PHA3021 · Drugs in health and disease

Overview

This unit provides you with an historical and current overview of the use of drugs, with an emphasis on the principles underlying the safe and effective use of drugs for the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease. The importance of evidence-based drug therapy is highlighted with an introduction to epidemiological concepts. You will study the pharmacological properties of drug classes used to treat specific respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders, concentrating on the rationale for their use. Pharmacological approaches applicable to the study of existing and novel drugs will be reinforced in your laboratory sessions.

Areas of study: Pharmacology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the major principles underlying the therapeutic use of drugs, including the relevance and assessment of evidence-based medicine;
2. Apply knowledge of the actions of major drug classes to explain their therapeutic applications and potential adverse effects;
3. Use knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action to predict effects in intact organisms;
4. Implement pharmacological experiments to obtain, analyse and interpret data and present this in a written report;
5. Undertake literature based research to source and critically evaluate information relevant to current topics in pharmacology and to effectively communicate ideas in oral, visual or written forms.

Workload

Up to 12 hours per week consisting of: • 6 hours of directed learning including online activities, lectures, laboratories or workshop activities and • 6 hours of self-directed study

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.