Overview
This unit enables you to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of basic and clinical pharmacology including the way drugs interact with cells and the body. The mechanism of action of major drug classes used in the treatment of disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and central nervous system will be examined at the drug-receptor level. Pharmacokinetics, receptor selectivity, efficacy and the optimum route of administration of pharmaceuticals will also be studied. You will be required to demonstrate critical analysis of this content and align this with current practice in your respective courses.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite CG93 Medical Science and CG95 Paramedic Science: BMED19003 Clinical Biochemistry OR BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry CB77 Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic): BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry AND BMSC12007 Neurological Physiology and Measurement AND MBIO12013 Microbiology for Health Care AND CHIR12002 Neuroanatomy and Systemic Pathology CB86 Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours): ALLH11001, ALLH11005, HLTH11027, PSYC11010, ALLH11004, ALLH12007, ALLH11006 and HLTH12028
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 3 - 2018
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 Student feedback
Whilst there was a significant increase in student's satisfaction with the type of feedback provided to assessment items and the speed with which it was returned, some students feel there is still room for improvement of these metrics.
Staff will continue to make feedback to students a priority. It should be noted that the assessment items submitted in term 1 2018 for this unit were returned within the recommended turn around time and this will be upheld moving forward.
Feedback from Student feedback
Students enjoyed the enthusiastic lecture presentations however felt that this was a content heavy unit.
Unfortunately due to the nature of the field of pharmacology it can be content heavy, however staff will try and identify ways in which the content can be more evenly presented through the term.
Feedback from Student feedback
Students liked the new exam format.
The exam will retain its current format however questions will be altered from term to term.
- Recognise and describe the differing ways in which drugs and chemicals act quantitatively and qualitatively on living organisms.
- Recall and explain the basic priciples of pharmacology - pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug design and clinical trials.
- Recall and classify the major groups of medicines with respect to pathophysiology, their actions and therapeutic applications for medical science, paramedic science and podiatry practice (including local and general anaesthesia, cardiovascular, CNS, gastrointestinal, antimicrobial, respiratory and endocrine).
- Understand how pharmacological laboratory experiments are conducted by using computer aided learning modules, and interpret the results from these experiments (tables/graphs).
- Appraise the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines and communicate this knowledge to your peers
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 10% | |||||
2 - Written Assessment - 15% | |||||
3 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||
4 - Examination - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
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 |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 10% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 15% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
4 - Examination - 50% |
Textbooks
Rang and Dale's Pharmacology
Edition: 8th (2015)
Authors: Rang, Ritter, Flower and Henderson
Elsevier
London London , UK , UK
ISBN: 9780702053627
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Computer-aided learning modules (CALs)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.fenning@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Drug-receptor interactions/Drug targets/Signal transduction (Lectures 1-3)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 2 and 3 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Pharmacokinetcs (Lectures 4-5); Clinical Trials (Lecture 6)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 8, 9 and 10 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Autonomic Pharmacology (Lectures 7-8); Cardiovascular 1 (Lecture 9)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 12, 13 and 14 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Cardiovascular 2-4 (Lectures 10-12)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 21, 22 and 23 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
CNS Pharmacology 1-3 (transmitters, depression, psychosis, ageing) (Lectures 13-15)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 45, 46 and 47 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Drug Poster Due: Week 5 Monday (10 Dec 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
CNS - drugs of abuse, analgesia and anaesthesia (Lectures 16-18)
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 41, 42, 43, 48 and 49 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 50, 51 and 53 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Module/Topic
Chapter
Online course material and PowerPoint notes/lecture videos
Chapters 28, 30, 32 and 35 from the textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prerecorded ECHO360 lecture
Computer-aided learning practical Due: Week 8 Monday (7 Jan 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
All content delivered - revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
All content delivered - revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
All content delivered - revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
All content delivered - revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your teaching team for T2 2018
Your unit coordinator is Dr Andrew Fenning. You can contact me using the forum on the unit's Moodle site, via phone (0749232568) or email (a.fenning@cqu.edu.au).
The unit
BMSC13010 Pharmacology fits into your course as a direct follow-on to BMSC12010 (Clinical Biochemistry) incorporating important aspects of your learning journey to date such as physiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, cardiorespiratory physiology and neurophysiology as examples. Successfully completing BMSC13010 allows for important scaffolding to other third level (advanced) units such as Paramedic and Podiatry specific pharmacology units, clinical measurement units and BMSC13009 Immunology. BMSC13010 is a core unit in several courses, including:
- Bachelor of Medical Science (CG93)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (CL10)
- Bachelor of Paramedic Sciences (CG95)
- Bachelor of Podiatry (CB86)
And as electives for:
- Bachelor of Science (CU18)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Allied Health) (CB66)
Expectations - boldly go......(where others have gone before!)
Despite the rumoured tough nature of this unit that does the rounds (yes - the unit contains new content which will be the first major focus you've experienced on how drugs work) the class always raises the bar! This is illustrated by the excellent success rates (94% of students passed) and the percentage of students who achieved a HD (14%), D (38%), C (23%) or P (20%) grades during Term 3 2017. In an analysis (EasyConnect data - tracks your interaction with Moodle) of why a student achieved a HD, D or C grade compared to a P or F grade the answer appears to be linked to your meaningful engagement. HD students interact with the material almost 2.5 times as much as a P student (Term 3 2017 EasyConnect). That is a significant difference in the level of engagement and potential for learning!
Delivery and study commitment
All material for the unit will be made available from the point of Moodle going live. This unit has all of the lecture content presented over the first 8 weeks of the unit schedule/unit Moodle page. However, these are all pre-recorded during Term 1 2018 and will be available from the point of Moodle "going live". The 8 weeks of content delivery will have an associated recorded ECHO360 lecture (and PowerPoint file) and be delivered in a weekly fashion typically of 2.5-3 hours in length. The PowerPoint file and lecture content are the primary delivery medium for this unit and will be where the examination questions are drawn from. The final 4 weeks of the unit schedule have no content delivery - this has been intentionally left free to allow for consolidation and self managed/directed study and completion of any remaining assessment items. As the examination forms an integral component of your tasks during the term, you should use this time to prepare for this item. You still have the same amount of content/contact time as other units - it has just been designed and delivered in a topic format of 8 weeks x 3 hours rather than 12 weeks x 2 hours.
As with other Units - the design is such that students are expected to spend on average 10-12.5 hours per week (150 hours total) on associated study activities for this Unit. As a rough "time budget estimate" the approximate guide for your study per assessment is as follows:
- Assessment item 1 Drug Poster (10%) - 20 hours
- Assessment item 2 CALs (15%) - 15 hours
- Assessment item 3 Complex reasoning - imaginary drug review (25%) - 35 hours
- Assessment item 4 Examination (50%) - 80 hours
If you consider the lecture content and other activities will total approximately 40 hours, your own study needs to account for the rest (110 hours). Assessment items 1, 2 and 3 have elements which are "time on task" activities to also contribute to the weekly content and hence the generic exam study for this Unit. Use these details as a guide because your study journey and requirements are unique (some students may require less or more hours than suggested to pass).
Brief assessment overview and tips
- Assessment item 1 Drug poster - introduction to all of the main areas of pharmacology by focussed study on one drug/toxin
- Assessment item 2 CALs - a simulated series of laboratory experiments which allow you to visualise drug-receptor interactions and responses
- Assessment item 3 Imaginary drug review - a mini review of your choice of an imaginary drug which requires you to integrate knowledge from the previous assessment items and formulate a mechanism of action and how you would test the drug
- Assessment item 4 Examination - content knowledge and problem solving
Make sure you cite correctly and gather sufficient reference materials for the written assessment items (#1 and 3 in particular) - this was a common feature for a less than optimal grade.
Unique aspects and logistics of Term 3 study to keep in mind
- contains both the Mid-term break week (3rd-7th December) and the Christmas closure break (24th December-1st January) - this means that you effectively have 14 weeks of actual chronological time during Term 3 rather than typical 12/13 weeks in the other Terms = more time
- be mindful of the vacation weeks above interrupting your study (partly the reason why I've made the full unit material available from Moodle going live allowing further time to complete the unit)
- the DE/SE exams from T2 2018 will be held during the Mid-term break week (3rd-7th December); if you have a DE/SE from T2 please check your timetable for the latest information
- with all of the material and content available from Moodle two weeks before term, you will theoretically have 16 weeks of study available - the opportunity is there for you to maximise your potential and manage your study load
1 Written Assessment
Week 5 Monday (10 Dec 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Thursday (20 Dec 2018)
- Recognise and describe the differing ways in which drugs and chemicals act quantitatively and qualitatively on living organisms.
- Recall and explain the basic priciples of pharmacology - pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug design and clinical trials.
- Recall and classify the major groups of medicines with respect to pathophysiology, their actions and therapeutic applications for medical science, paramedic science and podiatry practice (including local and general anaesthesia, cardiovascular, CNS, gastrointestinal, antimicrobial, respiratory and endocrine).
- Appraise the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines and communicate this knowledge to your peers
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Written Assessment
Week 8 Monday (7 Jan 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Monday (21 Jan 2019)
This task requires the submission of data, graphs and responses generated as a result of completing a CAL module. The data tables and graphs you submit will be assessed for ability to interpret and present the generated data in a professional manner. The written responses you submit each contain weighted marks as outlined in the CAL instruction manual and will be marked either correct or incorrect based upon your understanding of key concepts and the interpretation of the results you gain.
- Recall and explain the basic priciples of pharmacology - pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug design and clinical trials.
- Recall and classify the major groups of medicines with respect to pathophysiology, their actions and therapeutic applications for medical science, paramedic science and podiatry practice (including local and general anaesthesia, cardiovascular, CNS, gastrointestinal, antimicrobial, respiratory and endocrine).
- Understand how pharmacological laboratory experiments are conducted by using computer aided learning modules, and interpret the results from these experiments (tables/graphs).
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
3 Written Assessment
- Cholepress - revolutionary blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medication
- Painbegone - provides powerful neuropathic pain relief without any addictive side effects
- Bactofunge - revolutionary antimicrobial (anti-fungal and antibiotic effects) which produces very little antibiotic resistance
Week 11 Tuesday (29 Jan 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (8 Feb 2019)
- Recognise and describe the differing ways in which drugs and chemicals act quantitatively and qualitatively on living organisms.
- Recall and explain the basic priciples of pharmacology - pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug design and clinical trials.
- Appraise the scientific literature relating to drugs and medicines and communicate this knowledge to your peers
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
Examination
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
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.