CCMAS Course Search

The dissertation is a unique opportunity for students to carry out hypothesis-driven research in different areas of pharmacology under the supervision of academic staff. Oral presentations of the project are required (internal and external defence).

Introduction: Definition and basic principles of Psychopharmacology (chemical neurotransmission, transporters, receptors (classes (amines, amino acids, neuropeptides, peptide hormones and gases, their subclasses and distribution in CNS,), receptor types (ionotropic and metabotropic) ion channels and enzymes as targets of psychopharmacological drug action. Roles of the receptors in pathologies and treatment of psychiatric disorders (Myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia Epilepsy, Depression and many others. Developmental Psychopharmacology (Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and other membrane phenomena). Nutritional Psychopharmacology. Drug tolerance (definition, types (metabolic, functional) and other drug effects (cross tolerance, sensitization, withdrawal symptoms); Drug abuse (causative factors (social, environmental and physiological) and drug Addiction, Classes of psychotropic drugs (analgesics (opiates, cannabinoids), alcohol (alcoholism and Korsakoff’s syndrome), Stimulants (nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine), Hallucinogens (LSD, phencyclidine, peyote and mushrooms) and Recreational drugs (Ecstasy and many others), their effects, methods of use, and potential for addiction and dependence. Drug abuse prevention and treatment (detoxification, use of agonists (methadone), anti-craving medication (naltrexone) and immunisation (production of antibodies that remove abused drug from circulation) modalities. Applicable national and international laws and acts governing control drugs.

Introduction: Drug – receptor interaction; affinity and [intrinsic activity; occupancy theory; Rate Theory; Drug receptor interactions; law of mass action, enzyme-substrate interaction. dose- response relationship – Graphical and Derivation of receptor affinity PD2; Competitive Antagonism. The Gaddum-Schild Equation for Affinity constant of competitive antagonists; Non-competitive antagonism, Partial agonist; Competitive non-competitive antagonism. Pharmacodynamic prediction from pharmacokinetic data (one compartment model). Receptor desensitisation, Mechanisms of Post-receptor transduction. Introduction to Biostatistics, Normal distribution, Mean probit transformation, standard Deviation and standard Error. T-tests paired and unpaired, chi- square Test, Analysis of variance, Poisson Distribution. Physiology and Pharmacology courses are the minor and major courses in a BSc Pharmacology programme worldwide. Students must therefore be well grounded in them upon graduation to be able to pursue a successful career. Physiology provides the theoretical basis of normal body function while pharmacology explains how drugs and chemicals exert correction in situations of altered physiology. These two courses transverse all organs/systems of the human body and span 200 to 400 Levels of the BSc Pharmacology programme.

Macroscopic, microscopic and ultra-structure of the kidney. Elements of renal functions. Glomerular filtration. Concept of clearance. Tubular reabsorption and secretion. Renal blood flow. Body fluid and electrolyte balance. Buffer mechanism and pH regulation. Counter-current system. Micturition. Abnormalities of renal functions. Composition and estimation of body fluid compartments. Concept of water and electrolyte balance. Role of the kidney in body fluid homeostasis. 300 Level

Renal pharmacology: Anatomy, physiology and principles of diuresis, comprehensive pharmacology of diuretics (Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics, Loop diuretics (high celling diuretic), Potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone antagonists. Mechanism of action of action, therapeutic uses, examples, adverse effects, contraindications and clinical status of inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase, water and osmotic diuretics, acid forming salt, mercurial diuretics, xanthines, pyrimidines and triazines. GIT pharmacology: Introduction to gastrointestinal diseases. Pathophysiology and causes of peptic ulcer disease (roles of Ach, Histamine, HCl, Gastrin, Prostaglandins and Helicobacter pylori). Mechanisms of action, dosage forms, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses, side effects, contraindications, caution and drug interaction of drugs (Antacids, Proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers, CCK receptor blockers, Antimuscarinic, Antibiotics, Prostaglandins and Cytoprotectives) used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Purgatives, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and Cohn’s disease. Antiemetics and antidiarrheal and treatment of flatulence. 400 Level

Introduction to biomedical research. Types of research designs, literature review and referencing styles. Sampling and sampling techniques. Data analysis and presentation. Principles of ethics in biomedical research, ethical issues in handling, use and disposal of experimental animals, reduction, refinement and replacement (3Rs) regarding the use of animals in research and ethical issues in biomedical research involving humans. WHO and global strategies for ethics in animal and human research.

Each student will be assigned topics in different areas of /issues in Pharmacology to review and present same at seminars. Students are expected to attend all Departmental Seminars.

Students will be posted to recognised and relevant placement areas of their choice during the industrial training. Continuous assessment of students will be undertaken jointly by their industrial-based supervisors, ITF officials and institutional supervisors. Finally, students on returning to the institution will present a seminar on major duties performed and skills acquired during the training. Grades are allotted according to ITF directives.

Introduction: History and scope of / terms used in Toxicology. Toxicological Evaluation. Purpose and Value of ED50 and LD50 determination. General management of poisoning including resuscitation protocol, methods of reducing poison absorption, increasing elimination and antidotal therapy. Toxicokinetics including metabolism of toxic substances. Carcinogens and mutagens. Toxins of plant, bacteria and animal (snake, scorpion, bees, spiders, clostridium and botulinum) origins. Toxicology of ionizing radiations. Toxicity of pesticides, Insecticides (Organochlorine insecticides; DDT; chlorinated cyclodiene insecticides: Organophosphorus insecticides, acute poisoning, delayed neurotoxic effects; Carbamate insecticides; Herbicides; Chlorophenoxy- compounds; Dinitrophenols; Bipyridyl compounds: Fungicides (mention only). Rodenticides: Warfarin and Nafluorantate; Inorganic rodenticides (salts of thallium, barium zinc, and many others) and Fumigants (mention only)). Toxicity of Heavy metals including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, iron, chromium, cyanide and their antagonists. Toxicity of Cosmetic ingredients such as talc, hydroquinone and many others. and Testing. Poisoning and Management of Drug Poisoning. Environmental Pollution. Industrial Toxicology including solvents, vapours and gases (Aliphatic halogenated hydrocarbons; Chloroform; Carbon tetrachloride; Tri-and tetrachloroethylene (briefly); Aliphatic alcohols: Ethanol; Methanol; Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents: Benzene, Kerosene, Carbon monoxide). Toxicology of Food Additives (preservatives, seasoning, flavouring, colouring agents) and contaminants. Forensic Toxicology.

Opportunity identification (Sources of business opportunities in Nigeria. Environmental scanning, demand and supply gap/unmet needs/market gaps/Market Research, Unutilised resources, Social and climate conditions and Technology adoption gap). New business development (business planning, market research). Entrepreneurial Finance (Venture capital, Equity finance, Micro finance, Personal savings, small business investment organisations and Business plan competition). Entrepreneurial marketing and e-commerce (Principles of marketing, Customer Acquisition & Retention, B2B, C2C and B2C models of e-commerce, First Mover Advantage, E- commerce business models and Successful E-Commerce Companies,). Small Business Management/Family Business: Leadership & Management, Basic book keeping, Nature of family business and Family Business Growth Model. Negotiation and Business communication (Strategy and tactics of negotiation/bargaining, Traditional and modern business communication methods). Opportunity Discovery Demonstrations (Business idea generation presentations, Business idea Contest, Brainstorming sessions, Idea pitching). Technological Solutions (The Concept of Market/Customer Solution, Customer Solution and Emerging Technologies, Business Applications of New Technologies - Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual/Mixed Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoTs), Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Renewable Energy and many others. Digital Business and E-Commerce Strategies).