Pharmacology (11cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

According to the schedule announced later by the University of Finland. Each month, lecture recordings and lecture-related material with assignments are opened for viewing by theme.
Mid-term exams are scheduled for April, June and October and are preceded by a review lecture (questioning session).
The implementation of the course is integrated with the implementation of the students of the nurse's medication prescribing training.

Objective

The purpose of the pharmacology course is to provide foundational knowledge about the effects of drugs on the body, their behavior within the body, and the characteristics and clinical use of key drug classes. The course also includes the basics of drug toxicology.

Competencies of the course
Clinical expert competency

Learning objectives
You are able to critically assess and develop your own skills related to prescribing medication and the operational practices of your work unit in patient medication management as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

You apply the principles of effective, safe, and appropriate medication therapy when selecting and prescribing drugs.

You master the basics of pharmacology and drug toxicology and be able to apply them in your work.

You understand and can describe the phases of drugs in the body, the factors affecting them, and the targets of their action in the body.

You command the mechanisms of action of the main groups of drugs, the basics of their therapeutic use, as well as the adverse effects and interactions related to medications.

You are aware of the requirements and principles of individualized drug therapy.

You can analyze the factors affecting the selection of medications, their dosage, and the implementation of treatment, applying fundamental pharmacological knowledge.

You can identify and refer patients who need a comprehensive evaluation of their medication therapy.

Content

General pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and kinetics: the phases of drugs in the body and the factors affecting them, the mechanisms of action and targets of drugs in the body.
The main groups of drugs and their use in the treatment of diseases. Special issues in drug therapy and the most common problems in drug therapy.
Principles and significance of individualized drug therapy.
Clinical toxicology.
Factors influencing the selection of drugs, dosages, and the implementation of treatment applying basic pharmacological knowledge. Monitoring of drug therapy.

Location and time

The study period is scheduled for 24.1.2025 - 9.1.2026
Opening lecture in Teams 24.1. 2025 at 8-9
1st question hour in Teams 21.3.2025 at 8-9
2nd question hour in Teams on 23 May 2025 at 8-9
3rd question hour in Team on 31.10.2025 at 8-9
The individualized contents and tasks of the course are presented in the course's Moodle (University of Eastern Finland)

Materials

Koulu, M. & Mervaala, E. (toim). 2022. Farmakologia ja toksikologia. 11. uudistettu painos Medicina, Porvoo: Bookwell Oy
or
Pelkonen, O. & Ruskoaho, H. (toim). 2024. Lääketieteellinen farmakologia ja toksikologia. 6. uudistettu painos.Karisto Oy, Hämeenlinna

Teaching methods

Video lecture recordings
Live online lectures (introductory lecture and three question hours before midterm exams)
10 learning tasks
3 midterm exams
Final exam

Exam schedules

Intermediate exam 1 opens on 21 March 2025
Intermediate exam 2 opens on 23 May 2025
Intermediate exam 3 opens on 31 October 2025

Final exam 28.11.2025 at 9-11
Final exam retake 9.1. 2026 at 9-11

Student workload

Video lecture recordings 61 h
Live online lectures 4 h (introductory lecture 1 h, question hour 3 x 1 h)
Independent study in total 232 t including
-10 learning tasks
-3 midterm exams (3 x 45 min)
-final exam 2 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The course is conducted in cooperation with the University of Eastern Finland, and the assessment is carried out according to the separate assessment criteria of the University of Eastern Finland.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The course is conducted in cooperation with the University of Eastern Finland, and the assessment is carried out according to the separate assessment criteria of the University of Eastern Finland.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The course is conducted in cooperation with the University of Eastern Finland, and the assessment is carried out according to the separate assessment criteria of the University of Eastern Finland.

Further information

The course is completed entirely online on the University of Eastern Finland's Moodle platform. The University of Eastern Finland organizes the exam. In addition, monthly Moodle assignments are mandatory.