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Drug Treatment of Disease (PHRM30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinators
Assoc Prof James Ziogas
jamesz@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Christine Keenan
keenanc@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
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 aetiology of these disorders. 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.
Core concepts in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and their importance to safe and effective therapy will be exemplified throughout. The importance of biotechnology to these therapeutic areas will also be considered.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject student should:
- Discuss the pharmacology of drugs used to treat immunological, oncological, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
- Synthesise these therapeutic approaches to exemplify the key roles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in yielding safe and effective medicines
- Outline the scientific basis of the action of drugs
- Explain how a detailed understanding of disease processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutic drugs
- Integrate key pharmacological and immunological principles
- Critically synthesise and evaluate knowledge pertaining to drugs
- Discuss the benefits and risks associated with therapeutic use of drugs
- Employ skills in collaborative learning
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 benefits and risks associated with theraputic use of drugs
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 |
Breadth students:
Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
534-304 Pharmacology of Therapeutic Substances
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 |
---|---|---|
3 Multiple choice online quizzes (5-10 questions in each).
| Held in weeks 3-4; 6-8; 9-11 | 10% |
MST 1
| From Week 5 to Week 7 | 15% |
MST 2
| From Week 9 to Week 11 | 15% |
Exam
| During the examination period | 60% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Christine Keenan and James Ziogas Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 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
Assoc Prof James Ziogas
jamesz@unimelb.edu.auDr Christine Keenan
keenanc@unimelb.edu.auAdministrative 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.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology. Rang et al. 8th edition, 2016.
- Principles of Pharmacology: the pathophysiologic basis of drug therapy. Golan et al. 4th edition, 2017.
- Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the BSc, Biomedicine degree.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Major Pharmacology Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Major Pharmacology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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.
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: 11 April 2024