FOR5025 Forensic pharmacology
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
FOR5025 Forensic pharmacology is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Southbank and University of the Philippines. It needs FOR5007.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Southbank, University of the Philippines
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FOR5025
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After FOR5025
No unit lists FOR5025 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Overview
This unit builds on FOR5007 Elements of Forensic Toxicology, an introductory unit in aspects of forensic toxicology of relevance to forensic practitioners with a medical background, to deliver more advanced knowledge in drug detection techniques and use of alternative specimens to assist in investigations, teaching of advanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug interactions and aspects of pharmacogenomics relevant to those with both biomedical science and medical backgrounds.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Southbank | Flx blk |
| Second semester | University of the Philippines | Flx blk |
Assessment
- Case study (1,800 words)Written30%
- Analytical case study-based report (1,800 words)Written30%
- Integrated case-based presentation (12 mins + 3 mins Q&A)PresentationCompetency hurdle40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Articulate the specialist applications for specimens in particular types of cases where drug involvement is suspected.
- 2
Critically evaluate key elements to initiate an investigation where drug involvement is suspected.
- 3
Apply concepts of advanced analytical practice with its strengths and limitations in relation to drug detection.
- 4
Attribute complex pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics responses to drugs and be able to apply this to relevant cases
- 5
Articulate the various types of drug interactions of relevance to forensic medicine and their relevance to drug actions.
- 6
Explain and evaluate the common types of genetic variations that can significantly modify drug effects.
- 7
Review and evaluate the key elements involved in cases where drug use has modified behaviour, e.g. in drug facilitated assaults.
Workload and teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
It is expected that you will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.
This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work.
Video-based materials including key lectures will also be available.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FOR5025?
You need FOR5007 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is FOR5025 offered?
In 2026, FOR5025 runs in Semester 2 at Southbank and University of the Philippines.
Does FOR5025 have an exam?
No. FOR5025 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.