This project was prepared as part of a BioQUEST faculty development workshop entitled BioQUEST Summer 2008 Faculty Workshop Problem Solving in Biology: Data, Tools and Resources from Plant Science at Southeast Missouri State University in June 2008. The BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium is committed to the reform of undergraduate biology instruction through an emphasis on engaging students in realistic scientific practices. This approach is sometimes characterized as an inquiry driven approach and is captured in BioQUEST's three P's (problem-posing, problem-solving, and peer-persuasion). As part of this workshop groups of faculty were encouraged to initiate innovative curricular projects. We are sharing these works in progress in the hope that they will stimulate further exploration, collaboration and development. Please see the following links for additional information:

Upcoming events               BEDROCK Problem Spaces

 
4-H Presentation: Using Drugs 2CoPE
  
 
Authors          Audiences          Overview           Materials          Resources           Future Directions
  

 


Authors

  
 
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Possible Audiences:

College level Biology, Physiology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biochemistry  

 
 


Brief Overview:

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how drugs are absorbed in the body. This module presents a two-compartment model in which students can explore how long it takes for specific drugs to reach a steady state. The half-life of a particular medication can sometimes be found on a the inserts included with prescriptions; students can use the module to explore exactly why it takes so long for certain drugs to become effective.  

 
 
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Project Materials:

PowerPoint
ESTEEM Module (very early version)  

 
 


Resources and References:

Spitznagel, E. (Fall 1992) Two-Compartment Pharmacokinetic Models C-ODE-E. Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA. Yeargers, E.K., Shonkwiler, R.W., and Herod, J.V. (1996) An Introduction to the Mathematics of Biology. Birkhäuser.  

 
 
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Future Directions:

Future versions of the module will include the ability to analyze drugs with longer half-lives, such as synthetic thyroid medications.