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Pharmacology for Health Professionals (PHRM90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinators
Dr Michelle Hansen
Dr Rosa McCarty
Administrative Coordination
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.a
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject extends the students' knowledge of the fundamental pharmacological principles of medication management, which can be adopted and utilized in the advanced practice setting. Students will use the foundational knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics, in order to critically analyze how medications affect physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes.
With a greater appreciation of the action of drugs on body processes, students will be able to determine which medications should be administered to particular patients in order to ensure therapeutic effects are optimized and adverse effects are minimized. Students will articulate the key pharmacological characteristics of drug classes, as well as be able to derive and understand the specific nuances of individual drugs.
This focus will ensure that students use critical thinking and problem solving abilities to facilitate them to prescribe, administer, monitor and evaluate medications in a rational and effective manner. Please note that this subject is conducted through the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should:
- Analyse critically the effects of drugs on body processes;
- Apply the core concepts of pharmacology (including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) to evidence-based practice;
- Use appropriate problem solving abilities in understanding the therapeutic and adverse effects, contraindications and precautions for medications;
- Critically evaluate the pharmacological characteristics of an individual drug based on information about the drug class;
- Demonstrate well developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills in applying pharmacological knowledge to advanced practice settings; and
- Use problem solving skills in determining the most appropriate medication to prescribe a patient with complex health care needs.
Generic skills
By the end of this subject students will:
- Be adept at learning in a range of ways;
- Be able to examine, critically synthesise and evaluate scientific and clinical information;
- Refine their written communication skills.
- Participate in collaborative learning;
- Be familiar with selected online learning tools;
- Recognise the value of research evidence to clinical practice.
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 31 October 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Test 1: A test comprising of multiple-choice and extended answer questions that cover the topics in weeks 1 and 2.
| Week 3 | 5% |
Mid-Semester test: A test comprising of multiple-choice and extended answer questions that cover topics in weeks 1-6, inclusive.
| Week 7 | 20% |
A take-home written assignment that students will have 10-12 days to complete. The task will incorporate 2 extended response questions in case study format. The focus of the assessment will be the application of the pharmacology covered in weeks 1-10 and will utilise research, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 2 x 800 words
| Week 10 | 30% |
End of semester written examination: A written exam comprised of multiple choice and extended answer questions. The questions cover topics covered across the entire semester.
| During the examination period | 45% |
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Coordinators Michelle Hansen and Rosa McCarty Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 36 hours lectures Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinators
Dr Michelle Hansen
Dr Rosa McCarty
Administrative Coordination
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.a
Last updated: 31 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A number of textbooks are suitable for this course. Advice will be given to students.
- Subject notes
Level: 5th Year
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 October 2023