COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

CORE COURSES:

• Advances in Pharmacology

Weekly series of presentations on research articles by students on current topics in pharmacological research (journal club).

• Medical Pharmacology

Our course in Medical Pharmacology is designed to prepare the student for the clinical study of therapeutics by providing a knowledge of the manner in which drugs modify biological function. The course includes a systematic study of the effects of drugs on different organ systems and disease processes, the mechanisms by which drugs produce their therapeutic and toxic effects, and the factors influencing their absorption, distribution and biological actions. The course consists of a combination of lectures, DVD demonstrations, problem based learning sessions & small group discussions. The lecture sequence has been coordinated with the medical courses in Pathology and Pathophysiology and the schedules for these courses have been subdivided into different subject or organ blocks to facilitate learning across disciplines. Learning objectives for each contact hour have been developed and are posted on-line. Defined learning objectives are intended to help assist our students in mastering the content of each session, and for preparing for exams scheduled at the end of each subject block. Interactive self-assessment exams have also been developed, and are posted on the Med Pharm course web site.

• Pharmacological Research Methods I & II
  

Experimental design employing state-of-the-art molecular biology and other techniques in pharmacological research 

• Pharmacology Seminar
  

Weekly seminars presented by faculty and invited speakers in the field of medical pharmacology and physiology

• Principles of Pharmacology I & II

Designed to provide basic physiological principles and the elements of interaction of drugs with biological systems

ELECTIVES:

FALL & SPRING ELECTIVES:

• Pharmacology Educational Portfolio (ePortfolio)
  

This graduate elective will stimulate self-directed learning by requiring students to reflect on their own learning style, and by developing an educational portfolio using a wiki format. In the portfolio, students will be asked to weekly reflect on curricular content (covered in other graduate courses), laboratory research activities (e.g. what progress was made, analysis & self-interpretation of their results, experimental design, hypothesis testing), community service activities (summarizing what they have done, reflecting on what they have learned, and why they believe what they have done is important), their personal professional goals, and evaluation of progress towards meeting their goals. Students will also be required to periodically comment on other student’s educational portfolios.

This is an independent study course that fosters self-directed learning involving the posting of reflective essays on a course wiki engine (doku wiki) hosted on a Tulane University server. During the semester access to each student’s wiki site will initially be restricted to those registered for the course and the course director. Other students can make comments and suggestions on other student’s pages on a “Discussion” section attached to each wiki page. At the end of the semester students are required to post a final “public” version of their portfolio at a url that outside viewers can read (but not edit). For more information, see the course syllabus.

• Pharmacology Lab Research

Independent laboratory research project(s) carried out in the laboratory of a funded principle investigator in the department of pharmacology.

• Masters or Doctoral Dissertation Research

This course is for those working on either their Masters or Doctoral thesis.

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SPRING ELECTIVES:

• Advanced Topics in Cardiobiology

Student-led presentation & discussion of recent research articles in the field of cardiovascular pharmacology & physiology. Each class session will typically consist of the presentation of 2 recently published research papers, with 3-4 students presenting the discussion of each paper. The three primary objectives of the course are to: 1) increase the depth & breadth of your knowledge about current "hot" topics of basic research; 2) to further develop your ability to critically evaluate a research publication; and 3) to give you additional experience at presenting & explaining scientific data.

• Cellular Control Mechanisms
  

Offers an insight into factors controlling cellular growth and control mechanisms for regulation at the biochemical and molecular level

• Endocrine Pharmacology
  

Deals with the interaction of drugs and other environmental chemicals with the endocrine system. Emphasis is on the female sex hormone, estrogen, and estrogenic drugs and chemicals. Discussions and presentations will range from basic mechanisms of action of steroid hormones to environmental impact of hormonally active chemicals to which we are commonly exposed (so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals). Course consists of weekly student-led analysis of a case study that illustrates a significant aspect of endocrine pharmacology. This product-based-learning approach emphasizes acquisition of pharmacology reasoning skills as well as experience in electronic communication and teamwork. Course long projects result in products for the Internet.

• Neuropharmacology

Student-led presentation & discussion of recent research articles in the field of neuroscience & neuropharmacology. Each class session will typically consist of the presentation of 2 recently published research papers, with 3-4 students presenting the discussion of each paper. The three primary objectives of the course are to: 1) increase the depth & breadth of your knowledge about current "hot" topics of basic research; 2) to further develop your ability to critically evaluate a research publication; and 3) to give you additional experience at presenting & explaining scientific data.