Drugs in Biomedical Experiments (PHRM30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinators
Dr Makhala Khammy
A/Prof Graham Mackay
Administrative Coordination
Semester 2
Subject Coordinators
Dr Makhala Khammy
Dr Izabela Szambelanczyk Orval
Administrative Coordination
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject represents a definitive Capstone subject for students completing a major in pharmacology and is equally relevant for all students interested in biomedical research. Students will learn how to design and perform experiments to investigate biological systems. Students will also gain experience in a wide range of molecular and cellular approaches and in analytical techniques used in drug discovery. Students will be provided with the opportunity to apply their experience and discipline-specific knowledge in challenging and authentic, real-world scenarios, before completing a short University-led research project. The assessment will develop and reinforce essential research skills. In their research project, students will work within a small team under the supervision of a University academic to design and conduct a study to investigate their unique research question and learn how to effectively communicate their research and disseminate their findings.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate practical skills relevant to contemporary biomedical research
- Understand the experimental basis of scientific enquiry and apply the principles in practice
- Recognise the importance of, and apply quantitative pharmacological analysis to the characterisation of biological systems
- Evaluate scientific literature and demonstrate skills in hypothesis formation
- Demonstrate skills in critical thinking and problem solving through the design and implementation of experiments and the analysis and interpretation of data
- Employ skills in written and oral scientific communication including good laboratory note keeping
- Recognise ethical considerations in biomedical research
- Demonstrate effective teamwork, self-management, and organisational skills
Generic skills
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Scientific communication
- Small group work
- Evaluation of scientific literature
- Recognition and consideration of ethical issues in research
- Hypothesis formulation and testing
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
BSc students:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHRM20001 | Pharmacology: How Drugs Work | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
BBiomed students:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Breadth students:
Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject coordinator.
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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Mid-Semester Test (MST)
| Around weeks 6-8 | 15% |
University research project report – comprises an abstract, a poster and an oral presentation.
| Weeks 10 to 12 | 15% |
Continuing assessment of scientific research skills including evaluation of a completed laboratory notebook - 2 reports/assignments (approximately 700 words each) as relevant to the skill being developed, and a laboratory notebook.
| Practical reports/assignments are due in weeks 3‐4 and 8-9. Submission of completed laboratory notebook is in week 12 | 35% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 35% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Makhala Khammy Coordinator Graham Mackay Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours One x 4 hour practical per week plus two x 1 hour workshops per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 23 February 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinators
Dr Makhala Khammy
A/Prof Graham MackayAdministrative Coordination
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Makhala Khammy Coordinator Izabela Szambelanczyk Orval Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 72 hours: One x 4 hour practical per week plus two x 1 hour workshops per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 30 June 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinators
Dr Makhala Khammy
Dr Izabela Szambelanczyk OrvalAdministrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 126 students in semester 1 and 63 students in semester 2 applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the School of Biomedical Sciences Current Student Information webpage: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Biotechnology Major Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry specialisation Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Pharmacology Major Pharmacology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 14 March 2025