration.
4. You will evaluate quantitative research relating to altered physiology

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will critically reflect on your learning and its application to your advanced clinical practice.

How will I be assessed?

Formative

There will be regular multiple-choice questions and student presentations during the module and, through academic and peer feedback, which will enable you to reflect on your learning, whilst a mock time-invigilated assessment will guide your learning and future self-directed study.

Summative

You will be expected to:

a) Electronically submit a 3000-word critical appraisal of literature based on a relevant organ dysfunction and evidence based pharmacological intervention of your choosing. This will represent 50% of your total mark.
This addresses module learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, and 5.

b) Undertake a timed invigilated assessment (TIA) on life science and pharmacology that will be comprised of short answer questions (SAQ) and multiple-choice questions (MCQ). This will represent 50% of your total mark.

This addresses module learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

The Life Sciences and Pharmology module aims to deepen your knowledge of life science and Pharmacology to enable development within your ACP role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. Within your study you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology, and explore how various drug groups interact with and affect cellular physiology.

The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed, and self directed study, including structured lectures and seminars; within the seminars feedback will be given by lecturers and peers. The module will be summatively assessed through a timed invigilated assessment, which will be comprised of multiple choice and short answers questions and a 3,000 word essay.

Course info

Credits 40

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints