After this course you will be able to:
1. describe the basic concepts of the organs (lungs, cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, intestine, nervous system and immune system)

2. describe and explain the formulation of drugs products, with special attention to the tablet

3. analyse tablets by using European guidelines for tablets

4. perform basic pharmacokinetic calculations

5. describe and explain how drugs are eliminated from the body

6. describe and explain the general concepts of where and how neurological and immunological drugs act
7. execute basic laboratory skills
8. design and perform laboratory experiments
9. write a drug file and review the reports of other students

10. develop a research poster

Approaches
A project (e.g. creating a drug file) forms the central part of this course. It will consist of literature search and real experiments in the laboratory. In addition, there will be lectures, assignments, workshops on presenting skills (both oral and poster), and practical work in the laboratory. Every week there is an opportunity to meet an expert in his research area.

A lot of people are taken drug products regularly to decrease the symptoms of their diseases. Even in some cases drug products are used to cure a disease (e.g. bacterial infection). Most drug products are taken orally. Once liberated from the drug formulation, the active compound enters the blood circulation with subsequently distribution throughout the whole body. This will eventually lead to an effect in the body (e.g. decrease in inflammation).

Since active compounds are exogenous the body will try to eliminate the compounds via different routes.

In this course you will learn about the basic concepts of what the drug can do to the body and what the body can do to a drug. Furthermore, you will learn basic laboratory skills which you can apply in your project. In addition, you will be introduced into designing and performing experiments.