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Drugs: From Discovery to Market (PHRM30008)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Dr Michael Lew
A/Prof Christine Wright
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should:
- have developed a clear understanding of the strategies and processes that underpin modern drug discovery and development.
- have a detailed knowledge of the pharmacological principles that support drug discovery and development, and therefore of the vital role that pharmacologists play in this endeavour.
- be well placed to appreciate future developments and challenges in the field of drug discovery and development as they occur.
Generic skills
By the end of this subject, students will:
• be adept at learning in a variety of ways
• be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge from multiple sources
• have gained experience in independent learning
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
BSc students:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHRM20001 | Pharmacology: How Drugs Work | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BBiomed students:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
This subject cannot be taken if credit has been previously obtained for:
[[534-301]]
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Exam
| During the examination period | 70% |
A written project to be submitted during the second half of semester
| Mid semester | 11% |
2 Multiple-choice online quizzes (5-10 questions in each) Held during the semester
| Throughout the semester | 4% |
Mid-Semester test
| Mid semester | 15% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinators Christine Wright and Michael Lew Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Michael Lew
A/Prof Christine Wright
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
Pharmacology, Rang et al., Churchill Livingstone, 6th edition, 2007.
OR
Principles of Pharmacology, Golan et al., Lippincott, Wilkins & Williams, 2nd edition, 2007. - Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the pre 2008 BSc, New Generation BSc, Biomedicine degree.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Pharmacology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry Major Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Microbiology Informal specialisation Microbiology specialisation Major Pharmacology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry specialisation - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024