Overview
In this unit, you will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy relevant to your health profession. You will explore the mechanism of action of major drug classes used in pharmacological interventions or procedures in patient management relevant to your profession. You will be required to demonstrate critical analysis of this content and align this with current practice in your respective professions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites:Pre-requisite for all courses except CV69: BMSC11005 Foundations of BiochemistryPre-requisite for CV69: ECHO11004 Biochemistry for Cardiac Pharmacology
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE; Unit coordinator
The written assignment was overwhelming due to the large number of questions. Students valued the knowledge they gained from completing the task but found it tedious.
Consider reducing the number of questions in the written assignment to streamline the assessment task, enhance learning, and prevent student fatigue.
Feedback from SUTE; Unit coordinator
Additional resources or links to short videos on the mechanisms of action of complex drugs could be beneficial for students.
Consider adding supplementary resources, such as short videos, to enhance student understanding of complex drugs.
Feedback from SUTE
Students found the unit material engaging, accessible and easily navigable.
Continue using engaging teaching methods and clear presentation of information to maintain accessibility and student interest.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
- Critically analyse the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines within your health profession.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
All core readings for this unit are provided for free on the unit's Moodle site. If you would like additional readings, you may wish to purchase 'Pharmacology for Health Professionals' (complete details below). This textbook contains relevant information, but it is not used directly in BMSC12014, so purchasing it is completely optional.
Pharmacology for Health Professionals
Authors: Knights, Rowland, Darroch, Bushell, Hatje and Reinke
6th Edition (2022)
ISBN: 9780729544627
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.irwin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Module 1 | Introduction to Pharmacology
Chapter
Module 1 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Unit Overview
Module/Topic
Module 2 | Introduction to Pharmacodynamics
Chapter
Module 2 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 1
Module/Topic
Module 3 | Introduction to Pharmacokinetics
Chapter
Module 3 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 2
Module/Topic
Module 4 | Introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Drug Development
Chapter
Module 4 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 3
Module/Topic
Module 5 | Common Prescription Drugs I
Drugs for cardiovascular diseases
Chapter
Module 5 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 4
Introductory Pharmacology Quiz Opens: Week 5 Monday (5 Aug 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
Introductory Pharmacology Quiz Due: Week 5 Friday (9 Aug 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vacation Week | Catch-up, Assessment Preparation, Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 6 | Common Prescription Drugs II
Drugs for diabetes mellitus
Chapter
Module 6 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 5
Module/Topic
Module 7 | Pharmacology in Practice I
CG95/CM40: Emergency cardiovascular drugs I
CV69: Drugs used in echocardiography procedures I
Chapter
Module 7 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 6
Module/Topic
Module 8 | Pharmacology in Practice II
CG95/CM40: Emergency cardiovascular drugs II
CV69: Drugs used in echocardiography procedures II
Chapter
Module 8 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 7
Written Assignment Due: Week 8 Friday (6 Sept 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Module 9 | Pharmacology in Practice III
CG95/CM40: Drugs for emergency respiratory conditions, allergic reactions and endocrine disorders
CV69: Drugs which affect echocardiographic findings
Chapter
Module 9 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 8
Module/Topic
Module 10 | Pharmacology in Practice IV
CG95/CM40: Emergency CNS drugs and antidotes
CV69: Drugs which cause cardiotoxicity
Chapter
Module 10 of the Pharmacology Handbook (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 9
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Module 10
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Test Opens: Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
Online Test Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
Contact Details for Teaching Staff
The unit coordinator for BMSC12014 is Jordon Irwin. Jordon can be reached via email at j.irwin@cqu.edu.au, by phone at (07) 4923 2550, and through the Q&A forum on Moodle.
Unit Modules
BMSC12014 comprises three main blocks of content: 'Introductory Pharmacology' (Modules 1 to 4), 'Common Prescription Drugs' (Modules 5 and 6) and 'Pharmacology in Practice' (Modules 7 to 10). Students from all courses complete the same 'Introductory Pharmacology' and 'Common Prescription Drugs' modules. The 'Pharmacology in Practice' modules are course-specific to ensure that you learn about drugs directly relevant to your healthcare profession.
Lectures and Tutorials
The lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and available on the unit’s Moodle site. Live tutorials are delivered weekly on Zoom with ISL to three campuses: Cairns, Rockhampton, and Townsville. Please refer to the CQU Handbook for specific times and room locations. The tutorials are also recorded and made available for later viewing on the Moodle site.
Readings in this Unit
All core readings for this unit are available for free on the Moodle site, with each week's chapter noted in the Unit Schedule above. If you would like to do additional reading, you are welcome to purchase the following textbook: Pharmacology for Health Professionals by Knights, Rowland, Darroch, Bushell, Hatje and Reinke. Please note that this textbook is not directly used in the unit, so purchasing it is completely optional.
Unit Study Commitment
As per Australian education standards, this unit requires a total study commitment of 150 hours over the term. Here is a suggested weekly study schedule for BMSC12014:
- 3-4 hours watching lectures and tutorials
- 1-2 hours completing the weekly readings
- 2-3 hours completing the weekly revision activities
- 2-3 hours preparing for the Introductory Pharmacology Quiz, Written Assessment or Online Test
1 Online Quiz(zes)
A solid understanding of molecular drug targets, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug development is essential for understanding the use of drugs in healthcare. After covering these concepts in Modules 1 to 4, you will complete an online quiz.
Introductory Pharmacology Quiz details:
- Opens - 12:01 PM (AEST) on Monday 5th August 2024 (Week 5)
- Closes - 12:01 PM (AEST) on Friday 9th August 2024 (Week 5)
- Concepts assessed - Modules 1 to 4 (the 'Introductory Pharmacology' modules)
- Attempts allowed - one (1)
No collusion, use of ChatGPT/OpenAI or group work is permitted when completing the Introductory Pharmacology Quiz.
1
Other
Week 5 Friday (9 Aug 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
The Introductory Pharmacology Quiz will end once you click submit, when the time limit is exhausted, or when the due date and time are reached.
Week 6 Friday (23 Aug 2024)
The Introductory Pharmacology Quiz will be graded manually, and the results will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of the due date.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
2 Written Assessment
In this assessment task, you will use the scientific literature to complete a series of tasks. Some activities will have the required sources provided, whereas for others, you will need to conduct your own research.
To answer the questions, you must critically analyse the scientific literature and discuss the indications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, precautions and/or applications of drugs which are used in your health profession. The questions and resources necessary for completing this assignment are available on the BMSC12014 Moodle site.
No collusion, use of ChatGPT/OpenAI or group work is permitted when preparing your assignment.
Week 8 Friday (6 Sept 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
In the absence of an approved extension, a 5% late penalty will be applied for each day the assignment remains unsubmitted.
Week 10 Friday (20 Sept 2024)
Results and feedback will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of the due date.
An overview of the assessment criteria is as follows:
- Knowledge and understanding: Provide accurate and comprehensive information regarding the mechanism of action, routes of administration, indications, side effects, drug interactions, precautions, contraindications and/or applications of drugs relevant to your health profession.
- Critical thinking: Demonstrate critical analysis of decision-making processes and scientific literature.
- Research: Distinguish between scholarly and non-scholarly sources of information, with only peer-reviewed journal articles used as references.
- Communication: Write response which are coherent, concise and demonstrate correct spelling and grammar.
The Written Assignment will be marked according to a detailed marking rubric which will be available on the Written Assignment information page on Moodle.
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
- Critically analyse the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines within your health profession.
3 Online Test
In Week 12 of the term, you will complete an Online Test.
Online Test details:
- Opens - 12:01 PM (AEST) on Monday 30th September 2024 (Week 12)
- Closes - 12:01 PM (AEST) on Friday 4th October 2024 (Week 12)
- Concepts assessed - Modules 5 to 10 (the 'Common Prescription Drugs' and 'Pharmacology in Practice' modules)
- Attempts allowed - one (1)
No collusion, use of ChatGPT/OpenAI or group work is permitted when completing the Online Test.
Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 12:01 pm AEST
The Online Test will end once you click submit, when the time limit is exhausted, or when the due date and time are reached.
Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)
The Online Test will be graded manually, and the results will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of the due date.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and drug design
- Discuss the indications, pharmacological action, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of the major medication groups used in your health profession
- Discuss pharmacological applications associated with common procedures undertaken with your health profession
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
