| Effective Term: | 2027/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Pharmacology and Toxicology |
| Unit ID: | SCMED3010 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (SCMED2011) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 019907 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how they work and has its roots in therapeutics, which aims to reduce the adverse effects of disease. Drug action can only be understood in the context of what else is happening in the body. Therapeutics have a high rate of obsolescence, so particular attention in this Unit is devoted to an appreciation of mechanisms of action of drug classes and in arming you with the basic knowledge and know-how that you will require to keep up with this rapidly changing field. For this Unit students would benefit from prior studies in pathophysiology, immunology and genomics (eg. SCMOL2010, SCMED2010, SCMED2011, SCMOL3020). This Unit includes an on-campus lab over 2-3 days where students are required to participate as part of the Unit assessment. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| Skills: |
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| Other outcomes: |
| O1. | Explain the role of pharmaceuticals and the principles underlying drug action and toxicity |
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| O2. | Describe drug targets, chemical mediators, and the pharmacological effects of drugs on major organ systems |
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| O3. | Interpret and apply principles of pharmacokinetics, including drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, to evaluate drug behaviour in the body |
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| O4. | Critically evaluate and apply methods used to assess drug efficacy, safety and toxicity |
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| O5. | Interpret, synthesise and communicate scientific information related to pharmacology and toxicology |
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| O6. | Apply laboratory and analytical techniques to investigate and measure drug action and toxicity |
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| Unit Content: |
This unit introduces fundamental concepts and knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology. There is an emphasis on molecular and cellular effects of drugs, drug targets, mechanisms of action and drug-receptor interactions. Examples are drawn from drugs affecting the immune system, the heart and vascular system, nervous system and other organ systems. Unwanted side-effects, drug toxicity and safety are considered in the context of mechanisms of drug action, time and dose-dependent factors determining drug action and efficacy and the importance of measurement and experimentation in pharmacology. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Computer simulations |
Tutorial worksheets, tutorial attendance and participation |
20-40% |
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| 2. |
1, 4, 5, 6 |
Practical (lab based) application of theory and techniques, interpretation, reporting and presentation of results. |
Laboratory performance and associated report(s) and/or presentation(s). |
20-40% |
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| 3. |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Application test - to assess knowledge of the core content and the ability to apply this knowledge to interpret and discuss the role of pharmacology and toxicology in different scenarios |
Tests - invigilated written or oral responses to questions |
40-60% |
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