Handbook home
Drug Treatment of Disease (PHRM30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Assoc Prof Christine Wright
Dr Graham Mackay
Administrative Coordinator
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Cancer, disorders of the immune system, cardiovascular diseases and acute and chronic lung disorders are the most common types of afflictions affecting people worldwide. This subject will examine the medicines that have been developed, or are currently being researched, to treat these diverse conditions.
This subject will present the scientific basis of present and likely future treatments of cancer, allergy, acute and chronic inflammation, infection, autoimmunity and transplant rejection, as well as of hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular atheromatous disease and metabolic syndrome.
You will examine current knowledge of the pathogenesis of these disorders and the mechanisms of action of the major classes of drugs used to treat immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases will be considered in the context of these systems and processes. The importance of biotechnology to these therapeutic areas will also be considered.
Intended learning outcomes
- On successful completion of this unit, students will have developed a solid understanding of the pharmacology of drugs used to treat immunological, oncological, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
- Students will also gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutic drugs.
Generic skills
By the end of this unit students will:
- Have an understanding of the scientific basis of the action of drugs.
- Be adept at learning in a range of ways.
- Be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge pertaining to drugs.
- Be able to integrate key pharmacological and immunological principles.
- Participate in collaborative learning.
- Have a broad understanding of the process of drug development and utilisation, with a high regard for ethics and safety.
Last updated: 20 March 2025