UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

PHA3042 Modern drug development

Faculty of Science

PHA3042 Modern drug development is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2027 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2027
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 30%
and 2 other tasks

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Requisites

Before PHA3042

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After PHA3042

No unit lists PHA3042 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITE: PHA3011 

Overview

Modern drug development will provide you with an appreciation of the process of discovery, testing, approval and marketing of new drugs. This will include the diseases most likely to be targeted by pharmaceutical companies for drug development; the technical issues underlying drug discovery; the approaches to identify and validate novel targets; rational drug design; the importance of screens including molecular models and high throughput screening; disease models; case studies illustrating the successful development of drugs; future therapeutic directions. Career opportunities in all aspects of drug development will be highlighted.

Offerings in 2027

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus, block

Assessment

  • Laboratory and workshop activitiesPortfolioThreshold hurdle
    30%
  • In-semester assignmentsPortfolio
    40%
  • Final assessment - Exam (2 hour 10 minutes)Examination
    30%

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. 1

    Discuss the steps involved in the drug discovery process, including sources of drugs, how targets are identified and screening processes that can be used to test for desired activity;

  2. 2

    Discuss the steps involved in developing a commercial product from a potential drug candidate, including the relevant regulatory framework and marketing considerations;

  3. 3

    Critically evaluate methodologies and data from experiments in the context of the drug development process;

  4. 4

    Obtain, present and interpret data from pharmacological experiments relevant to the area of drug development;

  5. 5

    Source, integrate and critically evaluate the scientific literature to address an issue in the area of drug development and to communicate this orally, in written form or via a poster presentation;

  6. 6

    Demonstrate effective teamwork skills in the completion of in-class and project activities.

Workload and teaching

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

A case study focussed on drug development is used to contextualise the Unit content

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

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

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

Authentic learning activities will be undertaken to build knowledge and understanding of the drug development process within industry & academia

You will assume the role of a research and development team within a pharmaceutical company to gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the steps in the drug discovery process

Learning resources

Required resources

Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower RJ & Henderson G. Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology 9th edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2019

Recommended resources

Hill R & Richards D. Drug Discovery and Development. 3rd edn. Elsevier, 2021

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Eva Patak
Dr Mark Del Borgo
Chief Examiners
Dr Mark Del Borgo

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PHA3042?

PHA3042 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is PHA3042 offered?

In 2027, PHA3042 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does PHA3042 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

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
Available