PHA3021 Drugs in health and disease
Faculty of Science
PHA3021 Drugs in health and disease is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PHA3021
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After PHA3021
2 units list PHA3021 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit provides you with an historical and current overview of the use of drugs, with an emphasis on the principles underlying the safe and effective use of drugs for the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease. The importance of evidence-based drug therapy is highlighted with an introduction to epidemiological concepts. You will study the pharmacological properties of drug classes used to treat specific respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders, concentrating on the rationale for their use. Pharmacological approaches applicable to the study of existing and novel drugs will be reinforced in your laboratory sessions.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester theme testsIn class test15%
- In-semester laboratory and workshop assessmentsOtherThreshold hurdle25%
- In-semester written assignmentAssignment20%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain the major principles underlying the therapeutic use of drugs, including the relevance and assessment of evidence-based medicine;
- 2
Apply knowledge of the actions of major drug classes to explain their therapeutic applications and potential adverse effects;
- 3
Use knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action to predict effects in intact organisms;
- 4
Implement pharmacological experiments to obtain, analyse and interpret data and present this in a written report;
- 5
Undertake literature based research to source and critically evaluate information relevant to current topics in pharmacology and to effectively communicate ideas in oral, visual or written forms.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures24 hours
- Workshops27 hours
- Laboratories9 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
Up to 12 hours per week consisting of:
- 6 hours of directed learning including online activities, lectures, laboratories or workshop activities and
- 6 hours of self-directed study
Interactive online learning will form a core component of this unit. Lecture recordings will be paired with online learning activities to consolidate key knowledge and provide feedback to check understanding.
Laboratory sessions in this unit provide the opportunity to develop technical skills relevant to the field of pharmacology, as well as obtain, analyse and present data.
In this unit, a student-centered approach is taken to the workshops, in which students will collaboratively work through a range of activities, facilitated by educators, to explore and apply the ideas covered in the online lectures.
The workshops in this unit use specific case studies to explore how biological systems respond to perturbations in external conditions or as a result of disease.
Learning resources
Required resources
Lab coats for all laboratory classes.
Recommended resources
Neal MJ Medical Pharmacology at a Glance 9th edn, Wiley Blackwell, 2020
Rang HP, Ritter JM & Flower RJ Pharmacology 9th edn, Churchill Livingstone, 2019
Where it fits
PHA3021 is part of 1 area of study in the 2022 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Jane Bourke
- Unit Coordinators
- John Ling
- Dr Jennifer Irvine
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PHA3021?
PHA3021 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PHA3021?
PHA3021 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including PHA3032 and PHA3042.
When is PHA3021 offered?
In 2022, PHA3021 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does PHA3021 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include PHA3021?
PHA3021 is part of Pharmacology.