Foundation I

Catalog description

The Foundations 1 course is designed to provide pharmacy students with a fundamental understanding of current concepts in cellular & molecular biology and the physicochemical properties of drugs. Focus is placed on using information to understand drug mechanism of action, to select and interpret patient lab test data, and to learn how biotechnology is used for drug testing and manufacture. Students will also learn how to assess physicochemical properties of drugs and predict how these affect drug efficacy and potentially contribute to adverse effects. During blocks 1 and 2, students are provided with an overview of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function, virus biology, cellular signal transduction, human nutrition, genetic regulation, pharmacogenomics, biotechnology, hematopoiesis and CO2/O2 transport, and heme metabolism and anemia. During block 3, students learn about acid and base properties of drugs, functional groups, prodrugs, drug stability, and drug design and…