Learning objectives

At the end of the course the student will have:
• knowledge of specific classes of drugs affecting the central and peripheral nervous system, pain and inflammation, the hormonal system (in particular steroids, thyroid hormones and calcium homeostasis). For each class of drugs, knowledge of: chemical-physical properties, structure-activity relationships (SAR), development and optimization, mechanisms of interaction with the biological target, biotransformation, and toxic effects is required.
• Understanding of the mechanisms of action at the molecular level.
• Ability to identify pharmacophoric structures and to relate the chemical-physical characteristics to the pharmacological and possibly toxicological effect.
• Ability to identify the application of drugs in the related pathologies, based on the identification of pharmacophore structures

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists of a written test that will cover the entire program developed in class.
The test lasts 120 minutes and is divided into open-ended questions (relating to specific classes of drugs included in the program, about 30% of the test) and multiple choice questions (about 70% of the test). At the request of the student, and only if the written test has been passed (evaluation ≥18/30) it is possible to integrate the written test with an oral test lasting 20 – 30 minutes.

Evaluation criteria

The exam will evaluate the correctness of the proposed solutions, the ability of critical reasoning, the quality of the presentation and the competence in the use of specialized vocabulary.
Mark out of thirty: oral (optional from 3/30 to +3/30.