UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

PHA3032 Neuro and endocrine pharmacology

Faculty of Science

PHA3032 Neuro and endocrine pharmacology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2020 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 25%
and 1 other task

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before PHA3032

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After PHA3032

No unit lists PHA3032 as a prerequisite in the 2020 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITE: PHA3011 and one of PHA3021, BMS3021 or BMS3031

Overview

This unit provides an integrated understanding of how drugs affect neuronal and endocrine function. Four major areas are covered: major neurotransmitters within the brain, reproductive endocrinology, metabolism and disorders of pancreatic and thyroid function, mood and pain, and, neurodegenerative disorders. The focus is on mechanisms of action, use and side effects of drugs affecting a range of neuronal and endocrine functions and includes topics such as drugs used in anaesthesia and sedation, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia and psychoses, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, reproduction and contraception, diabetes, thyroid function and metabolism and calcium homeostasis.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • In-semester assessmentThreshold hurdle
    75%
  • Examination (1 hours and 40 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    25%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Apply knowledge of central neurotransmitter and endocrine systems to predict the effects of drugs;

  2. 2

    Integrate and reconstruct knowledge underlying the cellular mechanisms of neuro- and endocrine pharmacology to predict outcomes in the whole animal;

  3. 3

    Present, analyse and interpret data from a range of experiment types and discuss this in the context of current scientific literature;

  4. 4

    Execute experiments in neuropharmacology and endocrine pharmacology to present, analyse and report the data obtained;

  5. 5

    Source, integrate and critically evaluate the scientific literature to address a defined pharmacological problem relating to neuro- or endocrine pharmacology.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures24 hours
  • Workshops24 hours
  • Laboratories12 hours
  • Teaching approachWork-integrated learning
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachRole play
  • Teaching approachCase-based teaching

Two 1-hour lectures and three hours of laboratory or self-directed learning/ tutorial per week

Authentic learning activities will be undertaken to build knowledge and understanding of neurological and endocrine disorders and the therapies used to to treat patients.

Self- and peer-marking sessions will help you develop skills to critically evaluate your own and others' work as well as engaging them in the assessment process

This unit uses a student-centered, active learning approach which aims to encourage the build-up of knowledge and understanding that is required to achieve a deeper level of learning to facilitate efficient use of knowledge

Online activities will be used to help you consolidate and apply key concepts

You will assume the role of a Pharmacology lab head applying for funding to provide them with an understanding of how to promote the value of a research idea

Case-studies focused on neurological and hormonal mechanisms are used to contextualise the Unit content.

Learning resources

Required resources

Nestler EJ, Hyman SE, Malenka RC. Molecular Neuropharmacology 2nd edn, McGraw Hill, 2009.

Rang HP, Ritter JM & Flower RJ Pharmacology 8th edn, Churchill Livingstone, 2016.

Neal, MJ. Medical Pharmacology at a Glance 7th edn, Blackwells Scientific Inc, 2012

Where it fits

PHA3032 is part of 1 area of study in the 2020 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Bradley Broughton
Unit Coordinators
Dr Klaudia Budzyn

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PHA3032?

PHA3032 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is PHA3032 offered?

In 2020, PHA3032 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does PHA3032 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 25% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.

Which majors and minors include PHA3032?

PHA3032 is part of Pharmacology.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available